Working Party on Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Working Party on Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development DSTI/CDEP/CISP(2017)1/FINAL Unclassified English - Or. English 30 May 2018 DIRECTORATE FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE ON DIGITAL ECONOMY POLICY Cancels & replaces the same document of 10 April 2018 Working Party on Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy BRIDGING THE DIGITAL RURAL DIVIDE JT03432683 This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. 2 │ DSTI/CDEP/CISP(2017)1/FINAL 1. Foreword This report was prepared by the Working Party on Communication Infrastructure and Services Policy (WPCISP). This document examines recent policy and technology approaches to bridging the digital divide in rural and remote areas in OECD countries. It includes a summary of common challenges and good practices. This paper was approved and declassified by written procedure by the Committee on Digital Economy Policy in November 2017 and prepared for publication by the OECD Secretariat. This document was drafted by Lorrayne Porciuncula and Sam Paltridge from the OECD Secretariat. Note to Delegations: This document is also available on OECD Digital Economy Papers, No. 265, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/852bd3b9-en This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law. © OECD 2018 You can copy, download or print OECD content for your own use, and you can include excerpts from OECD publications, databases and multimedia products in your own documents, presentations, blogs, websites and teaching materials, provided that suitable acknowledgment of OECD as source and copyright owner is given. All requests for commercial use and translation rights should be submitted to [email protected]. BRIDGING THE DIGITAL RURAL DIVIDE Unclassified DSTI/CDEP/CISP(2017)1/FINAL │ 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Foreword ............................................................................................................................................ 2 2. Main Points ........................................................................................................................................ 5 3. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 10 4. The Digital Divide ............................................................................................................................ 12 4.1. The rural broadband divide ......................................................................................................... 12 4.2. Assessing the gaps ...................................................................................................................... 14 4.3. Defining broadband speeds ......................................................................................................... 16 4.4. Establishing national targets ....................................................................................................... 17 4.5. Evolving targets for going digital ............................................................................................... 21 5. Policies for bridging the gaps in access to and use of broadband Networks and services in rural and remote areas.................................................................................................................................. 23 5.1. Improving access to broadband .................................................................................................. 23 5.1.1. Ensuring competition in broadband provision ..................................................................... 23 5.1.2. The changing nature of universal service ............................................................................. 23 5.1.3. Setting minimum speeds ...................................................................................................... 25 5.1.4. Competitive tenders .............................................................................................................. 28 5.1.5. Coverage obligations ............................................................................................................ 32 5.1.6. Open access policies ............................................................................................................. 33 5.1.7. Municipal networks .............................................................................................................. 34 5.1.8. Reducing deployment costs .................................................................................................. 37 5.1.9. Funding broadband programmes .......................................................................................... 42 5.1.10. National and rural broadband programs ............................................................................. 47 5.2. Promoting uptake ........................................................................................................................ 54 5.2.1. Affordability ......................................................................................................................... 54 5.2.2. Trust ..................................................................................................................................... 55 5.2.3. Digital literacy ...................................................................................................................... 55 6. Emerging technologies to fill gaps in broadband service ............................................................. 57 6.1. Technological trends ................................................................................................................... 57 6.1.1. Fixed broadband provision ................................................................................................... 57 6.1.2. Wireless broadband provision .............................................................................................. 59 6.1.3. Implications for rural and remote areas ................................................................................ 60 6.2. Technologies on the horizon ....................................................................................................... 64 6.2.1. AT&T’s Project AirGig ....................................................................................................... 64 6.2.2. Google Project Loon ............................................................................................................ 65 6.2.3. Facebook Telecom Infra Project .......................................................................................... 65 6.2.4. Microsoft’s Rural Airband Initiative .................................................................................... 65 6.3. Technologies bridging connectivity gaps in OECD countries .................................................... 66 6.3.1. Australia ............................................................................................................................... 66 6.3.2. Canada .................................................................................................................................. 68 6.3.3. Denmark ............................................................................................................................... 69 6.3.4. Ireland................................................................................................................................... 70 6.3.5. United Kingdom ................................................................................................................... 71 6.3.6. United States ........................................................................................................................ 72 BRIDGING THE DIGITAL RURAL DIVIDE Unclassified 4 │ DSTI/CDEP/CISP(2017)1/FINAL 7. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 74 Notes ..................................................................................................................................................... 75 Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................... 77 Tables Table 1. Ranges of download speeds and services enabled ......................................................... 14 Table 2. National broadband access targets ................................................................................. 18 Table 3. Universal service frameworks and broadband ............................................................... 25 Table 4. Minimum broadband speeds in OECD Countries ......................................................... 27 Table 5. Extending and funding national broadband deployment ............................................... 44 Table 6. National and Rural
Recommended publications
  • Understanding Fixed Wireless Access What Is Fixed Wireless Access?
