ITU Telecom World 2003

October 6, 2003
Innovative solutions for developing countries

Prof. Madhukar Pitke

MUMBAI -- The need for innovation in meeting the communication needs of developing countries is well known. Several novel innovative solutions were attempted in the eighties with some degree of success. The focus was on developing low cost switching and transmission n components with simple network operation and management tools. RAX, the rural automatic exchange, a small central office switch developed by C-DOT in India, has been a good example. Tens of thousands of these switches are in operation in some of the most remote and isolated areas. Such solutions are made possible by the availability of the right technology at the right time, and by the ability to innovate. For the RAX, emergence of IBM PCs, CMOS technology, and low-cost software development and management tools was crucial.

This situation has not changed even after the rapid expansion of the communication network worldwide and the emergence of the Internet. The 'digital divide' appears to have widened. The need now is not only for low cost reliable telephony, but access to high quality Internet as well. In this paper, we intend to examine the possible solutions based on technology developments and options.

Communications technology is moving into the so-called next-generation. Fiber-based gigabit rate packet networks form the backbones of national and global networks. The cost of bandwidth has drastically reduced. Intelligent network technology has transformed network architecture, basing it on generic, commodity components like switching matrix, signaling servers, protocol stacks and NMS. The Internet revolution is forcing all traffic, voice and non-voice, on IP/packet networks. The need for interfacing the old TDM/circuit-switched network with the new IP packet networks led to the development of softswitches -- platforms that handle call processing and signaling and media gateways. A good, cost-effective access network is the key to the solution.

Based on our experience with legacy systems and NGN technology, we are developing a system for application in rural and remote areas. At the core is a softswitch developed by adapting the well-tested and proven software for the PBX and the rural switch. This was facilitated by the software architecture that was based on parallel processing. Small, inexpensive gateways for connecting E1/T1 links on the one side (PSTN) with a packet network (IP) on the other have been developed using low-cost DSP components. The small capacity and low cost of these components make them ideal for rural applications.

A simple network management system completes the picture. Access network is Ethernet-based, with several technology options for providing carrier class telephony and broadband Internet. The possibility of an access network based on low cost plastic fibers is also being considered. Field trials of systems with basic facilities are likely to start within a month's time. In my paper, I shall discuss in detail various issues in the design and implementation of the system as well as the possibilities of introducing new facilities in the future.

(The author is vice chairman -- technology, Axes Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd.)