Broadband Technology over PowerLine Networks in Malaysia
Introduction
Since getting independence from the British in 1957 Malaysia has started on various development projects to increase the country’s growth (United Nations Country Team, Malaysia, 2005). So far, development and prosperity are the main priority that displaying at for example Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategic roadmap for Malaysia, which developed by the National Information Technology Council (NITC) (MOSTI, 2007). NITC functions are advisor and consultant to the government on ICT development matters. By the year 2020 Malaysia desires to become completely developed country regarding to 2020 vision’s long-term objective that provides achievement direction of specific goals. Malaysian Vision 2020 was exposed by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad at the introductory meeting of the Malaysian business council on 28 February 1991 (Ra?kul, 2010). This need tremendous recommendation of full ICT applying through all aspect of life economically, socially and environmentally in order to get prosperity that 2020 trying to achieved, one of the initiatives is presented by telecentres around whole Malaysia. The accessing and gaining knowledge are essential for development of societies therefore, countries, regions and populations divided in terms of access to ICT. Socioeconomic indicators in Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Netherlands and Germany are used to show that the existing global digital divide and the knowledge gap are widening between developing countries and the industrial countries and within individual nations (Evers & Gerke, 2004). That’s why, ICT could become the most useful tool for Malaysia which is member in the ASEAN in achieving its goal of “One Vision, One Identity, and One Community” (Ideacorp & ASEAN, 2010). Thus, to establishment and promote such an efficient ICTs are using equally by a certain citizen must carefully study and spend tremendous efforts to preventing the digital divide phenomenon appear with that community. Developing ASEAN ICT infrastructure faces a number of challenges. The most important one comes from the extent of digital divide across the ASEAN member states and how to overcome this matter. Bridging the digital divide requires commitment from the member states to improve the competitiveness of their national ICT sectors. Other challenges, within the framework of ASEAN initiatives, include insufficient coordination to ensure connectivity amongst National Information Infrastructure (NII), the need to 1
nurture technological innovation, as well as lack of financing schemes for infrastructure projects that involve significant participation of private capital, and improving access and affordability to reduce the digital divide. However, the digital divide within ASEAN remains, especially between the lagging regions and the urban areas on the one hand and between countries on the other hand. The digital divide needs to be reduced in order to narrow the development gaps within the region (ASEAN, 2011). ICT and Bridging Digital Divide Bridging the digital divide initiatives’ between urban and rural in Malaysia have been significant since rise of Information Technology revolution around the entire world particularly, in developed countries. Empower people with access to computing and internet let them get new ideas, knowledge, technology, cultures and myriad new skills, especially the youth segment (Pandey, Goel & Gangal 2008). The development of ICT at the global level has prompted the Malaysian government to strengthen the role of ICT in national economic development (International Development Research Centre 2010). Singapore and Malaysia have been singled out for their success in promoting economic development through severe development policies, including support for the growth of a knowledge-based economy and the formation of knowledge societies. In spite of all that government local and global initiatives still a disturbing phenomenon which is Digital divide between Malaysian (Evers & Gerke, 2004). Digital Divide refers to the uneven distribution of ICT between and within nations. In each country there are people who have access to modern communication technology while others are not enabled to make use of telephone connections, the internet and other ICT features (Evers & Gerke, 2004). Digital divide can be divided to two kinds: The first Internet access on the digital divide refers to the gap, also known as "accessing divide"; the second digital divide exists between the Internet usages, also known as "using divides” (Zeng, 2011). Modern society is measured by the wholly of diffusion of ICT in all the life aspects, such as but not exclusively, shopping, banking and taxes payment. Scholars use the term Digital divide as a measure of technology diffusion (Wattal et al, 2011). See Figure (1) which shows the access gap of using ICT and its impact on socio- economic value.
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Figure (1). Understanding Digital Divide. Source: (Md-Dahalin et al, 2010).
Any initiatives to bridge digital divide must consider the A4I2 framework which was developed to prosper the initiative of bridging digital divide in Malaysia which include access, adaptability, acceptance, attitude, innovation and inclusion. Studies conducted in developing and developed countries revealed that there are substantial gaps in access to computer use between different groups of society (Mohd.Nor et al, 2011). Taking into account the fact that a great number of marginalized or underserved citizen for example children in Malaysia have very limited access to the Internet due to the imbalanced user/computer ratio at government agencies (Genus & Nor, 2009). The government’s quest for a knowledge society and narrowing or better still, eradicating the digital divide, has been part of the national plans such as the recently tabled Budget 2011 (Hashim et al, 2011). According to Wong (2007), there are several obstacles for the disadvantaged segment being marginalized from society to access ICT. One of those obstacles is Limited technological infrastructure in rural areas. According to Horak (2007), for many years in rural areas to provide Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) to extremely remote customers who had electric service but for whom it would be too costly to provide telephone service over dedicated twisted-pair local loops. Price is an important factor in purchasing and postpurchasing internet access (Chang, & Chong, 2011). BPL is a much advanced broadband version of PLC that represents an alternative to more visible technologies being deployed by the wireless technology and cable TV providers. 3
Malaysia’s Internet and E-Services Report (2010), is showed that there is an increasing awareness of technology in Malaysia. With the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Project and the government’s commitment to a technological society, a large number of high tech companies from around the world have started to set up in Malaysia. But efforts at encouraging the wider community to embrace technology have so far not been totally successful. Dial-up Internet access is growing steadily, but there has been very little interest in broadband Internet
Broadband Access Technologies
According to Malaysia Internet Usage Stats and Marketing Report (2010), in 2004 the number of subscribers was 2.9 million, in 2005 it increased to 3.5 million subscribers, and in 2006 the number of subscribers in Malaysia was close to five million. This is an encouraging growing trend, and most of the Internet subscribers were eyeing for high speed broadband infrastructure. According to the Malaysia - Telecommunications Infrastructure Report (2010), the building of Malaysia’s telecommunications infrastructure has seen extensive fiber optic networks installed across the length and breadth of the country. A prime example has been the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project. Based on some of a lot of industry report, analysis and studies such as Australian Information Industry Association (2011), Atkinson et al (2009) and Boston Consulting Group (2010) have shown a direct relationship between the availability and penetration rate of broadband and an improvement in productivity, quality of education, quality of health care, generation of new high-paying jobs, and facilitation of new channels for commerce. These, in turn, can all lead directly to national economic growth with a direct impact on gross domestic product (GDP) and even enhanced national security. As consequence for that, economic growth, knowledge use, and jobs will attract to those societies that are the most connected, with the most networks and the broadest amount of bandwidth because these countries find it easiest to assemble, deploy and share knowledge in order to design, invent, manufacture, sell, provide services, communicate, educate and entertain (Kim, 2000). So connectivity is now productivity especially if that connection reached each household at urban and rural area via BPL, which need no to re-wire or build new infrastructure moreover, available everywhere, every outlet. As the broadband revolution countries, the ever increasing competition in the broadband services market is forcing broadband service suppliers to plan their strategies for delivery of triple play services, with voice, data and video provided by a single connection (CORNING, 2005). Broadband access in urban areas is already provided by passive optical networks (PON) and digital subscriber loop (DSL) technologies with speed exceeding 200 kilobits per second (Kbps), or 200,000 bits per second in at least one direction, either downstream or upstream. At same time the demand for high capacity broadband is being driven by “always-on” services such as video-conferencing, high definition video 4
streaming and interactive gaming. However, the much higher cost of network deployment in rural areas (Riding et al, 2009). According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (2007), shows the importance of broadband access. See figure (2) a lot of benefits back on the social and economic.
