4. Technology & Cost Relationships
4.1  Introduction
4.2  Technology Overview
4.3  Cost Analysis
4.4  Summary
4.5  Current and Future Trends

Besides an overview of technical solutions and trends, this chapter provides a comparative analysis (technical and costs) of technologies which are widely used today for rural telecommunications, as well as emerging technologies which might be used in the future.

Generically, the main technologies examined were:

• Outside plant cable
• Multi-access radio (TDMA)
• Fixed cellular and wireless local loop systems
• Rural exchanges
• Satellite (fixed and mobile) and
• Low capacity radio

The cost per line/subscriber of these technologies are identified under varying conditions:

• size of area to be covered and geographic scenarios
• distance from PSTN
• subscriber density
• different intensity of traffic
• varying grade of service quality

Additional factors related to the technology such as space segment cost, requirements of external subscriber antenna or solar power etc. are discussed to evaluate the optimum application environment for each technology.

With these components of a technology/cost comparison model the authors identify the ideal subscriber base to make each technology most cost-effective. The result of the investigations provides clear guidance as to where new and traditional technologies fit and what level of cost to expect.

However, it should be remembered that the report is now two years old and some trends have accelerated.