Transformation from Electric Grid to Utility - Telecom
Grid for Affordable Internet Access and Economic
Growth in Developing Countries
Eng. Eric Wekesa Wanjala
Introduction….
❖ The World Economy Gross Domestic Product, - USD million
85,802,373, World Bank - 2018.
❖ Sub-Saharan, Low & Lower Middle income countries GDP
contribution to World Economy approx. USD million 8,978,341.
❖ Future World Economic growth to be based on Knowledge
economy – “Value of Connectivity Report by Deloitte, 2014”.
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“85% of Africans live on less
than $5.50 per day.” - Source: World bank Blog, 2019
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What hinders growth of Internet
Penetration?
Lack of Accessibility and
Affordability the biggest
hindrance to increased
Internet penetration.
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Figure 1: Internet and Economic map
Does broadband penetration
impact economic growth?
Cross sectional study - World Bank (Qiang et al. 2009),
a 10 % point growth in fixed
broadband penetration results
in
(1) 1.21% growth in gross domestic product-GDP in
developed economies
(2) 1.38% GDP growth in
developing economies.
This translates to USD 123,901.11
for developing economies with est. combined GDP of
USD (Million) 8,978,341.00(Source: World Bank GDP Data – 2018.)
4Figure 2: Cross-sectional study on impact of broadband penetration
Increase in innovations , growth of Industry and
new small medium enterprises (SMEs),
Example of innovation MPESA Mobile Money-
Kenya etc.
Growth in employment , productivity in
agriculture , health , livestock, SMEs etc.
Support good quality education for all with access to information
and knowledge sharing to far flung
rural areas .
Economic growth World Bank Study 10% Increase In
Internet Penetration leads to 1.3% GDP Growth, Sustainable Cities & Communities
Accelerate social development for17 UN
SDGs on gender equality, maternal & child health,
environmental , peace and realization of decent work
Improved health, Food & Nutrition
through access to information and remote support
(knowledge sharing i.e. telemedicine).
Enhances support for climate management as well as support for both terrestrial and aquatic life through knowledge sharing
and communication.
Successful partnerships , peace,
justice & strong institutions through
access to information, communication and knowledge sharing.
Better control of production and
consumption through access to knowledge
and best practices and social inclusion through
people use of technology.
Reduction of poverty and hunger through a
knowledge - based economy model with
priority access to information.
Affordable Internet infrastructure -A big success for the UN 17SDGs,
AU 2063 Initiatives and Government of Kenya Vision 2030 projects
5
Benefits
Internet Access
Technologies & Broadband Speed
Tier Trends
Speed
NB: ADSL-Asymmetrical digital subscriber line, VDSL – Very high bit rate digital subscriber line, FTTC/B – Fiber to the cabinet /building, FTTH/x – Fiber to the home, WiMAX –
Wireless Interoperability Multiple Access. tech. , LTE – Long-term evolution networks, 3G/3.5G/4G/5G –mobile generations respectively .
2019
3G,
ADSL,
3.5G, 4G,
VDSL
4G+ ( LTE
adv.) ,
FTTC/FTTB
5G+,
WiMAX
FTTH/x
Technologies
(Fixed, Fixed
wireless & Mobile)
Figure 3. Trends , Speeds and Technologies for the Internet , Source: Author -
Fiber Optic
>1Gbps,
1Tbps
& 10Tbps.
Techs -
GPON,
XGS-PON
GE-PON, 10
GEPON…
1999 - 2009 2009 - 2016 2016 - 2017 2018 - 2019
6
Year
Broadband Technologies for the Future When to close the growing broadband gap for developing economies?