    Network 20 Architecture 20 Understanding Fixed Wireless Access What Is Fixed Wireless Access? Alex Marcham NetworkArchitecture2020.com 1. Introduction The spread of network technology across the globe has brought huge changes to every society it touches. With smartphones and broadband internet connectivity, networks have enabled billions to keep in touch with friends and relatives, get access to vital resources and limitless entertainment, whilst expanding their economic opportunities. The network relies on the ability to add connections and bandwidth over time to support changing requirements. Otherwise, it’s easy to end up with a network built 5 years ago, for traditional traffic flows and demand, struggling to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape of applications seen today - a costly mistake for any network operator. Inside a building, it’s not too hard; run more cable through the conduits, connect the new device to the network. However, things get more complicated when networks go outside, whether an inter-building connection by an enterprise, or a service provider expanding their coverage, particularly to rural areas. No matter the size of the outdoor network, adding new connections and more bandwidth in a fast and flexible manner, whilst being economical, is not always easy. In many parts of the world, running your own cable above ground is prohibited or simply impractical. For Network Architecture 2020, and network operators, this is a pressing problem; we need to be able to effectively expand our networks wherever needed, whether small enterprise or giant service provider, in an economical manner. In some cases, copper or fibre cabling-based technologies are the right choice.
    [Show full text]
  • Site Acquisition Fact Sheet
    Fact Sheet: How will we design the fixed wireless network? Fixed wireless background Fixed wireless systems have a long history of being used for voice and data communications, generally supporting networks operated by phone companies, cable TV companies, utilities and railways. The name ‘fixed wireless’ explains the way signals are delivered to stationary, or ‘fixed’ antennas and facilities mounted on buildings, homes and other structures. Fixed wireless is different to current mobile wireless networks, which deliver varying speeds and reception depending on how many people are moving in and out of the area and whether they are using the network for low volume e-mail or high volume downloads or video services. The National Broadband Network’s (NBN) fixed wireless network uses advanced technology called LTE (commonly referred to as 4G). The network has been designed to reduce the impact of mobile wireless variables by setting a limit on the number of premises serviced by each fixed wireless facility. People’s usage of the network will still vary, but the set number of serviced premises in each area means that the bandwidth available to each household is designed to be consistent, even in peak times of use*. To be able to achieve this each NBN fixed wireless facility needs to be situated reasonably close to the homes and business which will receive NBN’s fixed wireless network. Each customer will have a small antenna installed on the outside of their home or business, in direct line of sight to the fixed wireless facility. This setup allows for greater consistency in the speed and quality of service that can be delivered to each premises*.
    [Show full text]
  • Fixed Wireless Broadband Communications “What These Water Utilities Discovered Is That There Is a Vast Difference
    WATER UTILITIES CHOOSE Fixed Wireless Broadband Communications “What these water utilities discovered is that there is a vast difference between low-end commercial-grade equipment and purpose-built technology platforms specifically designed for low total cost of ownership.” Kent Brown, Director of Sales – National and Strategic Accounts, Cambium Networks This Application Paper refers to actual field results from two utilities in the southwestern United States: • A water utility serving a major city trusted with water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, and reuse of water resources serving 1.6 million people • A river authority conservation and reclamation district that manages water resources for a ten county district Both of these organizations have deployed wireless broadband connectivity solutions from Cambium Networks. Due to the nature of critical infrastructure security, please contact Cambium Networks for approved customer reference information. Challenges Communications technology has a measurable and dramatic effect on the efficiency and cost structure of all phases of water management: • Water supply and distribution • Hydro-electric generation • Water treatment • Storm water management Strategic Goals: Every water utility must maximize efficiency while being vigilant about compliance to water quality and safety standards. The communications infrastructure strategy must support these goals, and utilities must select the most appropriate communications technology to meet their needs. In most cases, fiber may be cost effective at the core or backbone of the network, but fiber or any wired technology can be economically unfeasible to connect a large number of field locations. Fixed wireless is a proven and legitimate solution that provides the reliability and throughput needed at a significant cost advantage.
