1

Telecommunication Needs for the Internet Telecommunication Needs for the Internet Infrastructure in BangladeshInfrastructure in Bangladesh

Presentation at the Workshop on Presentation at the Workshop on Nationwide Internet Access & Online ApplicationsNationwide Internet Access & Online Applications

Dhaka, BangladeshDhaka, Bangladesh

Professor Saifur Rahman, Professor Saifur Rahman, DirectorDirectorManisa Pipattanasomporn, Graduate StudentManisa Pipattanasomporn, Graduate Student

Alexandria Research InstituteAlexandria Research InstituteVirginia TechVirginia Tech

23 May 200423 May 2004

IT Facts in BangladeshIT Facts in Bangladesh

50 telephone lines and 3 Internet users per 10,000 population

High installation charge of roughly $200 for a new telephone line

Long waiting time for a new connection of 2-4 years

2

Themes for DiscussionThemes for Discussion

Review existing IT infrastructures in Bangladesh

Review various access technologies

Identify least-cost ICT solutions for Internet access in Bangladesh

Broad Benefits from ICTBroad Benefits from ICT

ICT for Education

ICT for Health

ICT for Economic Opportunity

ICT for Empowerment and Participation

3

ICT for EducationICT for Education

Wireless web reaches village children

““Using computers to assist in Using computers to assist in teaching mathematicsteaching mathematics””

“ Primary school children are introduced to computers using multimedia CDs.”

Source: BBC News

Source: BBC News

Schools in remote villages can serve as a venue for adult education, health care and small business activities

ICT for HealthICT for Health

New horizons for Bangladeshi doctors

Online medical centers to provide better care for the sick

CD-ROMs to show how to better treat patients

Transmission of tests to the hub in the capital city for analysis

“The telecentre in Sonagazi”

Source: BBC News

4

ICT for Economic OpportunityICT for Economic OpportunityICT can contribute to better marketing

opportunities through access to information on:

WeatherWeather

Farming best practiceFarming best practice

Crop statusCrop status

Global market priceGlobal market price

ICT for Empowerment and ParticipationICT for Empowerment and Participation

ICT contributes to fostering empowerment, and making government processes more efficient.

State of Madhya Pradesh, IndiaState of Madhya Pradesh, India

Faster and more transparent access to Faster and more transparent access to government services.government services.

Farmers can get copies of land titles for 10 Farmers can get copies of land titles for 10 cents (previously $100 from corrupt officials).cents (previously $100 from corrupt officials).

5

Existing IT Infrastructure in BangladeshExisting IT Infrastructure in Bangladesh

Satellite

Microwave Links

Optical Fiber Links

Cellular Coverage

Satellite &Satellite &Microwave LinksMicrowave Links

Satellite is the only way to communicate internationally

Microwave links are the major communication backbone of the country

Microwave speed range from 34-155 Mbps

Source: BTTB Annual Report 2001

6

Backbone is transferred from microwave links to optical fiber links

Roughly 1,800-km fiber is installed along 2,900-km railway track

Leased by Grameen telephone to spread telecom footprint across the country

Grameen Coverage as of March 2004

Source: www.gsmworld.com

Fiber Links &Fiber Links &Cellular CoverageCellular Coverage

Railway lines

Internet Access AlternativesInternet Access Alternatives< 35km > 35km

Last-Mile TechnologiesWireline: POTS, DSL, Cable ModemWireless:

Fixed Wireless (WLL, LMDS, MMDS, VSAT)Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN)Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)

7

POTS/DSLPOTS/DSL

POTS: simplest way to connect to Internet, just modem and PCDSL: a high-speed connection via a telephone lines

POTS = Plain Old Telephone Service (56 Kbps)DSL = Digital Subscriber Line (768 Kbps)

InternetRouter Modem

ISP

PSTN

Telephone

Computer

Modem

Cable ModemCable Modem

A splitter splits the signal to TV outlets and the cable modemCable modem connects directly to the PC

Delivering high-speed Internet services over cable TV systems (0.5-1Mbps)

8

CorDECT WLLCorDECT WLL

WLL provides:

Simultaneous telephone and Internet connection (35-70kbps)