Figure (2). Importance of Broadband Access. Source: (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, 2007).
Wireless and WiMax Technology Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) is a technology for wireless broadband and the core techniques for the fourth-generation (4G) wireless mobile communications. WiMAX is a new broadband wireless access technology that provides very high data throughput over long distance in a point-to-multipoint environment. There are two main classes of WiMAX system called fixedWiMAX and mobile WiMAX (Ramle et al, 2010). Fixed WiMAX can be utilized to effectively provide broadband penetration to rural areas. The idea is to use lower frequencies (ex. 450MHz) which have favorable propagation conditions for covering large distances (Sapumohotti et al, 2011). WiMAX 5
(IEEE802.16) provides service to many devices like notebook personal computer; handset, smart phone and some consumers? electronics such as gaming devices, cameras, camcorder, and music player. It is the first of all IP mobile internet solution enabling efficient and scalable networks for data, video and voice. It is one of the wireless metropolitan area networking that operates at scalable bandwidth (Shu’aibu, & Yusof, 2010). Wireless broadband Wireless broadband services transmit data and information at high speeds using wireless links. Such data and information can include a wide range of content and applications that are accessed over the Internet, including web sites, e-mail, instant messaging, music, games, or data stored on a corporate server. Wireless broadband Internet access services can be provided using mobile, fixed, or portable technologies. These technologies can transmit data over short, medium, or long ranges, and can use licensed spectrum and/or unlicensed devices. Some of the wireless broadband Internet access technologies in use today include CDMA 1x EV-DO (EV-DO), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) with High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and Wi-Fi (Federal Communications Commission, 2008). Telecentres Malaysian government exposed the bridge digital divide program via telecenter beginning 2000 as an effort to boost the use and access of ICT among rural communities and marginalized groups in Malaysia (Jusoff, Hassan, & Razak, 2010). Telecentres purposes introduce and encourage the usage of ICT; and to create community communication equipped with a range of ICT services to facilitate Internet access, ecommerce, and e-learning (Ibrahim, & Ainin, 2009). According to Clark and Gomez (2011), Public access to computers and the Internet at libraries, telecentres and cybercafé can play an important role in social and economic development if it effectively helps to meet the needs of underserved populations where it is not sometime free of charge. Clark and Gomez have studied and analyzed role of user fees and other critical barriers in the use of computers in public access venues in 25 developing countries around the world which Malaysia was one of them, Study’s findings indicate that user fees do not stopped use of public access venues such as telecentres, as they are not seen as unaffordable, that means users fees and users have the desire of use ICT and get access to the internet. But at the same time, the implications of these findings are of critical importance to telecentres, and to public libraries. These two types of public access venues have a social mission that is not necessarily shared with cybercafés, but cybercafés tend to be more successful in both meeting local needs of users. Users tend to perceive cybercafés as offering good customer 6
service and support, even though they charge user fees. Users also tend to perceive libraries as outdated and irrelevant to their local needs. Telecentres and public libraries face important sustainability challenges, with decreasing public or donor funds for public access ICT initiatives. As consequence of all that sustainable challenges, the venues and ICT services will remain unused.
Wi-Fi Network and Mobile Broadband Wi-Fi networks can transfer data at speeds of up to 11 Mbps for 802.11b and up to 54 Mbps for 802.11a and 802.11g. They can be designed for private access within a home or business, or can be used for public Internet access at "hot spots" such as restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, airports, convention centers, and city parks. Mobile broadband technologies enable subscribers to access the Internet while traveling at high speeds via a mobile handset, a smartphone, or a wireless modem card connected to a laptop computer or PDA. Mobile broadband technologies used by carriers in the United States, such as EV-DO and WCDMA/HSPDA, are capable of transmitting data at speeds ranging in excess of 400 kbps (Federal Communications Commission, 2008). Broadband over PowerLine (BPL) Technology BPL is a technology that utilizes electrical power lines for high speed transmission of data, video, voice, etc. it works by transmitting high frequently signals through the same power cable used for carrying electricity to households. BPL uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulation (OFDM). OFDM is enabling providers to offer wireless broadband services that are often considered "portable" in nature. Power lines basically are provided in each house over the entire world. see figure (4) below, that main pillar could help quickly connected with broadband and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) with lowest need for a new massive infrastructure and its tremendous financial investment. In developed countries normally have various options of broadband and telephony services even if sometimes high-priced. While developing countries have shortage telecommunications infrastructure. So, it would be useful at those countries to make use of power line communications (Ma, 2005).
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Electricity Pole
Building
House
Figure(4). Power lines basically are provided in each house over the entire world.
In a developing nation like Malaysia, the government has started to work on a national plan in bridging the digital divide by providing the necessary infrastructure for universal access to the internet. It’s trying to bridging that divide by corporate government and private sector through various strategies and technologies such as telecenres, internet access via BPL or Powerline Communication (PLC) for last mile connectivity which is applying now a day at Cyberjaya since 2005 of installment and experience. City Broadband or Cyberjaya is now offering BPL internet access service in partnering with PG Communications as the BPL solution partner. PG Communications Sdn Bhd (Sendirian Berhad means incorporated or subsidiary of Utilities Company) was established in 2005 wholly own subsidiary of Inno-Pacific Holdings limited a public company listed in Singapore stock exchange. PG offer total communications services and solutions via independent telephony gateway and broadband using Power Line Communication (BPL/PLC). City Broadband has over seven years of experience in designing, implementing and operating broadband services for enterprises and residential in Cyberjaya (citybroadband.net, 2011). Such BPL technology it would bridging a large part of digital divide cause of having no need to re-wiring or building new infrastructure. BPL has given fresh spark to an old technology known as PowerLine Carrier. BPL is simple and has been established for quite some time: using the electrical power transmission lines as the transport media for broadband communications (Qiu, 2007). In other words, BPL is technology providing high-speed internet access through plug a computer in any electrical outlet to get instantly internet which implemented through several scenarios with certain devices and apparatus that are explained in literatures review. BPL has been rapidly developed and has entered into the home networking market with its wide availability and existing infrastructure, no new wiring is needed to connect multiple house hold devices (Chen et al, 2010).
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Problem Statement
Bridging the digital divide is one of such need which requires straightforward and immediate attention, thus all ongoing programmes on closing the digital divide in Malaysia need to be completed by 2010, according to Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Deputy Minister of Malaysia’s Energy, Water and Communications Ministry (Li, 2009). Until June
2003, the number of Internet subscribers in Malaysia was 2.73 million. The statistics show that 93 percent of the Internet subscribers were concentrated in urban areas (Zaitun, & Crump, 2005).
