Low cost data access system for Rural and Under-Served Areas
by Nkokoba Peter Mailula
Co-Authors: Damien Chatelain∗ (Supervisor), and Moremi Moemedi∗∗, French South African
Technical Institute in Electronics (F’SATIE), Department of Electronic Engineering,
Tshwane University of Technology, P/Bag X680, PRETORIA, 0001
E-mails: Pmailula@csir.co.za, Dchatelain@fsatie.ac.za ∗, Moremi.Moemedi@fsatie.ac.za∗∗
Abstract: In this paper attention is focused on the
challenges that rural and under-served areas in South
Africa pose in the provision of telecommunication
services. The aim is to provide access to information
(data e.g., internet) to rural and under-served areas at an
efficient and affordable cost. Available technologies and
integration of currently emerging wireless local area
networks (WLAN) that support IEEE 802.11b standard
with the Internet are investigated. Configuration issues
are discussed and technology set-up demonstrated.
Measurements and simulation are performed to validate
the suitability of deploying the technology in those
areas.
Keywords: WLAN, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Internet,
Rural Areas, Under-Served Areas, Multi-User basis.
I. Introduction
The potential of Internet as a source of learning and
information sharing has been widely used in all avenues
in developing and developed countries. However, little
attention is still given to the deployment of efficient and
affordable telecommunications networks in some other
sectors of the community. This lack of access prevents
the population from being well informed about political
and economic news, hence hindering the people from
availing themselves to the benefits of distance education,
telemedicine and other similar services.
In addition, economic development is also hampered
because besides being a pool of knowledge acquisition
and sharing, Internet is important in businesses
development due to its ability to provide nationwide,
regional and worldwide exposure to even small
businesses at a reasonable cost.
Furthermore, in many developing countries, Internet
access is billed on time and distance sensitive basis as
opposed to flat usage fees. This, coupled with the
relatively low per capita income in these countries
inhibits Internet usage. Other factors negatively
influencing internet demand are scarcity of computers
and telephone lines, not being able to use English, the
currently predominant language of the Internet, and
generally low education and skills levels. The access
problem is particularly acute in rural and under-served
areas where not only computers and phone connections
are nonexistence, but also even electricity may not be
available [1].
To achieve self-sustainable Internet service, in a rural
and under-served setting, the Internet is likely for some
time to be delivered as a community resource, rather
than a personal one. In other words, each community
might have shared resources that are financially
sustained through some combination of user fees and
outside revenue [2]. In this scenario, WLAN based on
IEEE 802.11b standard using an existing Ethernet
backbone is proposed as a possible solution to provide
access to rural and under-served areas on a multi-user
basis.
In this study, the following could hold the key to some
possible solutions [3]:
1. An approach of small entrepreneurs to provide
Internet and voice services within their own
communities by purchasing inexpensive basic radio
equipment and transmitting on unlicensed
frequencies.
2. Collections of these local operators, collaborating
and interconnecting with larger Internet and basic
service operators, begin to weave together a
patchwork of universal access where little or no
telecommunications services existed before.
3. This access patchwork should be cheap, robust, and
extremely responsive to innovation ultimately
ensuring revenue flow and creating value to the
community.
1

