OVERVIEW

• Mobile Device Usage: Integral for communication, financial transactions, and internet connectivity.
• Cellular Network Components:
  • Access Network (AN): Base stations providing wireless connectivity within coverage areas.
  • Core Network (CN): Central equipment providing connectivity to other networks (e.g., Internet).

ACCESS AND CORE NETWORKS

• Access Network (AN)
  • Comprises base stations (towers with antennae).
  • Provides wireless connectivity in a limited geographical area.
• Core Network (CN)
  • Provides connectivity to other networks like the Internet.
  • Linked to base stations by optical fibre backhaul.
  • Essential for supporting user mobility.

IMPEDIMENTS TO RURAL CONNECTIVITY

• Urban vs. Rural Tele-density:
  • Urban: 127%
  • Rural: 58%
  • Urban users average more than one mobile connection; rural users average 0.58 connections.
• Challenges in Rural Areas:
  • Lower income levels.
  • Lower population density and distributed populations.
  • Remoteness and high cost of deploying infrastructure like fibre optics.

IEEE 2061-2024 STANDARD

• Development: By IIT Bombay’s research group led by Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
• Approval: By Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) on June 6.
• Network Architecture:
  • Heterogeneous AN: Macro-BS (large coverage area) and Wi-Fi (small coverage area).
  • Macro-BS: Any cellular technology supporting large coverage areas.
  • Wi-Fi: Provides high-speed connectivity within villages.
  • Seamless Connectivity: Devices move from Wi-Fi to Macro-BS without service disruption.

MIDDLE-MILE NETWORK

• Multi-hop Wireless Network:
  • Extends connectivity where optical-fibre links are unavailable.
  • Uses cost-effective technologies like satellites and long-range Wi-Fi.
• Direct Path to Internet:
  • Provides an alternate path from AN to the Internet, bypassing the CN.
  • Optimizes connectivity for stationary users and local communications.

FUTURE IMPLICATIONS

• Scalability:
  • The IEEE 2061 standard can help provide scalable and affordable rural connectivity.
  • CN Bypass & Integrated AN Control: Novel concepts for future mobile networks.