Unfortunately, the digital divide within the population can clearly be identified, with differences based on education, gender, age, geographical location, income and workplace. Most likely to be marginalized whom rural population particularly lower income groups (Mohamed, 2005). Broadband technology is no longer considered as a new technological invention, but the adoption rate in Malaysia is still below expectation level as compared to many countries. Several studies have offered insights on the adoption and diffusion of broadband in both macro (Choudrie & Lee, 2004), (Feijoo, Gomez-Barroso, Ramos, & Rojo-Alonso, 2006) and micro level (Choudrie & Dwivedi, 2006) to understand the broadband deployment in the developed world as well as in the leading countries, such as South Korea and the UK. At the time, some other studies are focused on Telecommunication Infrastructure such as Computer Communication System (Telecentres), WiMax, Mobile networks Telecom Infrastructure, Wi-Fi Network, Wireless Networks, IEEE with its different standards and last but not least the new technology which is Ballon as broadcaster.
Related works
Bridging Digital Divide According to Giri (2002), “ those who support the Internet's power as a medium uniquely suited to building open societies must study what can be done to make Internet access widely available and affordable to the most disadvantaged communities and individuals”. At the same Giri’s study, have developed a model that reflects the issues in digital divide of the developing countries in south Asia see figure below which shows strategic model for bridging digital divide in developing countries, model itself as well shows the necessity of durable tools and an affordable Information and Communication Technologies. In Malaysia’s quest to have an inclusive and computer savvy society, such plans have to be continuously enforced, it is hoped that the expansion of the ICT infrastructure across the country will reduce the digital divide and subsequently, benefit all segments of 9
populace (Hashim et al, 2011). One of the initiatives is the Universal Service Programme (USP) undertaking of RM600 million that is focused on increasing communications infrastructure in rural areas nationwide (Li, 2009). Accessing to the ICT is one of three main issues on the ICT applications, with the adoption and the Value of using ICT among Malaysian community, those three are mentioned in The Malaysian National Strategic Framework of Bridging Dgital Divide (Razak & Malek, 2008).
Broadband Access Technologies Access networks are very important for network providers because of their high costs and the possibility of the realization of a direct access to the end users/subscribers. Lately, about 50% of all investments in the telecommunications infrastructure are needed for the realization of telecommunications access networks. However, an access network connects a limited number of individual subscribers, as opposed to a transport communication network (Figure 6). Therefore, economic efficiency of the access networks is lower than in wide area networks (WAN). Realization of the access networks for individual subscribers is also economically less efficient. On the other hand, a direct access to the subscribers increases the opportunities for network providers to offer a higher number of various services. This attracts the subscribers to become contract-bound customers of a particular network provider, which increases the usage of its transport network. Therefore, the access to the individual subscribers seems to be important as well. (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
Figure (6). General structure of telecommunications networks. Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
After the deregulation of the telecommunications market in a large number of countries, the access networks are still the property of former monopolistic companies (incumbent network providers). New network providers build up their transport networks 10
(WAN), but they still have to use the access infrastructure owned by an incumbent provider. Because of this, new network providers try to find a solution to offer their own access network to the subscribers. On the other hand, a rapid development of new telecommunications services increases the demand for more transmission capacity in the transport networks as well as in the access area. Therefore, there is a permanent need for an extension of the access infrastructure. There are two possibilities for the expansion of the access networks:
Building of new networks Generally, the building of new access networks can be realized with the following techniques: • New cable or optical network • Wireless access systems
?
Wireless mobile systems. Figure (7).
Figure (7). Structure of wireless mobile network Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
?
Fixed wireless systems. Figure (8).
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Figure (8). Structure of ?xed wireless networks – Wireless Local Loop. Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
• Satellite systems. Or: Usage of the existing infrastructure
?
Classical telephone networks which are equipped by Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). Figure (9).
Figure(9). Structure of DSL access networks. Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
? TV cable networks (CATV) 12
Figure (10). Structure of CATV access networks. Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
? Electrical power supply networks BPL Types There are two types of BPL systems first one is In-House BPL, which uses the electrical outlets available within a building to transfer information between computers and other home electronic appliances; second one is Access BPL systems, which carry highspeed communication signals outdoors over the medium voltage (MV) lines, from a point where there is a connection to the Internet (backhaul point), to neighborhoods, where they are distributed to homes via the low voltage (LV) power lines or Wi-Fi links (Federal Communications Commission, 2008). In the situation where an Access network is connected to a household with an In-Home network, the PLC communication signal can propagate between both networks (Le Phu Do & Lehnert, 2010). (Figure 11).
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Figure (11). Access and In-Home PLC domains. Source: (Le Phu Do & Lehnert, 2010).
Broadband is wide term, historically broadband meant providing TV to homes but, in general means a connection with a high speed, from the technical aspect high-speed changes with the passage of time (Gumaste et al, 2005). Many applications such as streaming video and audio, distance learning, real time, medical imaging, and movie downloads, and online gaming require broadband (Kota et al, 2004). Therefore, broadband is capable to provide mix of data, audio, voice, video and so on. BPL allows plugging a computer into any electrical outlet in a home and instantly having access to high-speed Internet. By combining the technological principles of radio, wireless networking, and modems, developers have created a way to send data over power lines and into homes at speeds between 500 kilobits and 3 megabits per second (equivalent to DSL and cable). BPL is already being tested in several cities around the United States and the United Kingdom figure.1 below gives general view bout a BPL system (Valdes, 2011). (Figure 12).
Figure (12): BPL system Architecture. Source: (Valdes, 2011).
According to Sarafi and her group (2009) they were doing trail network which carries title “Hybrid Wireless-Broadband over Power Lines: A Promising Broadband Solution in Rural Areas”. Main point here is how to turning the electricity grid into a smart grid via transforming the power grid into an IP based, from the outcome of the trial project and the relevant measurements it seems that W-BPL technology represent a viable solution for rural broadband communications and may be the beginning of a new era for power supply networks therefore, Hybrid W-BPL networks combine the ubiquitous power distribution grid with WiFi technology to create a reliable, high capacity and cost effective access network. Finally, the trail’s result mentioned that a hybrid wireless-broadband over power lines network is suitable for rural and remote areas and offering smart grid
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applications and broadband access along 107 km Medium Voltage (MV) power grid in Larissa, a rural area in central Greece. Furthermore, the recent tabulation of Budget 2011 evidenced the importance of ICT which is the sixth National Key Economic Area (NKEA) from the twelve strategies (Razak, 2010). But, In Malaysia, United Nation projected that there are 7.7 million (26%) people currently living in rural areas which consider large proportion of the population. For these communities, it is believed that providing communications services are an important step to facilitate development and social equity (Omar et al, 2010). Studies by a team of researchers from Malaysia examined the level of internet adoption in two rural communities, Bario and Long Bedian, in Sarawak, Malaysia. Their findings indicated that access to adequate and affordable ICT infrastructure was important in providing connectivity to these remote communities (Nair et al, 2010). A project in the city of Kolkata India is tested BPL. The result of performance of implemented on eighty houses in two cites were achieved in detail. Results obtained on different functional parameters namely speed; area and coverage under varied conditions. Based on the findings of the pilot project in Kolkata it can be reasonably concluded that the low voltage electrical network of utilities in India are capable of providing the last mile broadband connectivity to the Internet users requiring high bandwidth. Moreover, the technology can also be deployed in urban and rural sectors where get internet access is limited (Ray & Hazra, 2011). According to Yang and Arteaga (2009), they have done a trail of a twelve month Broadband over Powerline in building in a Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU). They used the building’s low voltage electric network wiring for BPL system transport medium to support an IP Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and VoIP intercom application. The trail aim was installed BPL to provide high-speed Bi-Directional data communication of video and voice security applications for sixteen residential building with over one hundred apartments. Figure.3 shows BPL architecture on low voltage MDU distribution circuit. The key point here is the task of Extender, which was to convert Ethernet data packages to BPL signals for injection onto building electrical risers, after that Customer Premise Equipment modem convert BPL back to Ethernet data package. As consequence for that trial, clearly demonstrated that the newer 200-Mbps generation of BPL equipment used in this trial performed reliably under noisy conditions and was able to operate successfully over aged electrical infrastructure during the 12 month trial. The most important fact is the ability of the system to deliver required bandwidth for bandwidth intensive applications and provide scalability when needed. (Figure 13).
