Impact of Telecommunication on Rural Areas in Developing Countries

摘要

The economic and social impact of telecommunication in developing countries was studied. The economic impact not only depends on the direct returns of the investment, like tariffs, through the improved communication facilities, other sectors can indirectly profit from the investments too. Especially, in areas with a very low telephone density, the indirect returns of a telecommunication investment are enormous. Technical possibilities for building up transmission links in a rural network include coaxial cables, glass fibers, radio transmission, and satellite communication. In thinly populated rural areas, satellite communication with a single channel per carrier (SCPC) system is a good solution. With a SCPC system few ground stations can be used. These stations are easy to maintain, and use little power. As soon as a satellite channel and two ground stations are operational, transmission is possible, so a SCPC system can be implemented quickly.