New IIT Bombay-led network standard offers to improve rural connectivity

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 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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