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Figure (13). shows BPL architecture on low voltage MDU distribution circuit. Source: (Yang & Arteaga, 2009).
The E-Bario Project The E-Bario project gives great lesson of challenging for bridging digital divide in Malaysia. The project is being managed by the University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), financially supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic System (MIMOS). Bario and Long Bedian are remote areas located in Sarawak. Telecommunication infrastructure in those areas were very simple before inter of the ICT project by UNIMAS. The people there were depend on unreliable radio calls to communicate with outside world; power grid and treated water is not available and generator of power by solar, a lot of other obstacles are found over there, but the need of data and voice communication could be provided there. For voice communication, telephone closets were established and Local Area Network was installed at the telecentre and school (Hushairi et al, 2004). The e-Bario and the e-Bedian project have
shown that connecting the most remote areas in Sarawak is very challenging but not impossible see figure.2 below. In the absence of both regular power supply and telecommunication infrastructure, the e-Bario and e-Bedian was successfully implemented providing ICTs to the community. VSAT was used successfully to connect Bario and Long Bedian with the outside world. Alternative transmission medium such as microwave and cables are not suitable for places like Bario and Long Bedian because of high cost of implementation and maintenance.
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Figure(14). Satallite Connection in Bario. Source: (Hushairi et al, 2004).
Motorola Powerline MU Solution provides a broadband over low-voltage power line access solution that delivers reliable performance supported verified security features to multiple-dwelling units while mitigating interference by using low voltage wires. Motorola Powerline MU is designed for and works with the Canopy™ wireless broadband Internet platform (Figure 15). The standard Canopy system provides the broadband backbone for the system, creating a wireless transport system to the hotel, apartment building, or other multiple dwelling units (Motorola, 2007).
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Figure (15). Powerline MU Network Overview. Source: (Motorola, 2007).
According to Lurdunathan and Ramayah (2009), they have done survey covered 4, 925 Internet users of private households (both dial-up and xDSL users). The survey also covered the reasons for not engaging in Internet usage based on 2005 nonuser households. About 14% of respondents said that high price is a factor that prevents them from subscribing to broadband. The survey results also show a large portion of respondents mentioned that their broadband subscriber are from the no-income category and the monthly subscription fees are being paid by their parents. This is an evident that broadband users are mostly students. Power Line Operation Power line operations and the manner by which data can be transmitted concurrent with electricity. Standard alternating current (AC) is transmitted at a frequency of 60 Hz in North America and at 50 Hz in Europe and many other locations throughout the world. This means that, similar to a telephone company localloop, electrical lines have almost all of their frequency available for utilization for other purposes, to include data transmission. See figure # below, which illustrates the frequency use of a power line. Assuming the power line is used in North America; frequencies beyond 60 Hz are unused. Thus, the evolution of data transmission over the unused frequencies of power lines is based on the same concepts that enable DSL to provide millions of subscribers with high-speed Internet access (Held, 2006). 18
Figure # Frequency use of a power line. Source: (Held, 2006).
Power Generator
HVF
Power Transmitter
MVF
Neighborhood Transformer
LVF
LVF
LV F
Residential 1
Residential 3
Residential 2
General Electrical Utility Model
References
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Australian Information Industry Association. (2011). house standing committee on infrastructure and communications. Retrieved November 10, 2011, from http://www.aiia.com.au/resource/collection/616F7C80-7482-4BD2-BC567CB073152402/AIIA_NBN_submission__March_2011.pdf Boston Consulting Group. (2010). Socio-economic impact of allocating 700 MHz band to mobile in Asia Pacific. Retrieved November 10, 2011, from http://www.gsmworld.com/ddtoolkit/uploads/assets/downloads/07/allocating-700mhz-bandto-mobile-in-asia-pacific.pdf Chen, S., Magani, M., Chen, X., & Parini, C. (2010). Exploit adaptive modulation in uwb powerline communication for improved ber performance. Power Line Communications and Its Applications (ISPLC), IEEE International Symposium, 195-200. citybroadband.net. (2011). Broadband-over-powerline (bpl). Retrieved October 13, 2011 fromhttp://citybroadband.net.my/BPL/BPL%20A4%20Brochure%20Front&Back%20OL.pdf Clark, M., & Gomez, R. (2011). Cost and other barriers to public access computing in developing countries. Proceedings of the 2011 Iconference, Washington, 08 - 11 February 2011 (pp.181188). Washington, USA: Seattle University. Evers, H., & Gerke, S. (2004). Closing the digital divide: southeast asia’s path towards a knowledge society. Paper presented at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University, Sweden. Ferina, M. (2010). Fine-tuning local efforts to bridge digital divide asia-pacific development information programme. Retrieved November 1, 2011 from http://www.apdip.net/projects/rhdr/resources/nstp03032004.htm Genus, A., Nor, M. (2009). Bridging the digital divide in malaysia: an empirical analysis of technological transformation and implications for e-development. Asia Pacific Business Review, ScienceDirect, 13(1), 95-112. Gumaste, A., Chlamtac, I., Szabo, A. (2005). Broadband services: business models and technologies for community networks. England: west sussex. Hariyanto, H., Santoso, H., & Widiawan, A. (2009). Emergency broadband access network using low altitude platform. Instrumentation, Communications, Information Technology, and Biomedical Engineering (ICICI-BME), IEEE International conference, 1-6, 23-25. Hashim, R., Idris, S., Baharud-din., Z. & Ustadi., A. (2011). Assessing digital literacy among the semai trible of perak, malaysia. Computer Research and Development (ICCRD), IEEE, 3rd International Conference, (1), 9-12, 11-13. Horak, R. (2007). Telecommunications and data communications handbook. New Jersey: Hoboken. Ibrahim, Z., & Ainin, S. (2009). The Influence of Malaysian Telecenters on Community Building. Electronic Journal of e-Government, 7(1), 77 - 86. Ideacorp., & ASEAN. (2010). ICT in Governance and Community Building in ASEAN. Singapore: ISEAS. International Development Research Centre. (2010). Digital review of asia pacific 2009-2010. Canada: Montreal.
