Institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) approved a wireless network architecture for affordable broadband access in rural areas which is developed by a research at IIT bombay
- These research solutions developed in the lab form the basis of the 2061-2024 standard.
What are access and core networks?
- Access Network (AN)
- Coverage area: It consists of br stations that provide wireless connectivity to mobile devices in a limited geographical area, called the Coverage area
- A network operator usually installs br stations across the length and breadth of the region to be covered.
- Core Network (CN)
- The CN of a cellular network has equipment that provides connectivity to other networks, such as the Internet.
- Centralised: Unlike AN br stations, the CN operates in a central location, and possibly far from any of the br stations.
- CN is essential to support user mobility: Even if two users are nearby and are connected to the same or adjacent br stations, the data must pass through the central CN.
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What is the IEEE 2061-2024 standard?
- The standard defines a wireless network architecture for affordable broadband access in rural areas.
- The IEEE-2061 network also includes a CN and AN similar to cellular networks.
- AN is heterogeneous: In IEEE-2061 AN is heterogenous wherein different types of br stations coexist
- Different from the 5G network: Where the AN is homogeneous comprising br stations of the same type and typically smaller coverage area.
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- Integrated AN control functionality in the IEEE-2061: A key capability of the system is that it allows a device to move from a Wi-Fi br connectivity to a macro-BS connectivity without any service disruption.
- As wireless systems evolve, both legacy and new technologies — including 4G, 5G, 6G, Wi-Fi and networks — will coexist and complement each other.
- In such a heterogeneous network, an integrated AN control functionality like the one included in the IEEE-2061 standard will help avoid issues like call drops.
- Multi-Hop Wireless Middle-Mile Network:
- IEEE-2061 standard proposes the use of a multi-hop wireless middle-mile network to extend connectivity to areas where optical-fibre links are not available.
- It provides cost-effective connectivity over long distances, eliminating the need for a costly and difficult-to-deploy optical fibre.
- An IEEE-2061 network can flexibly use one or more technologies like satellites, or long-range Wi-Fi for the middle-mile.
- Direct and alternate path to the Internet: IEEE-2061 AN also has a direct and alternate path to the Internet unlike the (4G/5G) network, where Internet connectivity is possible only via the CN.
What impedes rural connectivity?
- Urban-Rural Digital Divide: According to the latest Telecom Subscription Data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, urban tele-density in the country is 127% while the rural tele-density is 58%.
- On average, an urban user has one or more mobile connections (1.27) whereas only one out of two persons (0.58) is connected.
- Lower Income Of The People: A big chunk of the rural population finds mobile services unaffordable.
- Lower Population Density: Populations distributed in clusters (villages) often separated by vast empty spaces, and remoteness.
- Taking fibre infrastructure to a far-off village, in the Himalayas, say, to connect the br station there may neither be cost-effective nor easy.
Government Initiatives For Developments in Rural Digital Infrastructure
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for telecom and networking products
- It will promote domestic mobile manufacturing as well as network installation.
- Bharat Net Project
- It shall continue to improve accessibility, affordability, connectivity, and inclusivity pan-India.
- It is the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity programme using Optical fibre.
- National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) which was launched in 2011 was renamed as Bharat Net Project in 2015.
- NOFN was envisaged as an information superhighway through the creation of a robust middle-mile infrastructure for reaching broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats.
- Fund: The entire project is being funded by Universal service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was set up for improving telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country.
- Implementing Agency: Bharat Broadband Network (BBNL).
- BBNL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up by the Government of India under the Companies Act, 1956.
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July 3, 2024
