Nokia Siemens Networks has unveiled a network infrastructure solution that enables IP connectivity for underserviced areas.
Speaking at the launch in Midrand this morning, Linda Khumalo, Nokia Siemens' head of the southern African sub-region, said the network infrastructure solution is unique, as it allows rural connectivity to be built village-by-village.
Called the "Village Connection", the network infrastructure solution is made up of GSM access points and regional access centres located in villages.
Each access point handles call control and completion for up to 80 subscribers within a village, said Nokia Siemens. Up to 200 access points in different villages aggregate to an access centre, which handles call completion within a particular region.
The company emphasised the solution promotes operational efficiency and allows operators to lower their capital and operational expenditure. The end-result is the sustainable development of their networks, Khumalo noted.
"The challenge is to ensure the rate and roll-out of technology infrastructure is both appropriate and truly affordable."
The company did not disclose how the solution will be rolled out, or how much each access point and the access centres will cost.
Strong adoption
The Village Connection will operate on a franchise-based business model which provides business and job opportunities for underserviced areas, said Khumalo.
The model includes a local entrepreneur, who hosts a mobile access point, and a regional GSM operator, who aggregates the traffic between different villages and provides external connectivity to Village Connection subscribers, he explained.
"Many of these communities don't have any economic activities going on. So we thought we would have the communities set up their own communications networks and stimulate business in these areas," said Kobus Roux, a manager with the Meraka Institute.
He said the Meraka Institute has piloted the concept both locally and in other African countries. One of the findings from this pilot is that local people first need to be provided with skills. However, adoption is strong, as prices are affordable.
Enabling environment
Independent Communications Authority of SA councillor Robert Nkuna said the Village Connection provides an answer to the challenge of universal access. "I don't think as a country we have done well when it comes to universal access. I think we can do more than we have done, and to do that we need active collaboration with the ICT sector."
Nkuna urged the ICT industry to view the challenge of providing universal service access as a way to grow its market, not as punishment by the regulator for being profitable. "Like the soccer game, do it for the love of the game."
He noted that SA already has other initiatives that drive the promotion of universal access. These include universal service obligations for licensed operators, the licensing of underserviced area licensees, and the formation of the Universal Service Fund (USF), to which local operators contribute.
To date, the USF has over R300 million which is not being used, he said. "It's a pity that the Universal Service and Access Agency is not here."
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