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Jusoff, K., Hassan, Z., Razak, N. (2010). Bridging the digital divide: An analysis of the training program at Malaysian telecenters.In Proceeding for International Conference on Applied and Theoretical Mechanics, WSEAS, 2010. Held on December 29-31 2010. At Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Selangor. pp 15-23. Malaysia: SciVerse. Kim. S. (2000). Korea's globalization. South Korea: Cambridge University press. Kota, L., pahlavan, K., Leppanen, P. (2004). Broadband Satellite Communications for Internet Access. North, Central And South America: Kluwer Academic. Li, J. (2009). Digital inclusion, local government: malaysia to speed up digital inclusion. Retrieved October 2, 2010 from http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2009/mar/10/malaysia-speeddigital-inclusion. Ma, Y., So, P., & Gunawan, E. (2005). Performance analysis of OFDM systems for broadband power line communications under impulsive noise and multipath effects. Power Delivery, IEEE, 20(2), 674- 682. Mohamed, T. (2005). Digital divide in malaysia: examining the issues of income, workplace and geographical difference in diffusing ict to the mass public. Unpublished Ph.D's thesis, Waseda University, Tokyo. Mohd.Nor, F., Razaka, A., Abdullaha, Y., Maleka, A., & Salmana, A. (2011). Empowering marginalized community with an innovative technology. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, SecienceDirect, 15(2011), 3374-3378. MOSTI. (2007). Strategic ICT roadmap for Malaysia. Retrieved October 22, 2011 from http://www.mosti.gov.my/mosti/images/pdf/National%20ICT%20Roadmap%20for%20Mala ysia.pdf Nair, M., Gil-Soo, H., & Goon, P. (2010). Railblazers and laggards in internet sophistication among rural society: Empirical evidence from Malaysia. Information Technology (ITSim), IEEE, International Symposium, (1), 1-10, 15-17. Omar, M., Hassan, S., & Shabli, A. (2010). Feasibility Study of Using IEEE 802.22 Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) in Malaysia. Network Applications Protocols and Services (NETAPPS), IEEE, Second International Conference, 198-202, 22-23. Pandey, A., Goel, A., & Gangal, D. (2008). From digital divide to digital opportunity. TENCON IEEE Region 10 Conference, 1-6, 19-21. Qiu, X. (2007). Powerful talk. IEEE Power Engineer, 21(1), 38-43. Ra?kul, I. (2010). Critical success factors of the nine challenges in Malaysia’s vision 2020. SocioEconomic Planning Sciences, 44(4). 199-211.
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doc_100784805.docx
Introduction
Since getting independence from the British in 1957 Malaysia has started on various development projects to increase the country’s growth (United Nations Country Team, Malaysia, 2005). So far, development and prosperity are the main priority that displaying at for example Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategic roadmap for Malaysia, which developed by the National Information Technology Council (NITC) (MOSTI, 2007). NITC functions are advisor and consultant to the government on ICT development matters. By the year 2020 Malaysia desires to become completely developed country regarding to 2020 vision’s long-term objective that provides achievement direction of specific goals. Malaysian Vision 2020 was exposed by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad at the introductory meeting of the Malaysian business council on 28 February 1991 (Ra?kul, 2010). This need tremendous recommendation of full ICT applying through all aspect of life economically, socially and environmentally in order to get prosperity that 2020 trying to achieved, one of the initiatives is presented by telecentres around whole Malaysia. The accessing and gaining knowledge are essential for development of societies therefore, countries, regions and populations divided in terms of access to ICT. Socioeconomic indicators in Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Netherlands and Germany are used to show that the existing global digital divide and the knowledge gap are widening between developing countries and the industrial countries and within individual nations (Evers & Gerke, 2004). That’s why, ICT could become the most useful tool for Malaysia which is member in the ASEAN in achieving its goal of “One Vision, One Identity, and One Community” (Ideacorp & ASEAN, 2010). Thus, to establishment and promote such an efficient ICTs are using equally by a certain citizen must carefully study and spend tremendous efforts to preventing the digital divide phenomenon appear with that community. Developing ASEAN ICT infrastructure faces a number of challenges. The most important one comes from the extent of digital divide across the ASEAN member states and how to overcome this matter. Bridging the digital divide requires commitment from the member states to improve the competitiveness of their national ICT sectors. Other challenges, within the framework of ASEAN initiatives, include insufficient coordination to ensure connectivity amongst National Information Infrastructure (NII), the need to 1
nurture technological innovation, as well as lack of financing schemes for infrastructure projects that involve significant participation of private capital, and improving access and affordability to reduce the digital divide. However, the digital divide within ASEAN remains, especially between the lagging regions and the urban areas on the one hand and between countries on the other hand. The digital divide needs to be reduced in order to narrow the development gaps within the region (ASEAN, 2011). ICT and Bridging Digital Divide Bridging the digital divide initiatives’ between urban and rural in Malaysia have been significant since rise of Information Technology revolution around the entire world particularly, in developed countries. Empower people with access to computing and internet let them get new ideas, knowledge, technology, cultures and myriad new skills, especially the youth segment (Pandey, Goel & Gangal 2008). The development of ICT at the global level has prompted the Malaysian government to strengthen the role of ICT in national economic development (International Development Research Centre 2010). Singapore and Malaysia have been singled out for their success in promoting economic development through severe development policies, including support for the growth of a knowledge-based economy and the formation of knowledge societies. In spite of all that government local and global initiatives still a disturbing phenomenon which is Digital divide between Malaysian (Evers & Gerke, 2004). Digital Divide refers to the uneven distribution of ICT between and within nations. In each country there are people who have access to modern communication technology while others are not enabled to make use of telephone connections, the internet and other ICT features (Evers & Gerke, 2004). Digital divide can be divided to two kinds: The first Internet access on the digital divide refers to the gap, also known as "accessing divide"; the second digital divide exists between the Internet usages, also known as "using divides” (Zeng, 2011). Modern society is measured by the wholly of diffusion of ICT in all the life aspects, such as but not exclusively, shopping, banking and taxes payment. Scholars use the term Digital divide as a measure of technology diffusion (Wattal et al, 2011). See Figure (1) which shows the access gap of using ICT and its impact on socio- economic value.
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Figure (1). Understanding Digital Divide. Source: (Md-Dahalin et al, 2010).