2010
XG-PON1
TDM- 10 Gbps Downstream /2.5Gbps upstream
Reach 100Km
Ratio 1:128 2015
NG PON 2
TWDM GPON 40Gbps downstream / 10Gbps upstream
Reach 60Km
Ratio 1:256
2020
TDM GPON
40-100Gbps downstream /
10 Gbps upstream
WDM GPON 10 Gbps downstream / 1-10 Gbps upstream
Reach 100 Km
Ratio 1:128
2025
Converged WDM/TDM PON
100Gbps downstream / 10 Gbps upstream
More than 10 Gbps downstream per user and 1Gbps upstream
Reach >100 Km
Ratio 1:1024
Period
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Figure 4: Broadband technologies of the future. Source : Author 2019
Evolving PON Standards and Speed
8Figure 5: Broadband technologies PON Standards for new speeds.
Source : ITU-T Q2 / SG15
Giga bit Passive Optical Network Architectures
Source: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/studygroups/2017-2020/15/Documents/OFC2018-2-
Q2_v5.pdfFigure 6: PON Network Source : ITU Q2 SG/15
Figure 7: Typical GPON. Source : FTTH Europe
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Fiber Application in Wireless PON
Case for 5G
Figure 9: Fiber in Mobile 5G. Source: ITU Q2 SG/15
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Growing demand for bandwidthWhat happens for IoT/Smart City/Smart grids?
• Tackle affordability and accessibility for
deep broadband penetration.
• Affordability – Reduce (1) cost of
infrastructure ownership, (2) taxation,
(3) Usage, (4) lower cost of Internet
connection.
• Accessibility – (1) re-use extensive
utility networks , (2) faster deployment,
(3) low infrastructure cost, (4) Future
proof , (5) Green compliance
11Table 1: Typical Bandwidth Requirements for Various Applications
Application Minimum Speed in Mbps
0.5 1.5 3 5 10 20 >20
1. Web Surfing X X X X X X
2. Email X X X X X X
3. Online Shopping X X X X X X
4. Internet Phone X X X X X
5. Music Streaming X X X X X
6. Short Video Clips X X X X X
7. Skype X X X X
8. SD Video Streaming X X X X
9. Online Education X X X
10. Online Video Gaming X X X
11. High Definition Video Streaming X X X
12. Smart Home X X
13. Video Surveillance X X
14. Telemedicine X
15. Video Conferencing X
16. Super computing X
Model attributes
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A third (1/3) the cost of underground deployment
Benefits of the Utility Telecom Model
Health
Energy
Home /
premise
Industrial
IT &
Networks
Security
Retail
Buildings
Education
Transport
IoT Areas
A third (1/3) the cost of
underground deployment
Low mean time to repair
Approx. scope of inst. - 4Km /day
Cost of fiber
integration is equal to
or less than 10% the cost of power line
Less mechanization and civil works hence green
compliant
Figure 10: Model and IOT
Areas for Interest.
Source : Author , 2019.
Source : Author , 2019.
Case for Diversification at Kenya Power - KPLC
Source : Author , 2019.
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Growing Customers…
Adopted the Utility-Telecom Model and diversified
to telecom business - 2010.
Utility – Telecom Infrastructure used for SCADA,
Corporate Data and Billing infrastructure and
Telecom Business for alternative revenues.
Model supports affordability and accessibility to ISP
services , mobile money services, International and
regional gateway connectivity, Data Centre
connectivity , Internet to Institutions, ….. etc
Way forward
1. Adoption and development of the utility-telecom model to offer access simultaneously to
both affordable and reliable energy (electricity) and broadband (Internet) for developing
countries or regions. All stakeholders and Governments among them the UN, UNESCO
and development Agencies and partners to promote an Integrated approach for
Infrastructure development. This will ensure access to broadband infrastructure
(information) for every utility infrastructure build electricity, road, rail, sewerage and
water.
2. Fiber optics in Utility model offers the high bandwidth capacity connectivity that
guarantees low cost of ownership, short implementation timelines, environmental
compliance, security and “future proof”, hence commended as appropriate model for
faster realization of the UN’s 17 SDGs, 7-Initiatives of the Africa Union-2063 and
National broadband strategies for developing countries.
3. Fiber optics in utility model is recommended for optimization of utility assets and suitable
infrastructure model for Internet of Things (IoT) , Smart grids and utility diversification.
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