Source: www.srtelecom.com

CorDECT WLL = Wireless Local Loop based on DECT standard

CorDECT WLL has been used extensively in India for rural telecommunication

Base Station

Repeater

End user

End user

MMDS/LMDSMMDS/LMDS

MMDS: support max 3.2Mbps per base station, maximum coverage of 20-km NLOS

LMDS: support max 155Mbps, maximum coverage of 3 km with LOS connection

9

Wireless Local Area Network Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN 802.11)(WLAN 802.11)

Operates in unlicensed bands

Provides speed of up to 54Mbps with 802.11a and up to 11Mbps with 802.11b

Coverage 100-300 meters

Access Point Wireless Card

WMAN WMAN 802.16802.16

802.16 provides path between subscriber sites and a core network

It can provide 60 customers with T-1 speed, range of 50km

802.11 can add mobility to users in the building

Recently introduced, late 2003

Up to 50 km

10

Mobile Broadband Mobile Broadband (WMAN 802.20)(WMAN 802.20)

802.20 seeks to boost real802.20 seeks to boost real--time data transmission rate to time data transmission rate to 1 Mbps or more. 1 Mbps or more.

Cell ranges of up to 15 Cell ranges of up to 15 kmskms or more. or more.

Deliver speed to mobile users traveling at speeds up to Deliver speed to mobile users traveling at speeds up to 250 km/h. 250 km/h.

Availability: 2005 or later Availability: 2005 or later

WWANWWANWWAN uses cellular networks to enable Internet

connection from cellular phones.

22--10 Mbps10 Mbps3G3GWCDMAWCDMA2 Mbps2 Mbps3G3GCDMA2000CDMA2000

384 Kbps384 Kbps2.5G2.5GEDGEEDGE

171 Kbps171 Kbps2.5G2.5GGPRSGPRS14.4 Kbps14.4 Kbps2G2GCDMACDMA9.6 Kbps9.6 Kbps2G2GGSMGSM

Require infrastructure changes, e.g. new base station add-on and software upgrade and new handsets

11

VSATVSAT

VSAT = Very Small Aperture Terminal

2.4 m or smaller disk

Provide connection in areas with no infrastructure

Cost of ownership

Evaluating LastEvaluating Last--Mile OptionsMile Options

Data rate

Coverage distance

POTS

DSL

Cable Modem

WLL

MMDS

LMDS

802.11

802.16

802.20

VSAT

POTS

DSL

Cable Modem

WLL

MMDS

LMDS

802.11

802.16

802.20

VSAT

12

Evaluating LastEvaluating Last--Mile OptionsMile OptionsW

LL1000 lines1 lineCost of ownership

USD 53,324

USD 10,000USD 34

USD 340

USD 13,350

USD 29,600

USD 10,000USD 34,000

Annual Fees to Government**Spectrum fee estimated Tk.30 per year per site per 1kHz for UHF2(20MHz band); Tk.2000 per set per year of Tx/Rx (24dBm).

USD 340,000Customer equipment*Subscriber unit, power pack adapter, patch antenna, lightning protector

USD 13,350Misc.*PC, power supply for base station, O&M software

USD 470,830Total

USD 73,480Base station* Base station controller, PSTN interface module, base station interface card, omni directional antenna, installation kit, RAS, lightning protector, router, hubs and accessories, network management software (for 1000 lines)

Coverage distance 10-35kmData rate 35/70 kbps

* Bangladesh FOB price based on a quote from an Indian company (2003)

** Data from “Licensing New Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Operators in Private Sector in Bangladesh”, BTRC (2003)

Evaluating LastEvaluating Last--Mile OptionsMile Options1000 lines1 lineCost of ownership

USD 239,950

USD 1,500USD 50

USD 550

USD 13,350

USD 224,500

USD 1,500USD 50,000

Annual Fees to Government **Spectrum fee estimated Tk.30 per year per site per 1kHz for UHF2(3MHz band); Tk.3,000 per set per year of Tx/Rx (29dBm).