Any initiatives to bridge digital divide must consider the A4I2 framework which was developed to prosper the initiative of bridging digital divide in Malaysia which include access, adaptability, acceptance, attitude, innovation and inclusion. Studies conducted in developing and developed countries revealed that there are substantial gaps in access to computer use between different groups of society (Mohd.Nor et al, 2011). Taking into account the fact that a great number of marginalized or underserved citizen for example children in Malaysia have very limited access to the Internet due to the imbalanced user/computer ratio at government agencies (Genus & Nor, 2009). The government’s quest for a knowledge society and narrowing or better still, eradicating the digital divide, has been part of the national plans such as the recently tabled Budget 2011 (Hashim et al, 2011). According to Wong (2007), there are several obstacles for the disadvantaged segment being marginalized from society to access ICT. One of those obstacles is Limited technological infrastructure in rural areas. According to Horak (2007), for many years in rural areas to provide Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) to extremely remote customers who had electric service but for whom it would be too costly to provide telephone service over dedicated twisted-pair local loops. Price is an important factor in purchasing and postpurchasing internet access (Chang, & Chong, 2011). BPL is a much advanced broadband version of PLC that represents an alternative to more visible technologies being deployed by the wireless technology and cable TV providers. 3
Malaysia’s Internet and E-Services Report (2010), is showed that there is an increasing awareness of technology in Malaysia. With the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Project and the government’s commitment to a technological society, a large number of high tech companies from around the world have started to set up in Malaysia. But efforts at encouraging the wider community to embrace technology have so far not been totally successful. Dial-up Internet access is growing steadily, but there has been very little interest in broadband Internet
Broadband Access Technologies
According to Malaysia Internet Usage Stats and Marketing Report (2010), in 2004 the number of subscribers was 2.9 million, in 2005 it increased to 3.5 million subscribers, and in 2006 the number of subscribers in Malaysia was close to five million. This is an encouraging growing trend, and most of the Internet subscribers were eyeing for high speed broadband infrastructure. According to the Malaysia - Telecommunications Infrastructure Report (2010), the building of Malaysia’s telecommunications infrastructure has seen extensive fiber optic networks installed across the length and breadth of the country. A prime example has been the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project. Based on some of a lot of industry report, analysis and studies such as Australian Information Industry Association (2011), Atkinson et al (2009) and Boston Consulting Group (2010) have shown a direct relationship between the availability and penetration rate of broadband and an improvement in productivity, quality of education, quality of health care, generation of new high-paying jobs, and facilitation of new channels for commerce. These, in turn, can all lead directly to national economic growth with a direct impact on gross domestic product (GDP) and even enhanced national security. As consequence for that, economic growth, knowledge use, and jobs will attract to those societies that are the most connected, with the most networks and the broadest amount of bandwidth because these countries find it easiest to assemble, deploy and share knowledge in order to design, invent, manufacture, sell, provide services, communicate, educate and entertain (Kim, 2000). So connectivity is now productivity especially if that connection reached each household at urban and rural area via BPL, which need no to re-wire or build new infrastructure moreover, available everywhere, every outlet. As the broadband revolution countries, the ever increasing competition in the broadband services market is forcing broadband service suppliers to plan their strategies for delivery of triple play services, with voice, data and video provided by a single connection (CORNING, 2005). Broadband access in urban areas is already provided by passive optical networks (PON) and digital subscriber loop (DSL) technologies with speed exceeding 200 kilobits per second (Kbps), or 200,000 bits per second in at least one direction, either downstream or upstream. At same time the demand for high capacity broadband is being driven by “always-on” services such as video-conferencing, high definition video 4
streaming and interactive gaming. However, the much higher cost of network deployment in rural areas (Riding et al, 2009). According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (2007), shows the importance of broadband access. See figure (2) a lot of benefits back on the social and economic.
Figure (2). Importance of Broadband Access. Source: (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, 2007).
Wireless and WiMax Technology Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) is a technology for wireless broadband and the core techniques for the fourth-generation (4G) wireless mobile communications. WiMAX is a new broadband wireless access technology that provides very high data throughput over long distance in a point-to-multipoint environment. There are two main classes of WiMAX system called fixedWiMAX and mobile WiMAX (Ramle et al, 2010). Fixed WiMAX can be utilized to effectively provide broadband penetration to rural areas. The idea is to use lower frequencies (ex. 450MHz) which have favorable propagation conditions for covering large distances (Sapumohotti et al, 2011). WiMAX 5
(IEEE802.16) provides service to many devices like notebook personal computer; handset, smart phone and some consumers? electronics such as gaming devices, cameras, camcorder, and music player. It is the first of all IP mobile internet solution enabling efficient and scalable networks for data, video and voice. It is one of the wireless metropolitan area networking that operates at scalable bandwidth (Shu’aibu, & Yusof, 2010). Wireless broadband Wireless broadband services transmit data and information at high speeds using wireless links. Such data and information can include a wide range of content and applications that are accessed over the Internet, including web sites, e-mail, instant messaging, music, games, or data stored on a corporate server. Wireless broadband Internet access services can be provided using mobile, fixed, or portable technologies. These technologies can transmit data over short, medium, or long ranges, and can use licensed spectrum and/or unlicensed devices. Some of the wireless broadband Internet access technologies in use today include CDMA 1x EV-DO (EV-DO), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) with High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and Wi-Fi (Federal Communications Commission, 2008). Telecentres Malaysian government exposed the bridge digital divide program via telecenter beginning 2000 as an effort to boost the use and access of ICT among rural communities and marginalized groups in Malaysia (Jusoff, Hassan, & Razak, 2010). Telecentres purposes introduce and encourage the usage of ICT; and to create community communication equipped with a range of ICT services to facilitate Internet access, ecommerce, and e-learning (Ibrahim, & Ainin, 2009). According to Clark and Gomez (2011), Public access to computers and the Internet at libraries, telecentres and cybercafé can play an important role in social and economic development if it effectively helps to meet the needs of underserved populations where it is not sometime free of charge. Clark and Gomez have studied and analyzed role of user fees and other critical barriers in the use of computers in public access venues in 25 developing countries around the world which Malaysia was one of them, Study’s findings indicate that user fees do not stopped use of public access venues such as telecentres, as they are not seen as unaffordable, that means users fees and users have the desire of use ICT and get access to the internet. But at the same time, the implications of these findings are of critical importance to telecentres, and to public libraries. These two types of public access venues have a social mission that is not necessarily shared with cybercafés, but cybercafés tend to be more successful in both meeting local needs of users. Users tend to perceive cybercafés as offering good customer 6
service and support, even though they charge user fees. Users also tend to perceive libraries as outdated and irrelevant to their local needs. Telecentres and public libraries face important sustainability challenges, with decreasing public or donor funds for public access ICT initiatives. As consequence of all that sustainable challenges, the venues and ICT services will remain unused.
Wi-Fi Network and Mobile Broadband Wi-Fi networks can transfer data at speeds of up to 11 Mbps for 802.11b and up to 54 Mbps for 802.11a and 802.11g. They can be designed for private access within a home or business, or can be used for public Internet access at "hot spots" such as restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, airports, convention centers, and city parks. Mobile broadband technologies enable subscribers to access the Internet while traveling at high speeds via a mobile handset, a smartphone, or a wireless modem card connected to a laptop computer or PDA. Mobile broadband technologies used by carriers in the United States, such as EV-DO and WCDMA/HSPDA, are capable of transmitting data at speeds ranging in excess of 400 kbps (Federal Communications Commission, 2008). Broadband over PowerLine (BPL) Technology BPL is a technology that utilizes electrical power lines for high speed transmission of data, video, voice, etc. it works by transmitting high frequently signals through the same power cable used for carrying electricity to households. BPL uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulation (OFDM). OFDM is enabling providers to offer wireless broadband services that are often considered "portable" in nature. Power lines basically are provided in each house over the entire world. see figure (4) below, that main pillar could help quickly connected with broadband and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) with lowest need for a new massive infrastructure and its tremendous financial investment. In developed countries normally have various options of broadband and telephony services even if sometimes high-priced. While developing countries have shortage telecommunications infrastructure. So, it would be useful at those countries to make use of power line communications (Ma, 2005).
