Nokia Siemens brings voice, data access to rural villages
As part of an ongoing industry drive to connect five billion people by 2015, Nokia Siemens Networks, for its part, has enabled voice and data access even in extreme locations that are typically hard to connect such as far-off villages in
Through its innovative solution called Village Connection, Nokia Siemens Networks is able to bring GSM service to four states in
By using software-based solution made up of GSM and IP-based access points, Nokia Siemens Networks is able to provide village-wide mobile voice and data coverage to rural areas, where it is often economically unviable for telecom service operators to provide access.
A GSM Access Point forms a complete mini network where local calls are connected directly within the village. These access points can also be linked to regional Access Centers that carry the traffic to and from other mobile or fixed networks. A local entrepreneur hosts the GSM Access Point and interacts with village subscribers on the operator’s behalf.
For its unique concept, Village Connection won for Nokia Siemens Networks the Excellence in Innovation award at last month’s second annual National Telecom Awards ceremony given by the Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association in
In a press statement, Michael Kuehner, head of sub-region India of Nokia Siemens Networks, said, “We are extremely proud to have won this prestigious award from TEMA, and remain committed to providing innovative connectivity solutions that help bridge the digital divide across the globe.”
“Village Connection breaks down the barriers to providing connectivity to rural areas — it extends vital benefits such as access to healthcare and important information to village subscribers. It also creates opportunities for entrepreneurship for the people in the villages,” he added.
Wi-Fi trains
Commutes via any of Thalys’ high-speed trains that go from
The provision of continuous broadband connectivity throughout the entire Thalys network, whether in
Already 25 percent of Thalys trains have been equipped with Wi-Fi systems and by autumn 2008 the whole fleet will be so. Thalys’s implementation of Wi-Fi technology is in response to both the high expectations of business customers, for whom train time can now serve as an extension of office time, and the provision of an enhanced travel experience for leisure passengers.
Thalys selected in September 2007 the consortium of Nokia Siemens Networks, Telenet and 21Net after a deep technical and commercial evaluation. The consortium has provided a complete hosted and end-to-end solution to enable broadband services on international high-speed trains.
Under the terms of a managed services’ contract, the consortium not only designed an innovative cross-border wireless network, including on-board Wi-Fi equipment, and supplied and installed all necessary technology, but it also operates and maintains the complete network for Thalys.
The consortium has combined satellite and UMTS with Wi-Fi technologies to provide continuous Internet connectivity on board the Thalys trains traveling across borders at the speed of 300 km/h.
The choice for three complementary backhaul technologies was made to guarantee an optimal coverage in all countries, depending on the wireless technologies available along the trip. This seamless handover between the available technologies ensures the user on board the Thalys train the best possible Internet connectivity.
Nokia Siemens Networks is responsible for the entire project management process. The company provides the network’s WLAN technology, installs, manages and maintains the network’s resources.
The company is also responsible for the management of special leased bandwidth for mobile operators along the train routes.
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