USD 550,000Customer equipment*Indoor customer premise equipment, power pack adapter, patch antenna, lightning protector

USD 13,350Misc.*PC, power supply for base station, O&M software (estimated)

USD 839,350Total

USD 224,500Base station* Base station, base station interface card, antenna, installation kit, lightning protector (for ¼ sector cell), router, hubs and accessories

Coverage distance 25kmData rate Max 3.2Mbps

* Price based on a quote from a US company (2003)

** Data from “Licensing New Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Operators in Private Sector in Bangladesh”, BTRC (2003)

MM

DS

13

Evaluating LastEvaluating Last--Mile OptionsMile Options1000 lines1 lineCost of ownership

USD 36,258

USD 3,400USD 8

USD 1,500

USD 13,350

USD 18,000

USD 3,400USD 8,333

Annual Fees to Government**Spectrum fee estimated Tk.20 per year per site per 1kHz for SHF (10MHz band); Tk.500 per set per year of Tx/Rx (17dBm).

USD 1,500,000Customer equipment*Libra 5800 – CPE point-to-multipoint system, includes integrated antenna

USD 13,350Misc.*PC, power supply for base station, O&M software (estimated)

USD 1,543,090Total

USD 18,000Base station* Libra 5800 – Access point for point-to-multipoint system, includes mounting bracket and power supply, router, hubs and accessories

Coverage distance 35kmData rate 24Mbps effective

* Price based on a quote from www.jts.net/724-36MicrowaveRadio.htm (2004)

** Data from “Licensing New Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Operators in Private Sector in Bangladesh”, BTRC (2003)

802.

16

Evaluating LastEvaluating Last--Mile OptionsMile Options1000 lines1 lineCost of ownership

USD 70,200

USD 24,000USD 1,700

USD 4,500

USD 40,000

USD 24,000,000USD 1,700,000

Annual Fee Internet Provider*Annual Fee to BTTB **

USD 4,500,000Misc.*Router, hubs and accessories (estimated)

USD 70,200,000Total

USD 40,000,000VSAT Disk *

Coverage distance few km with copper wireData rate 64kbps – 2Mbps

* Price based on Sustainable Development Networking Program (SDNBD) www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/IT-computer/IT_Revolution_A_Millennium_Opportunity.htm

** Data from “Licensing New Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Operatorsin Private Sector in Bangladesh”, BTRC (2003)

VSA

T

14

Costs ComparisonCosts Comparison–– user perspectiveuser perspective

n/an/a☺1 GbpsFiber

n/an/a☺140 MbpsMicrowave

70,200*70,200☺2 MbpsVSATLong-Haul

1,543*36,258☺☺☺24 Mbps802.16

47053,324☺☺☺35/70 kbpsWLL

840239,950☺☺3 MbpsMMDSLast-Mile

1000 lines1 line>35 km

20-35 km

10-20 km

0-10 km

Cost/line (USD)Distance from LEData Rate

Options

* Sharable bandwidth

Access charge to use PSTN from BTTB: BTTB charges a one-time registration fee of Tk10,000; installation and testing fee of Tk30,000 at 2Mbps; and a rental fee of Tk76,000 per annum.

Personal Wireless Services: these may include wireless design services, site survey services, wireless engineering services, installation and maintenance support.

Other costs: these may include cost of towers, recurring costs, end-user equipment, housing infrastructure and power supply.

Other CostsOther Costs

15

ICT Solution for BangladeshICT Solution for Bangladesh

With existing infrastructures, WLL or 802.16 are least-cost options. In any case, backbone must be able to support data needed at base stations

Area: 144,000 km2 - Flat terrain

Population: 133 million people (925 persons/km2)

Infrastructure: optical fiber, cellular tower, microwave station

Take a closer look at a target country: Bangladesh

Possibility for Possibility for Nationwide TelecomNationwide Telecom--andand--Internet Access in Internet Access in

Bangladesh Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, about 90% of the population could be served by as few as 25 towers with multiple base stations using WLL or 802.16 technologies.

35 km coverage

16

ConclusionsConclusions

LeastLeast--Cost Cost ICT Solution for Bangladesh

Recommend WLL or 802.16 for Bangladesh. Per unit cost will depend on number of clients that can be served from one location

To this end, the proposed solutions will vary depending on the available ICT infrastructure, applications, speed

requirements, and ability to pay for the services.