Broadband for Remote and Rural Communities
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Broadband for Remote and Rural Communities A project in innovative network technologies and their commercialisation potential by Duncan Ewan Cameron A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Innovation and Commercialisation Wellington School of Business and Government Victoria University of Wellington 2021 Abstract Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) networks are an essential part of providing Internet connectivity in remote and rural areas. Typically operating where large commercial Internet service providers deem it financially unviable to do so, WISPs frequently deal with sparse population densities and financial constraints that inhibit reliable network performance. Venture Networks, a research partner, and a WISP that serves the rural Horowhenua Region, has observed that many WISPs fail to become sustainable businesses, and pondered what could be done to improve outcomes for those providing Internet access where limited other options exist. This research proposes to investigate what commercial opportunities may exist for assisting WISP operators to run their networks in an easier, sustainable manner. To encourage the ubiquitous deployment of high-performance WISP networks, it was recognised that first the unique challenges faced by WISP operators on a wide scale must be understood. A Grounded Theory research methodology was adopted, and a study was conducted to develop an objective understanding of issues commonly encountered by WISP network operators. Interviews were conducted with WISP network operators, digital advocacy organisations, and network engineering consultants. Interview participants came primarily from New Zealand and North America. Of the New Zealand participants, nearly every WISP known to operate within the country was interviewed. Results of the Grounded Theory study helped to isolate a potential Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and formed the basis for product development and commercialisation. It was shown that start-up and established WISPs frequently lack the technical knowledge to design and implement high-performance networks. Unsurprisingly, a WISP operator that does not thoroughly understand their network will struggle to operate it without difficulty. Consequently, it was proposed that developing a platform around the shortcomings in the knowledge that WISP operators have would be appropriate. Given the proposed platform 1 would take form as a physical network appliance, it was decided that initially leveraging a disruptive, solution provider business model would be appropriate. The business model chosen enables Venture Networks to work directly with other WISPs, ideally forming long- term relationships through a customer-centric approach. Venture Networks has several engineering resources devoted to continued development of the proposed MVP, and envisions developing an ecosystem of products to assist WISPs in operating higher-performance, higher-reliability networks. Ongoing testing of the platform is being carried out with Venture Networks, and a small number of other WISPs selected during the interview phase of this research. Feedback from the trials is continuously integrated into revised versions on the platform. Development of the platform has been carried out using the Agile product development methodology, which enables feedback- responsive development and quick-to-release iterations of the platform. Upon final release, it is envisioned that the platform designed will not only enable WISPs to design and implement networks in a straightforward manner, but also offer significant cost- savings over alternative solutions available for sale today. For a prospective WISP operator without strong technical competencies, improving Internet connectivity in a remote or rural area would be a daunting challenge. The proposed MVP seeks to make such a task achievable. 2 Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr Alvin Valera. Without your guidance, I would not be where I am today. I thank you for your support and for enabling life-changing opportunities. Additionally, I would like to thank other members of the Victoria University of Wellington Engineering and Computer Science faculty. Thank you to Professor Winston Seah for giving me the chance to extend my passion for rural broadband connectivity through further research. Thank you also to (soon to be Dr) Matt Stevens. Matt, without your passion for SDN and its applications I would be at a great loss. I could not have completed this thesis without academic support staff such as Jacquie Harper, and the original programme administrator, Dr Jenny Douché. Thank you both for facilitating such an enjoyable programme to be a part of. Thank you to my fellow Master of Innovation and Commercialisation students – you made the taught component of this programme a time worth remembering. To Grahame Bennie – thank you for believing in what I am doing and, in the infrastructure that we have already built. It is satisfying to see our work already paying off. Without your financial support, we would not have been able to build what we have. I cannot wait to see what the future holds. And of course, to my friends and family; thank you all for being there for me. Your support means the world. Finally, I would like to thank my loving partner, Priyanka. Carrying out this research project was not lonely with you by my side. Duncan Cameron January 2019. 3 A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in Greek proverb 4 Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 1 – Introduction .................................................................................................................. 15 1.1 – Project report structure ........................................................................................................ 15 1.2 – Project background .............................................................................................................. 16 1.3 – Project partner (Venture Networks Limited) ................................................................... 18 1.4 – Opportunities ........................................................................................................................ 19 1.5 – Proposed project development and relevant literature .................................................... 20 1.5.1 – Proposed business model development ..................................................................... 21 1.5.2 – Product and business development ............................................................................ 23 1.6 – Further research .................................................................................................................... 25 1.7 – Related innovations .............................................................................................................. 25 1.8 – Proposed project development phases ............................................................................... 26 1.8.1 – Project Scope .................................................................................................................. 28 1.9 – Summary ................................................................................................................................ 28 Chapter 2 – Methodology ................................................................................................................. 29 2.1 – Assumptions .......................................................................................................................... 30 2.2 – Research participants ........................................................................................................... 31 2.2.1 – WISP network operators .............................................................................................. 31 2.2.2 – Telecommunication consultants ................................................................................. 32 2.2.3 – Equipment vendors ....................................................................................................... 32 2.2.4 – Regulators and associations ......................................................................................... 32 2.2.5 – Social media users ......................................................................................................... 33 5 2.2.6 – Further developments ................................................................................................... 33 2.3 – Collection and analysis methodology ................................................................................ 33 2.3.1 – Grounded Theory.......................................................................................................... 34 2.4 – Design rationale .................................................................................................................... 38 2.5 – Reflection and further research........................................................................................... 39 2.5.1 – Methodology changes ................................................................................................... 40 2.6 – Product and business model development methodology ................................................ 41 2.7 – Limitations............................................................................................................................. 42 Chapter