Extract from the Report of the Digital Divide Study Group, The Japan Society of Information and Communication

Research Proposal on Promoting the Exploitation of Wireless LAN Technology in the Pacific Islands June 28, 2003 Katsuyuki YAMAZAKI KDDI R&D Labs. Inc. Table of Contents 1. Overview of Wireless LAN 2. Characteristics of Outdoor Use of Wireless LAN 3. Advantages of Wireless LAN in Pacific Islands Area 4. Proposal on Regulations and Systems for Pacific Islands In the Pacific islands area, the development of education, transportation, welfare and so forth has been hindered due to the small size of the countries, the vastness of the Pacific Ocean separating the countries, and the isolation of their populations. The development of telecommunications has been similarly hampered. Due to the small size of the countries in the region, introduction of the latest technology has lagged, creating difficulties in adopting Internet and IT technologies. To promote Internet technology in the Pacific islands area, this paper proposes the exploitation of wireless LAN. To achieve this, it is proposed that regulations and systems related to communication be improved as common property throughout Pacific islands area and countries, to facilitate the import and spread of equipment, and to promote the development of public and private communication services. 1. Overview of Wireless LAN Wireless LAN is a wireless communication system like the cellular phone systems. Wireless LAN uses radio frequencies in the 2.4GHz band, which is called the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band, and is used for medical equipment, amateur radio, microwave ovens and the like. An IP network configured using wireless LAN provides an always-on connection, unlike dial-up lines. The original standard of wireless LAN was released in 1997 as IEEE 802.11, providing a maximum transmission rate of 2 Mbps. Wireless LAN can be thought of as Ethernet without the wires. Since the subsequent IEEE 802.11b standard was established, the wireless LAN market has grown strongly, and wireless LAN is being used to network personal computers in offices in industrialized nations. Furthermore, as no radio-wave license is needed in e.g., USA and Japan, customers can install the system by themselves without requiring connection fees. As a result, not only in the office but also outdoors, wireless LAN has been used to build networks in

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self-governing communities and public institutions, i.e., private networks instead of telecommunication-carrier-provided public services. In such cases, wireless LAN is typically used as follows; Wireless LAN equipment is installed on the roof of a building, then a self-supporting network connecting related institutions (schools, public offices, libraries, public institutions, etc.) is constructed. And one of the institutions such as a public office subscribes a service provided by an Internet service provider. Although there are several examples of private networks in Japan, KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. has been carrying out experiments since IEEE 802.11 was established1). 2. Characteristics of Outdoor Use of Wireless LAN Influence of Weather: In the 2.4-GHz band, there is little influence of rain, and attenuation due to rainfall is negligible. To avoid damage to equipment by lightning, however, a lightning arrester is usually installed. Influence on Human Body: Wireless LAN uses low power, so it is thought to have negligible influence on the human body. Influence of Medical Equipment: Effects on medical equipment can be ignored. However, wireless LAN is affected by interference from medical ISM equipment such as laser surgical knives and hyperthermia equipment. Such problems can be avoided by switching the communication channel (frequency) of wireless LAN. Communication Distance: This depends on the gain of the antenna and peripheral environment. In the case of a point-multipoint configuration (connecting several institutions to a base station), the radius is 2 to 3 km. In the case of a point-point configuration (connecting a pair of opposite points), the communication distance is 5 to 10 km. Line-of-Sight: There must be line-of-sight between antennas. Communication may be unstable if the line-of-sight is strict such that the antenna can be only seen between buildings. Some space is required between antennas, so the installation configuration should be studied in advance. In addition, interference for a candidate installation location should be assessed. Influence of Trees and Birds: Assuming that there is line-of-sigh with sufficient space, communication is possible even if there are trees. Birds have no influence.

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Transmission Error: Even if an error occurs in a packet, the packet is retransmitted in a wireless section, depending on the wireless LAN equipment. For an e-mail and WWW applications, packet retransmission is delayed, but cannot be noticed by human beings. In the case of streaming communication such as video, an increase in delay sometimes disables two-way communication, so precautions must be taken. Security: Wireless LAN can be easily monitored or picked up by a third party. In IEEE 802.11b, encryption is specified, and it is essential to properly set the specifications. However, decryption software is available on the market, and so if security is critical, it is recommended to use further advanced systems provided by vendors.2) 3. Advantages of Wireless LAN in Pacific Islands Area Wireless LAN offers the following advantages for Internet technology in the Pacific islands area: (1) Economic Efficiency Outdoor wireless LAN equipment typically costs 300,000 400,000 yen. The construction cost depends on the method; when there is a suitable installation place, simple installation such as for a TV antenna will suffice (costing several ten-thousand yen). On the other hand, if a steel tower must be built, the installation cost may run to several million yen, and the design must withstand a maximum wind speed (60 m/s is often taken in Japan). In either case, compared with commercial wireless equipment installed by telecommunication carriers (equipment plus construction cost = several billon yen/place), the cost is very low. Of course, reliability and stability are reduced somewhat, but the cost-performance is very high. As an -email and WWW browsing are the major traffic on the Internet, reachability is more important, for which a wireless LAN network is particularly suitable. As described above, the low price and high cost-performance of wireless LAN make it suitable for promoting Internet use in developing countries. (2) Regionality The Pacific islands area has few major cities, so there is little radio interference caused by leakage from indoor wireless LANs of offices. To interconnect islands, fixed wires would be very expensive, whereas wireless LAN enables a network to be built very inexpensively, although the maximum distance is limited. Wireless LAN networks are used not only as the base carrier by public telecommunications operators, but also as self-supporting private networks. For example, a self-supporting network is constructed, traffic within the network is carried within wireless LAN network,