    [Show full text]
  • NBN Co Fixed Wireless Fact Sheet
    National Broadband Network Fixed Wireless Fact Sheet What is the National Broadband Network? The National Broadband Network (NBN) is designed to provide high speed broadband access to 100 per cent of Australian premises. The NBN is a nation-building program with the potential to lift Australia’s productivity and will provide a broadband network to serve Australia for decades to come. To reach everyone in our vast country, the NBN will be delivered via an optimal mix of fibre optic cabling, fixed wireless and satellite technologies. These fixed wireless and satellite technologies represent a significant improvement over services currently available to many Australians living in regional and remote communities. How does fixed wireless work? Australians who receive NBN’s fixed wireless will be among the first to experience the benefits of high speed broadband over the NBN. The fixed wireless network is expected to be completed by 2015, five years ahead of the expected completion of the fibre network, and it will serve around four per cent of the population or approximately 500,000 premises including farms, homes and businesses. People in fixed wireless areas are expected to be able to sign up with internet service providers to use the NBN from the middle of 2012. NBN’s fixed wireless network, which uses advanced technology commonly referred to as LTE or 4G, is engineered to deliver services to a fixed number of premises within each coverage area. This means that the bandwidth per household is designed to be more consistent than mobile wireless, even in peak times of use. Unlike a mobile wireless service where speeds can be affected by the number of people moving into and out of the area, the speed available in a fixed wireless network is designed Fixed Wireless Mobile Wireless to remain relatively steady.
    [Show full text]
  • Fixed Wireless Access Solutions
    Mass market broadband with fixed wireless access solutions An easy path to broadband speed and reliability that meets tomorrow’s user needs End-user bandwidth hunger continues to grow… how to keep up? Home user bandwidth demands are increasing. This is the result of the growing uptake of, for example, video streaming, cloud Wireless broadband is the fastest growing service of all applications, gaming and security cameras. In homes everywhere, access technologies, with subscribers growing globally several people may be doing different things on a single network at 20.7% at 20.7 percent per year. any time, especially with the ongoing proliferation of home working. Source: Point Topic, World Fixed Broadband Statistics, Q3 2019 The need for bandwidth will grow even further, driven by the internet of things, 4K/8K UltraHD TV, virtual and augmented reality, The 5G fixed wireless access market is estimated to grow… 46.8 to $46.4 billion, at 97.4 percent CAGR and smart buildings and grids. Consumers expect seamless and Billion Source: Markets & Markets, 2019 immediate interaction with applications, games and video streams as well as the immediacy of fast, uninterrupted downloads. 5G wireless broadband can substitute existing fiber-based In short, consumers need high-speed, low-latency, “always on” broadband products 5G Source: Ovum: 5G Wireless Home Broadband: A credible Alternative to Fixed connectivity that will effortlessly keep up with future developments. Broadband, 2018 What’s more, they want it to be easy to install, easy to use, and affordable. Fiber offers the required multi-gigabit bandwidth potential but requires major investment to run fiber to every home and premise.