I. Wi-Fi/WLAN- Wireless Fidelity/ Wireless
Local Area Network
Wireless data networks (Wide Area Networks and Local
Area Networks) based on the IEEE 802.11 or “Wi-Fi”
standard are perhaps the most promising wireless
technology. Given its popularity in developed nations, it
is reasonable to consider the use of Wi-Fi in developing
countries as well. The forces driving the standardization
and proliferation of Wi-Fi in the developed world could
also stimulate the communications market dynamic in
the developing world [4]. Wi-Fi can easily be adopted as
a possible solution for rural and under-served areas by
virtue of the following: its ease of set-up, use, and
maintenance; its relatively high bandwidth; and, most
importantly, its relatively low cost for both users and
providers. Standard Wi-Fi 802.11b operates in the
unlicensed 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical
(ISM) frequency band and provides up to 11Mb/sec data
rates over a 22 MHz passband. 802.11b utilizes DSSS
(Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum), a modulation
technique to allow a device to communicate at a higher
rate by distributing its energy over a contiguous
frequency band. It also uses the Media Access Control
(MAC) protocol and Carrier Sense Multiple Access with
Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA). In the 83.5 MHz
frequency band there are fourteen 22 MHz wide sub-
channels that the access point can use, of which three
channels are non-overlapping. Current maximum
transmitted power for this wireless device is 100 mW.
Bit Rate 11Mb/s 5.5Mb/s 2Mb/s 1Mb/s
Range
Open 160m 270m 400m 550m
Office
Semi open 50m 70m 90m 115m
office
Closed 25m 35m 40m 50m
office
Table 1: Range/Bit Rate Comparison in different
Office Environment [5]
Tests in rural settings show that a standard WiFi card
(such as commonly used with laptop PCs) can provide
good connectivity up to a ½ kilometer radius given line-
of-sight. With the addition of high gain antennas and
repeaters, it is possible to achieve point-to-point
connectivity at distances of up to 25 kilometers. Wi-Fi
access points (devices commonly used to provide a Wi-
Fi network-Wireless Development Platform) currently
retail at less than R6000.00 and Wi-Fi cards retail for
under R1000.00 from Miro Network Distributors.
WiFi technology can be adopted as a viable technology
for rural and under-served connectivity solutions to
connect schools, clinics, library and community centers
to each other and to the Internet. This will ultimately
create sustainable business models and universal access
to ICT in rural and under-served areas. However, the
successful implementation of this technology and the
choice of usage model are also guided by an intimate
knowledge of rural communities and their information-
and communication-related needs [6].
III. Infrastructure and Architecture
The basic principle of WLAN operations resembles
cellular networks –access point (AP) broadcast and
receives over short distance (up to 100m) from users’
terminal, equipped with network interface cards (NIC).
Base stations are connected to Ethernet network
backbone, in turn connected to MAN, WAN or public
Internet. The major benefit of such an architecture is that
user’s experience of working in this wireless network
resembles very much the work in wired environment –
the speed of the network can be up to 11Mbps, keeping
mobility, limited only by the range of AP reach. A
concentrated geographic area where high-speed wireless
LAN access is available is called ‘a hotspot’. In general,
WLAN of popular standards can operate in two modes:
peer-to-peer and client/access-point12. Both types of
architecture offering fully distributed data connectivity.
IV. Peer- to-Peer Network Topology
Peer-to-peer is a WLAN in its most basic form. Two
PCs equipped with wireless adapter cards form a simple
peer-to-peer network, enabling the PCs to share
resources. This type of network requires no
administration or reconfiguration, but also bypasses the
central server, inhibiting client/server sharing. This type
of independent or ‘Ad Hoc’ wireless networking can be
2
used for PCs communicating directly with each other. In
such WLAN configuration, access points function as
repeaters, which are used to increase the range of
WLAN. Possible applications include: collaborative
work groups; small/branch offices sharing resources;
remote control of another PC; games for two or more
players; demonstrations. It is important to note that at the
moment peer-to-peer networks for public use are not
widespread, however there are some research in this
area. Vendors develop software, allowing deploying
WLAN based on ‘ad hoc’ mode for public use [8].
Figure 01: Peer-to-Peer WLAN Mode
V. Infrastructure
Client and Access Point: A Client and Access Point
network allows for extended range capabilities; they are
also able to benefit from server resources, as the AP is
connected to the wired backbone. The number of users
supported by this type of network varies by technology
and by the nature and number of the transmissions
involved. Generally, client and access point networks
can support between 15 and 50 users.
Figure 02: Single Access Point Mode
Multiple Access Points: Although coverage ranges in
size from product to product and by differing
environments, WLAN systems are inherently scalable.
As APs have limited range, large facilities such as
warehouses and college campuses often find it necessary
to install multiple access points, creating large access
zones. APs, like cell sites in cellular telephony
applications, support roaming and AP-to-AP handoff.
Large facilities requiring multiple access points deploy
them in much the same way as their cellular
counterparts, creating overlapping cells for constant
connectivity to the network. As network usage increases,
additional APs can be easily deployed. This type of
architecture is the most popular to build WLANs for
public use.
Figure 03: Multiple Access Point Mode
II. Results
A. Wi-Fi Design
A Wi-Fi Development platform is a router that can either
be configured as point to point or point to multi point. In
our case a client and a server has been configured in a
laboratory environment. Firstly, a Client and Server
were configured using static IP (Internet Protocol)
addressing as is shown in figure 04 below. A LAN
(Local Area Network) was connected to the WiFi
platform (Access Point) at Net 0 with IP address
168.172.114.110. A Local PC connected to Net 1 at the
WiFi platform with IP address 10.10.10.5 and 10.10.10.2
respectively. An IP address of 10.10.20.1 was then
assigned to Wi 0. Again on the client side, Wi 0 was
assigned with IP address of 10.10.30.1. At Net 0/sis 0 an
IP address of 10.10.30.1 was assigned while the client
PC was assigned with IP address of 10.10.30.2
3
 The number of simultaneous users that an access
point can support depends mostly on the amount
W i0 W i0
of data traffic at the time (heavy versus light
W iF i
(A cce ss P o in t)
1 0 .1 0 .2 0 .1 1 0 .1 0 .2 0 .2
W iF i
(C lien t)
downloads and uploads). Bandwidth is shared
N et 0 N et 1 N et 0 / sis 0
among users on a WLAN as with wired network
1 0 .1 0 .1 0 .2 connections. Network performance, as gauged by
1 6 8 .1 7 2 .1 1 4 .1 1 0 1 0 .1 0 .3 0 .1

