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New Technologies -- Wireless Access
WIRELESS ACCESS
Fixed Wireless: This is wireless in a local loop. It offers mobile services in a localised area.
Local multipoint distribution system (LMDS): It offers high-speed Net access, cable TV, and other communication services using cellular-like base stations. Exploiting microwave radio technology, LMDS offers speeds of 500 kbps.
Ten to 38 GHz broadband: Fixed radio systems are being developed to offer T3 services to big city-based companies. These networks work in previously unusable frequency bands (24 and 38 GHz) where operators have secured vast tracts of spectrum at low cost.
3G cellular service: Cellular equipment vendors are working to enhance their systems' information-carrying capabilities. Mobile systems could exceed the capabilities of future fixed networks.
FIXED ACCESS
xDSL: This enables the telecom operators to upgrade existing copper local access networks to carry video and high-speed Internet access services. Some systems boast data rates as high as 10 Mbps over distances as far as three kms -- enough to carry a high-quality TV signals to between 70-80 per cent of homes in a service area.
Cable modems: These enable a cable TV operator to carry telephony and high-speed Internet connections over an existing cable TV network. They work only with relatively modern (hybrid fibre coax) networks.
Electric utility modem: This technology enables electric utilities to carry high-speed data over power lines. The speeds are as high as those achieved by other broadband access mechanisms even as the costs are not fully known.
SATELLITE ACCESS
Global mobile personal communications services (GMPCS): Although mainly geared to provide cellular-like mobile communication services, GMPCS operators may also provide basic telephony access in the rural regions.
Broadband satellite services (BSS): "Internet in the sky" is capable in theory of providing broadband access across the world. But, it will take time to launch the system.
Airships: Airships, or stratospheric balloons, have been proposed to break the access bottleneck. Sky Station in the US, proposes to launch a series of these balloons over metros. It claims to achieve a capital cost per home of only $150 much less than the costs of any other access solution.Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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