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Electricity Pole
Building
House
Figure(4). Power lines basically are provided in each house over the entire world.
In a developing nation like Malaysia, the government has started to work on a national plan in bridging the digital divide by providing the necessary infrastructure for universal access to the internet. It’s trying to bridging that divide by corporate government and private sector through various strategies and technologies such as telecenres, internet access via BPL or Powerline Communication (PLC) for last mile connectivity which is applying now a day at Cyberjaya since 2005 of installment and experience. City Broadband or Cyberjaya is now offering BPL internet access service in partnering with PG Communications as the BPL solution partner. PG Communications Sdn Bhd (Sendirian Berhad means incorporated or subsidiary of Utilities Company) was established in 2005 wholly own subsidiary of Inno-Pacific Holdings limited a public company listed in Singapore stock exchange. PG offer total communications services and solutions via independent telephony gateway and broadband using Power Line Communication (BPL/PLC). City Broadband has over seven years of experience in designing, implementing and operating broadband services for enterprises and residential in Cyberjaya (citybroadband.net, 2011). Such BPL technology it would bridging a large part of digital divide cause of having no need to re-wiring or building new infrastructure. BPL has given fresh spark to an old technology known as PowerLine Carrier. BPL is simple and has been established for quite some time: using the electrical power transmission lines as the transport media for broadband communications (Qiu, 2007). In other words, BPL is technology providing high-speed internet access through plug a computer in any electrical outlet to get instantly internet which implemented through several scenarios with certain devices and apparatus that are explained in literatures review. BPL has been rapidly developed and has entered into the home networking market with its wide availability and existing infrastructure, no new wiring is needed to connect multiple house hold devices (Chen et al, 2010).
8
Problem Statement
Bridging the digital divide is one of such need which requires straightforward and immediate attention, thus all ongoing programmes on closing the digital divide in Malaysia need to be completed by 2010, according to Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Deputy Minister of Malaysia’s Energy, Water and Communications Ministry (Li, 2009). Until June
2003, the number of Internet subscribers in Malaysia was 2.73 million. The statistics show that 93 percent of the Internet subscribers were concentrated in urban areas (Zaitun, & Crump, 2005).
Unfortunately, the digital divide within the population can clearly be identified, with differences based on education, gender, age, geographical location, income and workplace. Most likely to be marginalized whom rural population particularly lower income groups (Mohamed, 2005). Broadband technology is no longer considered as a new technological invention, but the adoption rate in Malaysia is still below expectation level as compared to many countries. Several studies have offered insights on the adoption and diffusion of broadband in both macro (Choudrie & Lee, 2004), (Feijoo, Gomez-Barroso, Ramos, & Rojo-Alonso, 2006) and micro level (Choudrie & Dwivedi, 2006) to understand the broadband deployment in the developed world as well as in the leading countries, such as South Korea and the UK. At the time, some other studies are focused on Telecommunication Infrastructure such as Computer Communication System (Telecentres), WiMax, Mobile networks Telecom Infrastructure, Wi-Fi Network, Wireless Networks, IEEE with its different standards and last but not least the new technology which is Ballon as broadcaster.
Related works
Bridging Digital Divide According to Giri (2002), “ those who support the Internet's power as a medium uniquely suited to building open societies must study what can be done to make Internet access widely available and affordable to the most disadvantaged communities and individuals”. At the same Giri’s study, have developed a model that reflects the issues in digital divide of the developing countries in south Asia see figure below which shows strategic model for bridging digital divide in developing countries, model itself as well shows the necessity of durable tools and an affordable Information and Communication Technologies. In Malaysia’s quest to have an inclusive and computer savvy society, such plans have to be continuously enforced, it is hoped that the expansion of the ICT infrastructure across the country will reduce the digital divide and subsequently, benefit all segments of 9
populace (Hashim et al, 2011). One of the initiatives is the Universal Service Programme (USP) undertaking of RM600 million that is focused on increasing communications infrastructure in rural areas nationwide (Li, 2009). Accessing to the ICT is one of three main issues on the ICT applications, with the adoption and the Value of using ICT among Malaysian community, those three are mentioned in The Malaysian National Strategic Framework of Bridging Dgital Divide (Razak & Malek, 2008).
Broadband Access Technologies Access networks are very important for network providers because of their high costs and the possibility of the realization of a direct access to the end users/subscribers. Lately, about 50% of all investments in the telecommunications infrastructure are needed for the realization of telecommunications access networks. However, an access network connects a limited number of individual subscribers, as opposed to a transport communication network (Figure 6). Therefore, economic efficiency of the access networks is lower than in wide area networks (WAN). Realization of the access networks for individual subscribers is also economically less efficient. On the other hand, a direct access to the subscribers increases the opportunities for network providers to offer a higher number of various services. This attracts the subscribers to become contract-bound customers of a particular network provider, which increases the usage of its transport network. Therefore, the access to the individual subscribers seems to be important as well. (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
Figure (6). General structure of telecommunications networks. Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
After the deregulation of the telecommunications market in a large number of countries, the access networks are still the property of former monopolistic companies (incumbent network providers). New network providers build up their transport networks 10
(WAN), but they still have to use the access infrastructure owned by an incumbent provider. Because of this, new network providers try to find a solution to offer their own access network to the subscribers. On the other hand, a rapid development of new telecommunications services increases the demand for more transmission capacity in the transport networks as well as in the access area. Therefore, there is a permanent need for an extension of the access infrastructure. There are two possibilities for the expansion of the access networks:
Building of new networks Generally, the building of new access networks can be realized with the following techniques: • New cable or optical network • Wireless access systems
?
Wireless mobile systems. Figure (7).
Figure (7). Structure of wireless mobile network Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
?
Fixed wireless systems. Figure (8).
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Figure (8). Structure of ?xed wireless networks – Wireless Local Loop. Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
• Satellite systems. Or: Usage of the existing infrastructure
?
Classical telephone networks which are equipped by Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). Figure (9).
Figure(9). Structure of DSL access networks. Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
? TV cable networks (CATV) 12
Figure (10). Structure of CATV access networks. Source: (Hrasnica et al, 2004).
? Electrical power supply networks BPL Types There are two types of BPL systems first one is In-House BPL, which uses the electrical outlets available within a building to transfer information between computers and other home electronic appliances; second one is Access BPL systems, which carry highspeed communication signals outdoors over the medium voltage (MV) lines, from a point where there is a connection to the Internet (backhaul point), to neighborhoods, where they are distributed to homes via the low voltage (LV) power lines or Wi-Fi links (Federal Communications Commission, 2008). In the situation where an Access network is connected to a household with an In-Home network, the PLC communication signal can propagate between both networks (Le Phu Do & Lehnert, 2010). (Figure 11).