1 0 .1 0 .1 0 .5
the number of simultaneous users, hinges on the
1 0 .1 0 .3 0 .2
combined computing activity. For example, in
802.11b, each hardware access point has up to 11
PC PC Mbps throughput. This capacity is adequate for:

LAN  50 nominal users who are mostly idle and check an

occasional text based e-mail.
 25 mainstream users who use a lot of e-mail and
download or upload moderately sized files.
 10 to 20 power users who are constantly on the
network and deal with large files.
Figure 04: WiFi Development Platform and
Addressing
To increase capacity, more access points may be added,
Again, a laptop with an NIC (Network Interface Card) which gives users more opportunity to enter a network.
installed was configured using static IP addressing as is Networks are optimized when the access points are set to
done on the peer-to-peer configuration. The wireless different channels. In theory, many users could then
clients or laptop can move freely throughout the share up to 33 Mbps total capacity (although no single
footprint of the AP. The Signal Strength and data rate user would ever have throughput faster than 11 Mbps).
proved to be very good few metres away from the AP as In reality, clients associate with the access point with
is shown in figure 05 below. Data rate reduces from which they share the strongest signal, so the bandwidth
11Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps and 1 Mbps as the distance may not be dispersed evenly among users [9]
increases. The signal strength also drops depending on
the type of obstacle/clutter on the environment.

Internet Backbone

Figure 05: Wireless Network Connection Status

4
 a. C. WLAN Signal Strength Prediction Model/ Design
Co Tool
m
m The WLAN design tool for the prediction of signal
u strength/ power at different distances away from the
n Transmitter (Access Point) can be used for the planning
i of the expected quality of the design before a practical
t layout is carried out [10]. The model is used to do the
y link budget, that is, how much power shall be available
at the receiver after the signal has traveled over a stated
I distance. This model was chosen because it allows us to
n predict the signal over some distance, which will help in
f designing a cost-effective wireless local area network.
r Using this software, we were able to do simulations in
a an open office along the passage.
s
t
r
u
c
t
u
r
e

M
o
d
e
Figure 07: Link Budget Simulation Results
l
D. First Iteration Simulated and Experimental
Results for Indoor testing

Schools
Library
Businesse
s

Access
Point
Access Point

Medica
l Community
Center Centers
s Figure 09: Comparison between Experimental
Figure 06: Model for WLAN (Wi-Fi) Network Measurements and Simulated Results
Infrastructure

5
This graph is a plot of predictions and measurements
results for an open office. Measurements were taken
along the passage in the building with most Line-of-sight
between the access point and the client. Differences
between the prediction and measurements results were
minimal and a good correlation was achieved until up to
22.5 meters. At 25 meters a line of sight was lost, the
signal strength was affected which resulted in 6dB loss.
The predicted and measured signal strength is –
46.14dBm and –51.26dBm respectively. In general, the
signal is very strong and could still achieve bit rate of
11Mb/s as shown in Table 01. Wi-Fi could be adopted Figure 10: Fresnel Zones for radio Communications
for schools, community centers, medical centers and
libraries for broadband access in the rural and under- In normal situation, 80% is used as a clearance reference in
served communities. which no obstacles are permitted.

