Wireless solutions for Africa

A major problem in Africa is that in the rush to bridge the digital divide, technology has been deployed without sufficient regard to the needs of communities or the involvement of appropriate parties. As a result, many implementations of technology have failed.

But, as Aldean Prior, GM of the ICT Division at Reed Exhibitions SA points out, appropriate selection of technologies can significantly increase their chances of success measured by the widespread adoption and ongoing use of the technology by local communities.

One of these `appropriate` technologies is wireless/radio - and wireless telecommunications solutions is featuring strongly at Tel.Com Africa 2002, the continent`s longest established telecommunications industry exhibition which is organised by Reed Exhibitions SA on behalf of the Computer Society of SA and the Electronic Industries Federation.

Tel.Com Africa 2002, which has as its theme "Nation Building through Telecommunications Technology Solutions", takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 23 to 25 October.

One exhibitor whose solutions have found practical and success application in many parts of Africa is Israel-based InnoWave ECI Wireless Systems Ltd. A global leader in the design and deployment of efficient, cost-effective, point-to-multipoint fixed wireless access solutions, InnoWave solutions enable over 700 000 subscribers to be serviced by more than 60 telecom operators worldwide - including SA, Namibia and Swaziland.

InnoWave`s wireless solutions - which range from narrowband to broadband - are designed to meet the requirements of Incumbent and Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC and CLEC) worldwide.

These solutions, which are being displayed at Tel.Com Africa 2002, include the MultiGain Wireless System (MGW) - a traditional voice and data solution for residential and high-end residential users; enhanced MultiGain Wireless system (eMGW), which is essentially wireless DSL (digital subscriber line); and WaveGain-2 - Wireless Broadband for Businesses.

MGW has been selected by telecommunication operators all over the globe as the superior Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solution to introduce voice and voice band data services to their most valuable customers. A point-to-multipoint system based on field proven Spread Spectrum FH-CDMA technology, the MGW delivers toll quality voice, fax and modem (V.92) services, and ISDN-BRI. It`s available in wide range of frequencies from 800MHz up to 3.8GHz and has already been installed in over 55 countries in a wide variety of dense urban, suburban and rural environments.

eMGW is a cost-effective wireless DSL Fixed Wireless Access solution that is based on state-of-the-art hybrid technology, supporting both packet switching for high speed "always on" Internet and corporate data services, and circuit switching for toll quality voice and high-speed voice band data (V.92). It`s a point to multipoint FWA system delivering optimal solutions for the growing voice and data demands of high-end residential and SOHO users. The eMGW is available in a wide range of spectrum bands starting at 1.5GHz up to 3.8GHZ and 5.7GHz and coexists with the MGW system sharing the same masts, cells and frequency bands.

And the WaveGainTM -2, an advanced point-to-multipoint fixed wireless access system, successfully addresses the ever-increasing capacity needs of business communications consumers. The WaveGain is specifically designed for operators that want to serve small to medium enterprises (SME) and small office, home office (SOHO) as well as residential subscribers in multi tenant buildings. The WaveGain can also be used as a backbone distribution system for a cellular deployment, bringing E1s and Fractional E1s to cellular sites at a much lower cost than the point-to-point alternative.

Multisource Telecoms is a leading specialised wireless telecommunications solutions provider for Africa, focused on providing cost-effective telecom network solutions that complement those services offered by the traditional fixed-line and GSM networks.

One of these solutions, introduced to the local market for the first time at Tel.Com Africa 2002, is the wireless local loop solution from India`s Midas corporation. Called corDECT, it`s a DECT-based Wireless Local Loop (WLL) system that offers a very low per line cost, toll quality voice and data services up to 70kbps. It is suited for both dense, urban and sparse, rural deployment scenarios as it can cost effectively provide such telecom and Internet access services to areas even where subscriber density is as low as 0.2 subscribers per square kilometre.

The development of corDECT involved the design of custom integrated circuits for the RF and baseband. It makes use of innovative architectures in the switch, base station and subscriber terminals, resulting in one of the most advanced and cost effective WLL solutions in the world today.

Already deployed successfully in Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, Egypt, Tunisia and Madagascar, experience has shown that the technology incurs only 20% of the network capex upon initial deployment.

Grintek Telecom, a division of JSE-listed Grintek Ltd, and one of SA`s leading empowerment IT and telecommunications solutions and integration companies, has positioned itself for growth by offering wireless network solutions to telecommunications operators seeking to carry voice, data and video to their customers.

On display at its stand at Tel.Com Africa 2002, Grintek Telecom is highlighting its ability to supply its customers` new and enhanced network access solutions by offering "best-of-breed" digital wireless technology in the most cost-effective way.

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is a global designer and manufacturer of antenna and cable systems and RF subassemblies which provides total-package solutions for wireless infrastructure.

The company`s Tel.Com Africa 2002 exhibit includes solutions for in-building and tunnel communications, the focal point of which will be RFS`s extensive range of RADIAFLEX radiating cable that has proved invaluable for communications in Africa`s underground mining industry.

RFS is also exhibiting broadband access wireless local loop (WLL) products, including base station and customer premises antennas. Satel is exhibiting technology from Finland which has been developed for the wireless data communication market.

This includes Satel`s range of SATELLINE RF modems which can be used for different applications including, for example, security applications to extend extensive surveillance systems, remote control applications and local area data communications.

A highlight of the exhibit is the new SATELLINE-3AS, a half-duplex radio modem suitable for a variety of data transfer applications, particularly those demanding high speed and precision. In addition to the maximum data speed of 19.2kbps and channel spacing 25KHz or 12.5KHz, it offers a number of features and functions including message routing.

And on the Andrew Corporation stand, Tel.Com Africa 2002 visitors can see the new UltraSpan bi-directional amplified antenna solution for spread spectrum radio applications operating in the 2.4GHz unlicensed band which recently received FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Certification.

This antenna solution is certified for operation within FCC governed territories with Agere Systems` ORiNOCO radio. It extends the operation range of broadband wireless links, enabling installations otherwise unachievable due to excessive path loss. Wireless Internet service providers (ISPs) and enterprise wireless local area network (WLAN) operators can use this solution to extend the distance of remote users, improve cell coverage, and increase the performance of broadband connections.

The newly FCC-certified antenna solution consists of an Andrew Microceptor antenna with an integrated bi-directional amplifier. The Microceptor antenna is small and lightweight (1kg) and produces highly directive radiation patterns for its size. The integrated amplifier features intelligent algorithm and automatic gain controlled circuits that detect the input power level, adjust the RF gain, and regulate output levels not to exceed the legal limits.

The antenna unit is easily installed and is available with a standard mast mount or an optional adjustable mount with 60-degree range of tilt. It comes with a universal power supply and integral surge protection and is available in both 50ohm and 74ohm configurations.