An Enhanced Wireless Network for Low Income Users

Abstract

Information and communication technology present huge potentials for socio-economic development in under-served communities. Wireless network offers great opportunity for the provision of affordable Internet services and bridge the digital gap among low income earners. In this study, a wireless network that is scalable and easily manageable was designed and implemented to cover five rural communities. We have been monitoring and maintaining the network for more than three years. Over time signal attenuation has been experienced as a result of environmental changes such as trees creating obstacles. A mesh network at the access layer was deployed to enhance throughput and signal propagation. Data was collected and analyzed to assess network and end users performance. The results shows that the transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) rate of 300Mbps/300Mbps was observed and a throughput loss of 0.5Mbps on the network. The point-to-multipoint access layer design increased the throughput, enhance signal coverage and quality of service.