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Figure (11). Access and In-Home PLC domains. Source: (Le Phu Do & Lehnert, 2010).
Broadband is wide term, historically broadband meant providing TV to homes but, in general means a connection with a high speed, from the technical aspect high-speed changes with the passage of time (Gumaste et al, 2005). Many applications such as streaming video and audio, distance learning, real time, medical imaging, and movie downloads, and online gaming require broadband (Kota et al, 2004). Therefore, broadband is capable to provide mix of data, audio, voice, video and so on. BPL allows plugging a computer into any electrical outlet in a home and instantly having access to high-speed Internet. By combining the technological principles of radio, wireless networking, and modems, developers have created a way to send data over power lines and into homes at speeds between 500 kilobits and 3 megabits per second (equivalent to DSL and cable). BPL is already being tested in several cities around the United States and the United Kingdom figure.1 below gives general view bout a BPL system (Valdes, 2011). (Figure 12).
Figure (12): BPL system Architecture. Source: (Valdes, 2011).
According to Sarafi and her group (2009) they were doing trail network which carries title “Hybrid Wireless-Broadband over Power Lines: A Promising Broadband Solution in Rural Areas”. Main point here is how to turning the electricity grid into a smart grid via transforming the power grid into an IP based, from the outcome of the trial project and the relevant measurements it seems that W-BPL technology represent a viable solution for rural broadband communications and may be the beginning of a new era for power supply networks therefore, Hybrid W-BPL networks combine the ubiquitous power distribution grid with WiFi technology to create a reliable, high capacity and cost effective access network. Finally, the trail’s result mentioned that a hybrid wireless-broadband over power lines network is suitable for rural and remote areas and offering smart grid
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applications and broadband access along 107 km Medium Voltage (MV) power grid in Larissa, a rural area in central Greece. Furthermore, the recent tabulation of Budget 2011 evidenced the importance of ICT which is the sixth National Key Economic Area (NKEA) from the twelve strategies (Razak, 2010). But, In Malaysia, United Nation projected that there are 7.7 million (26%) people currently living in rural areas which consider large proportion of the population. For these communities, it is believed that providing communications services are an important step to facilitate development and social equity (Omar et al, 2010). Studies by a team of researchers from Malaysia examined the level of internet adoption in two rural communities, Bario and Long Bedian, in Sarawak, Malaysia. Their findings indicated that access to adequate and affordable ICT infrastructure was important in providing connectivity to these remote communities (Nair et al, 2010). A project in the city of Kolkata India is tested BPL. The result of performance of implemented on eighty houses in two cites were achieved in detail. Results obtained on different functional parameters namely speed; area and coverage under varied conditions. Based on the findings of the pilot project in Kolkata it can be reasonably concluded that the low voltage electrical network of utilities in India are capable of providing the last mile broadband connectivity to the Internet users requiring high bandwidth. Moreover, the technology can also be deployed in urban and rural sectors where get internet access is limited (Ray & Hazra, 2011). According to Yang and Arteaga (2009), they have done a trail of a twelve month Broadband over Powerline in building in a Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU). They used the building’s low voltage electric network wiring for BPL system transport medium to support an IP Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and VoIP intercom application. The trail aim was installed BPL to provide high-speed Bi-Directional data communication of video and voice security applications for sixteen residential building with over one hundred apartments. Figure.3 shows BPL architecture on low voltage MDU distribution circuit. The key point here is the task of Extender, which was to convert Ethernet data packages to BPL signals for injection onto building electrical risers, after that Customer Premise Equipment modem convert BPL back to Ethernet data package. As consequence for that trial, clearly demonstrated that the newer 200-Mbps generation of BPL equipment used in this trial performed reliably under noisy conditions and was able to operate successfully over aged electrical infrastructure during the 12 month trial. The most important fact is the ability of the system to deliver required bandwidth for bandwidth intensive applications and provide scalability when needed. (Figure 13).
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Figure (13). shows BPL architecture on low voltage MDU distribution circuit. Source: (Yang & Arteaga, 2009).
The E-Bario Project The E-Bario project gives great lesson of challenging for bridging digital divide in Malaysia. The project is being managed by the University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), financially supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic System (MIMOS). Bario and Long Bedian are remote areas located in Sarawak. Telecommunication infrastructure in those areas were very simple before inter of the ICT project by UNIMAS. The people there were depend on unreliable radio calls to communicate with outside world; power grid and treated water is not available and generator of power by solar, a lot of other obstacles are found over there, but the need of data and voice communication could be provided there. For voice communication, telephone closets were established and Local Area Network was installed at the telecentre and school (Hushairi et al, 2004). The e-Bario and the e-Bedian project have
shown that connecting the most remote areas in Sarawak is very challenging but not impossible see figure.2 below. In the absence of both regular power supply and telecommunication infrastructure, the e-Bario and e-Bedian was successfully implemented providing ICTs to the community. VSAT was used successfully to connect Bario and Long Bedian with the outside world. Alternative transmission medium such as microwave and cables are not suitable for places like Bario and Long Bedian because of high cost of implementation and maintenance.
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Figure(14). Satallite Connection in Bario. Source: (Hushairi et al, 2004).
Motorola Powerline MU Solution provides a broadband over low-voltage power line access solution that delivers reliable performance supported verified security features to multiple-dwelling units while mitigating interference by using low voltage wires. Motorola Powerline MU is designed for and works with the Canopy™ wireless broadband Internet platform (Figure 15). The standard Canopy system provides the broadband backbone for the system, creating a wireless transport system to the hotel, apartment building, or other multiple dwelling units (Motorola, 2007).
17
Figure (15). Powerline MU Network Overview. Source: (Motorola, 2007).
According to Lurdunathan and Ramayah (2009), they have done survey covered 4, 925 Internet users of private households (both dial-up and xDSL users). The survey also covered the reasons for not engaging in Internet usage based on 2005 nonuser households. About 14% of respondents said that high price is a factor that prevents them from subscribing to broadband. The survey results also show a large portion of respondents mentioned that their broadband subscriber are from the no-income category and the monthly subscription fees are being paid by their parents. This is an evident that broadband users are mostly students. Power Line Operation Power line operations and the manner by which data can be transmitted concurrent with electricity. Standard alternating current (AC) is transmitted at a frequency of 60 Hz in North America and at 50 Hz in Europe and many other locations throughout the world. This means that, similar to a telephone company localloop, electrical lines have almost all of their frequency available for utilization for other purposes, to include data transmission. See figure # below, which illustrates the frequency use of a power line. Assuming the power line is used in North America; frequencies beyond 60 Hz are unused. Thus, the evolution of data transmission over the unused frequencies of power lines is based on the same concepts that enable DSL to provide millions of subscribers with high-speed Internet access (Held, 2006). 18
Figure # Frequency use of a power line. Source: (Held, 2006).
Power Generator
HVF
Power Transmitter
MVF
Neighborhood Transformer
LVF
LVF
LV F
Residential 1
Residential 3
Residential 2
General Electrical Utility Model
References
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