Range Networks and University Research Group Bring Cellular Access to Zambian Village

Details: James Barton; Category: Wireless Networks; 24 July 2013; 9774 views

An experimental cellular network has been successfully deployed in Southern Zambia by Range Networks...

An experimental cellular network has been successfully deployed in Southern Zambia by Range Networks. The initiative was in partnership with the Mobility Management and Networking Laboratory (Moment Lab) at UC Santa Barbara, which chose Range Networks Snap Network and OpenBTS software to provide voice and SMS service in the sprawling village of Macha. The team used the deployment to study rural cellular networks and serve as a proof-of-concept project for future deployments in Zambia and other remote regions.

As the average income of the community is around $1 per day, the network was set-up as a free service, using open source software, to study the feasibility of low-cost systems to potentially cover billions of people around the world without cellular access.

While commercial cellular providers covered parts of the village, large areas of the village and surrounding region had no communications infrastructure. No traditional provider would offer service to the entire area given its low population density and income levels. By leveraging the Range software it was possible to set up two sites covering a 35km2 are in two days.

The deployment provided the remote village with the capability of making and receiving local calls and sending and receiving local SMS text messages. Additionally, the network allowed for outgoing global calls and outgoing global SMS text messages on a trial basis.

The network uses free open-source software and generic wireless IP backbone, and operates as a self-contained local loop replacing the need for expensive cellular-grade interconnections, hardware and software. The low-power consumption incurred by the SNAP base stations further reduces the cost associated with power and maintenance.

Additionally, the network operates remotely and is maintained by local resources, reducing downtime. The Snap Network draws less than 35 W of power, less than a typical laptop computer.

Mariya Zheleva, PhD student, UC Santa Barbara, said: “Networks such as this one can be used to improve healthcare, education and support of local businesses. Service for low-income, low-population density areas, such as this Zambian village, is now a possibility.”