E. Radio Link Calculation for Outdoor Signal Level
Predictions
To do outdoors coverage using wireless LAN,
calculations of radio link budget and distances is very
critical as they are many factors that can severely affect
the quality of the signal. In free space, propagation
model are used to predict received signal strength when
the transmitter and receiver have a clear, unobstructed
line-of-sight path between them. As the radio signal
travels the signal will be lost in free space and the
amount of free space loss can be empirically calculated.
In a high frequency radio communication, line of sight
condition between the transmitter and receiver is critical.
A Fresnel zone is an area that no obstacle exists between
transmitter and receiver. In figure 10, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Fresnel zones are shown.
F. System Operating Margin (SOM)
The system Operating Margin can be calculated using
equation: 1 listed below. SOM is the difference between
the signal a radio is actually receiving versus what it
needs for good data recovery that is the system receiver
sensitivity
Free Space Loss = 20logF(MHz) + 20logD (in Miles).
……[1]
Where F is frequency in MHz and D is distance in miles.
Again, the receiver signal level is given by equation: 2
below
Rx Signal Level = Tx Power – Tx Cable Loss + Tx
Antenna Gain –FSL + Rx Antenna
Gain - Rx Cable Loss. …[2]

To calculate System Operating Margin, we apply

Fresnel Zones equation: 3

SOM = Rx Signal Level – Rx Sensitivity…………..[3]

3rd* 2nd* 1st*

* Fresnel Zones

6
 The graph of distance versus receiver signal level is
shown in figure 13 below. The signal strength decreases
as the distance increases. At a distance of 25 kilometers
the receiver signal level is –64.8dBm, which is still
enough for normal communication. On the same set of
axes, the plot of distance versus Free Space Loss and
distance versus Theoretical System Operating Margin is
shown. At 0.5 kilometers we obtained FSL of 94.1dB
and TSOM of 52.1dB.

The Effective Isotropic Radiated Power of the system

Figure 11: Link Budget Calculation for Outdoors can be calculated from the equation

In this case the operating frequency was 2400MHz with EIRP (dBm) = Tx Power – Tx Cable Loss + Tx Antenna
Tx Power of 20dBm, Tx Antenna Gain of 24dBi, Rx Gain…………………………………………………[4]
Antenna Gain of 24dBi, Tx and Rx cable losses of 2.4dB
assuming a 3meters cable of 0.8dB/m is used and From this equation the EIRP is 41.6dBm, which is still
receiver sensitivity of –83 dBm. The type of antenna within the range of effective communication. This can
used is a Grid directional antenna with a maximum be applicable in rural and under-served areas for
range of 25 kilometers for outdoor applications. The universal access.
measurements were done for 25 kilometers starting from
0.5km and the Rx signal level is –30.9dBm, Free Space
Loss is 94.1dB and Theoretical System Operating
Margin of 52.1dB. The measurements were taken on a
interval of 1 kilometer until 25 kilometers. At 25
kilometers, the Rx Signal Level is –64.8dBm, Free
Space Loss is 128dB and Theoretical System Operating
Margin is 18.2dB as is shown in figure 11 above.

A directional antenna with 24dBi gain for Access Point

and Client point-to point communication, the operating
margin for 25 kilometers distance is 18.2dB. This proved
to be logical as using of a power amplifier to extend the
distance was avoided to allow frequency reuse of the
channels and escape from interference problems. The
system operating margin is illustrated in figure 12 below

Figure 13: Simulation Results from WLAN design

software

II. Conclusion

More than half the world’s population live in rural and

under-served areas. Rural communities promise essential
new markets for contents access. The deployment of Wi-
Fi for rural and under-served areas will be a major
Figure 12: System Operating Margin achievement for both the industry and the communities

7
as a whole. Furthermore, if the WLAN deployment can
further be interfaced with the existing BTS (Base
Transceiver Stations) infrastructure, the common
problems of cable theft for telecommunications
operators could also be ironed out to a large extend.

III. References

[1] Peter Cukor and Lee W. McKnight

“Knowledge Networks, The Internet and
Development”
itc.mit.edu/itel/docs/jun00/cukor_mck_tprc.pdf
[2]. Michael L. Best and Colin M. Maclay
“Community Internet Access in
Rural Areas: Solving Economic
Sustainability Puzzle” Chapter
8
[3] Michael L. Best, Program in
Internet & Telecom Convergence,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology “Trends
in Telecommunications Reform 2003”
Chapter 7 pp 01
[5] David Cavin “Wireless LANs Mobile Ad hoc
Networks”, pp19.
[4], [6-7] Alex (Sandy) Pentland, Richard Fletcher, Amir
A. Hasson, MIT Media Laboratory “A Road to
Universal Broadband Connectivity”, pp 2
[8] icommons.harvard.edu/userdocs/
core_site/ioups_files/laporte_pres_wan
.ppt
[9] ‘Access Point Capacity’
http://www.intel.com/business/bss/infrastructure
/wir
eless/deployment/considerations.
[10] “Link Budget Calculation’
www.antennspecialisten.se.
[11]. http://www.ydi.com/calculation/som.php