ASSIGNMENT 1

OPTIONS FOR A RURA L/R EGIONA L BROADBAND NETWORK

I N TRO D U C TI O N

With the ever increasing need for individuals as well as businesses to stay connected, broadband

infrastructure (especially in rural and regional areas) is of vital importance to ensure that not only are

strategic business decisions able to be accurately implemented, but that individuals in general are able

to access what has been called a “human right” to public information. To this end, there are a

number of communication technology options with regards to providing such a network for

Rural/Regional Australia; these are:

• Fiber Optic

• Wireless

• Satellite

This paper will seek to explain each of the above options with regards to construction, cost,

advantages and disadvantages for the Rural region.

FI B E R O P T I C B ROAD B AN D

Fiber Optic Broadband uses light pulses to transmit information along an optical fiber. It is perhaps

one of, if not the fastest communication technologies currently available. The information uses the

physics principle of “total internal reflection” of light to transmit optical information. As these light

pulses travel at approximately 3x108 m/s, it is immediately clear that there are distinct advantages

with regards to speed of data transfer with fiber optics. Fiber optics can be installed along areas with

high electromagnetic interference, such as along the existing power and utility lines, as they

experience almost no interference effect. This would be an advantage from a implementation

perspective as the fiber optic cables could be mounted on the existing physical infrastructure

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available in rural areas such as power transmission towers and would not require any new additional

physical mounting installations.

The main issue regarding the transmission of information over fiber optic networks is the frequency

modulation of the signal (ensuring that the information being sent/received is not distorted or

weakened). This is done through signal regeneration by ‘repeaters’, however such repeaters add a

significant amount of cost to the system design. When taking into account the fact that information

from rural/regional areas will be sent mainly across many hundreds of kilometers, it becomes

apparent that a significant amount of ‘repeater’ amplifying may be required.

The problem with the fiber optic solution for regional communications is therefore (as with any

major infrastructure) cost, as physical installation of such a network across many rural areas will take a

significant amount of time.

W I R E LE S S B ROA D BA N D

This form of broadband is rather well suited to rural/regional areas, as it can service areas where

cable or digital subscriber lines are not available. Wireless broadband provides internet services

through wireless networking between the user and the wireless network service provider.

Wireless broadband employs the 802.11 radio wave system to send and receive data through

what is known as a Wireless Access Point. Typically, the WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider)

will establish a wireless access point through installing a point-to-point connection in the centre of a

service area. Wireless transmission equipment would then be mounted on a high central point in the

service area. Users of this service would access the wireless network through a usb modem or 802.11

wireless card commonly available on almost every new laptop and pc today.

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 A distinct advantage of Wireless Broadband is that wireless networking does not involve the

physical installation of digital infrastructure to the user for access. This is useful for areas where no

current physical connections exist. Also, a single wireless access point can service mulitiple

properties/users within its vicinity – this would be an advantage for dense rural populations such as a

regional centre. However it does require that the central access point for the network be hardwired,

and as such if this infrastructure does not exist in a regional centre servicing the surrounding area,

provision and installation of new connections is required and may be expensive dependant upon

location.

The ‘line of sight’ problem is one major disadvantage of the wireless internet connectivity option

for rural areas. The ‘line of sight’ problem is just that – the radio waves can be deflected, absorbed or

diffracted by certain materials and even the landscape itself. Radio signals travel in straight lines and

at high frequencies (such as that on which wireless networks operate), any obstruction between the

transmitter and receiver will block the signal. Hence, in areas with a hilly landscape, where the

transmission tower cannot be suitably located in a high position with line-of-sight to the properties in

services, the network is essentially void.

SA T E L L I T E BROAD B AN D

Satellite Internet access is access provided through the use of Low Earth Orbiting (LEO)

communications satellites. This form of internet access is ideal for the rural/regional geographic

location as it does not require digital cable lines, but rather a 2 way communication satellite dish that

can be installed in almost all properties. Similar to a wireless radio connection, the Satellite Internet

connection does require line-of-sight, however as the LEO satellites are above the earths

atmosphere, there is little loss due to physical obstruction. Also, satellite signals are vulnerable to

weather patterns, as electromagnetic fields produced by adverse weather conditions can affect the

quality of signals received by individual satellites.

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 RE FE REN CE S

Ground Control, 2010, http://www.groundcontrol.com/How_Does_Satellite_Internet_Work.htm,

“How does Satellite Internet Work?” Accessed on 02/07/2010

Home Network, 2010, http://www.home-network-help.com/wireless-network.html, “What is

wireless network” Accessed on 06/07/2010

Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology, 2010, http://www.rp-

photonics.com/optical_fiber_communications.html , “Optical Fiber Communications” Accesed on
12/07/2010