Daily Hot Topic
Topic : Bridging the Rural Digital Divide
GS-3 Mains : Economy
Context:
- The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) approved a wireless network architecture designed by IIT Bombay for affordable rural broadband access.
Cellular Networks: Providing Mobile Connectivity
- Cellular networks (like 5G) enable mobile device connectivity through a network of base stations and core network equipment.
- Access Network (AN): Base stations provide wireless connectivity to devices within a limited area (coverage area).
- Core Network (CN): Manages data transfer between cellular networks and other networks (like the internet). It operates centrally, away from base stations.
- User data travels through both a base station and the CN to reach its destination (internet or another device).
Challenges to Rural Connectivity
- Urban-Rural Digital Divide: Cellular network deployment and usage vary significantly between urban and rural areas (especially in developing countries like India).
- Urban tele-density (127%) is much higher than rural tele-density (58%) in India (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India).
- Lower Income: Rural populations often find mobile services unaffordable.
- Population Distribution: Rural areas have lower population density, with clusters (villages) separated by large distances.
The IEEE 2061-2024 Standard
- Developed by IIT Bombay to address rural connectivity challenges.
- Defines a wireless network architecture for affordable broadband access in rural areas.
- Similar to cellular networks, the IEEE-2061 network includes a CN and an AN.
- However, the AN is heterogeneous, featuring a mix of base station types:
- Macro-BS: Large coverage area base stations.
- Small coverage area Wi-Fi hotspots.
- This differs from homogeneous 5G networks where all base stations have a similar coverage area.
- However, the AN is heterogeneous, featuring a mix of base station types:
- Seamless Connectivity: A key feature allows devices to switch between Wi-Fi and macro-BS connectivity without service disruption.
- Significance in a Heterogeneous Network Landscape:
- Future wireless systems will include a mix of legacy and new technologies (4G, 5G, 6G, Wi-Fi).
- The integrated AN control functionality in IEEE-2061 helps avoid service disruptions like call drops in such networks.
The Middle-Mile Network
- The IEEE-2061 standard proposes a multi-hop wireless middle-mile network to extend connectivity in areas lacking optical fiber links.
- Multi-hop Wireless Middle-Mile: Provides cost-effective long-distance connectivity, eliminating the need for expensive and complex optical fiber deployment.
- The IEEE-2061 network can utilize various technologies like satellites or long-range Wi-Fi for the middle mile.
Conclusion
- IEEE-2061-2024 is the second successful IEEE standard developed by IIT Bombay.
- If adopted, this standard has the potential to provide affordable internet connectivity to rural populations.
- The novel concepts of CN bypass and integrated AN control may pave the way for future flexible and scalable mobile networks.
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