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and only external traffic is exchanged with public Internet service providers. This approach would be effective for constructing a wireless LAN for a village or island. (3) Staff Education The technological know-how required for wireless LAN is not much more than that required for amateur radio, and can produce a large effect on staff education, especially when constructing a self-supporting network. In Japan, self-supporting networks of universities, local self-governing bodies, and resort complexes have been constructed, thus boosting IT education in the area. Staff education would be highly effective when promoting the Internet and IT know-how in the Pacific islands area. 4. Proposal on Regulations and Systems for Pacific Islands Table 1 shows an example of the regulations and systems for a 2.4GHz band wireless LAN in Japan. The technological items basically comply with IEEE 802.11b. Described below is proposal on regulations and systems be improved as common property throughout Pacific islands area and countries, to facilitate the import and spread of equipment, and to promote the development of public and private communication services. (1) Regulations on Non-license ITU Radio Regulations does not mention anything about non-license of 2.4 GHz band, but simply says These band is designated for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications. Radio communication services operating within these bands must accept harmful interference which may be caused by these applications. (See S5.150 and S15.13) Therefore, regulations regarding non-license should be clearly defined in each country. (2) Technical Compatibility Check on Equipment In Japan, the institutions approved by the state (namely the Foundation Telecom Engineering Center (TLEC)4) and Foundation Telecommunications Terminal Reviewing Association5)) judge whether wireless LAN equipment meets the technical specifications. It is considered difficult to establish such authorizing institutions in a developing country. On the other hand, an international organization called WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) has been established for promoting wireless LAN and verifying interoperability. A fixed standard (basic specifications to be packaged) for securing interoperability among vendors has been set, and a Wi-Fi logo is placed on products that pass the test. Accordingly, provided that a product has passed the WECA test, technical compatibility need not be checked in the country concerned. (3) Maximum Transmission Output

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The maximum transmission output of wireless LAN depends on interference with other equipment. In a developing country, for a point-point connection by wireless LAN in a mountainous region or by the ocean in an area with a small population, the communication distance can be easily extended by increasing the transmission output. In order to increase the communication distance, however, the antenna must be placed higher for securing line-of-sight, and the practicable range of communication is thought in about 20 to 30 km. In Japan, the transmission output is allowed to be increased as a special case such as tele-medical purposes in remote islands. Accordingly, in developing countries the maximum transmission output may also be increased provided the installation locations are limited. Table 1 Example of Regulations and Systems for 2.4GHz Band LAN in Japan (See reference (3) for details) Item License Technical compatibility check for equipment Transmission frequency Specifications Unnecessary

Necessary

2,400 to 2,497 MHz Direct Spread (DS), Frequency Hopping (FH), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing System, Compound System, Digital Modulation System

Transmission form

Maximum transmission output Spreading rate in spread spectrum communication

10 mW/MHz

5 or more times

Antenna

Absolute gain is 12.14 dB or less. Providing that when antenna power is equal to or less than the maximum transmission output, lower output can be compensated by antenna gain.

Occupied bandwidth

26 MHz or less (as for spread spectrum communication, spread bandwidth is 500 kHz or more)

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References: (1) Wireless LAN Network Project of KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. Kamifukuoka Wireless LAN Experiment: http://www kddilabs.jp/CityLAN/ (In Japanese) Wireless LAN Separated Islands Tele-Medical Experiment: http://www.kddilab.jp/s-cross/ (In Japanese) Anti-disaster Support Internet Experiment: http://www.kddilabs.jp/cygnus/ (In Japanese) (2) For example, http://www.atmarkit.co.jp/keyword/index-recommend/2002/lansecurity. (3) ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business of Japan): http://www.arig.or.jp/ RCR STD-33 (small power data communication system/wireless LAN system standard) ARIB STD-T66 (second-generation small power data communication system/wireless LAN system standard) (4) Foundation Telecom Engineering Center: http://www. telec.or.jp/ (5) Foundation Telecommunication Terminal Reviewing Association: http://www.jate.or.jp/ (6) WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance): http://www.weca.net/

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