    [Show full text]
  • The Growing Appeal of Fixed Wireless Access As an Alternate Fiber-Class
    Ovum TMT intelligence | The growing appeal of fixed wireless access as an alternate fiber-class access method Understanding the advantages of mmWave FWA for enterprise-class services CONTENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR Summary................................................................ 3 In brief ...............................................................3 Ovum view .........................................................3 Key messages ...................................................3 Fixed wireless access defined ............................... 3 Not all fixed wireless is the same ....................3 Daryl Schoolar, Practice Leader FWA enables enterprise- and carrier-class Ethernet services ..............................................4 Characteristics of enterprise-grade Daryl covers the wireless infrastructure space at FWA Ethernet service .................................. 5 Ovum, with a primary focus on market activities as they apply to the radio access network (RAN). The FWA market .................................................... 5 RAN coverage includes macro-, micro-, and Drivers for FWA adoption ..................................5 picocell solutions for CDMA EVDO, HSPA/HSPA+, LTE (TDD and FDD), and LTE-Advanced. Daryl’s Skywire Networks client interview ........................ 6 research includes not only what infrastructure vendors are developing, but how mobile operators are deploying and using these wireless networking solutions. Daryl also leads Ovum’s Next-Generation Infrastructure team. That team covers all access
    [Show full text]
  • Fixed and Mobile Networks: Substitution, Complementarity and Convergence”, OECD Digital Economy Papers, No
    Please cite this paper as: OECD (2012-10-08), “Fixed and Mobile Networks: Substitution, Complementarity and Convergence”, OECD Digital Economy Papers, No. 206, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/5k91d4jwzg7b-en OECD Digital Economy Papers No. 206 Fixed and Mobile Networks SUBSTITUTION, COMPLEMENTARITY AND CONVERGENCE OECD Unclassified DSTI/ICCP/CISP(2011)11/FINAL Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Économiques Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 08-Oct-2012 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ English - Or. English DIRECTORATE FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE FOR INFORMATION, COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICY Unclassified DSTI/ICCP/CISP(2011)11/FINAL Working Party on Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy FIXED AND MOBILE NETWORKS: SUBSTITUTION, COMPLEMENTARITY AND CONVERGENCE English - Or. English JT03328116 Complete document available on OLIS in its original format This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. DSTI/ICCP/CISP(2011)11/FINAL FOREWORD This report was presented to the Working Party on Communication, Infrastructures and Services Policy (CISP) in December 2011. It was recommended to be made public by the Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP) in March 2012. The report was prepared by Mr. Rudolf
    [Show full text]
  • Submission for the JSCNCET Inquiry Into Availability and Access to Enabling Communications Infrastructure in Australia's External Territories
    CiFi Pty Ltd - “Christmas Island Fibre Internet” ACN 637 574 317 ABN 61 637 574 317 Email: [email protected] www.cifi.com.au Submission for the JSCNCET inquiry into Availability and access to enabling communications infrastructure in Australia's external territories About CiFi: CiFi (AKA Christmas Island Fibre Internet) is a locally owned & run telecommunications provider based on Christmas Island. At our core, we are a small group of highly motivated & skilled technicians and engineers with a real passion for telecommunications & technology on the island territories of Australia. Our team have worked for years in the IT & Telecommunications industries specializing in niche solutions for the island territories, specifically Christmas & Norfolk Islands. We work in conjunction with many different telecom & solution providers, especially Vocus, with whom we have formed a healthy strategic partnership. Over the years we have lived & worked on the islands, we have completed multitudes of private projects, as well as delivering some large-scale public projects such as: - NBN LTSS Skymuster rollout, under the acceleration program (mid-late 2017), delivering 800 services in 6 months on Christmas Island. See https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/christmas-island-internet- services-cut-over-nbn-rollout-ng-211225b92071a21930db951cbdd9f0c7 - Working alongside Vocus to provide a rapid deployment high speed public access WiFi network in the international detention center on Christmas Island, in response to the facility being used for COVID19 evacuee quarantine in February 2020. We know from firsthand experience how challenging and limiting the infrastructure & internet access options can be on external island territories, not to mention getting an effective connectivity solution and support for your service from mainland-based companies.
    [Show full text]
  • Fixed Wireless
    Evaluating Fixed Wireless May 8, 2018 Today’s Sponsor http://finleyusa.com Our Goals for Today • Outline and discuss fixed wireless technology and its applications • Provide insight on spectrum options and uses • Share some lessons learned from real world fixed wireless deployments Chris Konechne Bernie Arnason (Moderator) Project Engineer Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Finley Engineering Telecompetitor A little background…. 01 Rich fixed wireless history 02 CAF/CAF-II Auction Impact 03 Lots of interest beyond CAF 04 5G promise? Evaluating Fixed Wireless Chris Konechne, Project Engineer Finley Engineering May 8, 2018 www.FinleyUSA.com Ben Humphrey,Chris Konechne Vice President [email protected]@fecinc.com @FinleyEng (507) 777-2255 Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company Company History 1907 Established 1973 2010 cooperative Private All Fiber with 107 lines Optic members introduced Network 1958 1985 Upgraded Digital to dial Switching telephone service www.FinleyUSA.com Ben Humphrey,Chris Konechne Vice President [email protected]@fecinc.com @FinleyEng (507) 777-2255 Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company 2010 – FTTH Buildout - 319 Subscribers Growth Customers 1800 2015 – First fixed wireless 1600 deployment – 100 wireless 1400 customers 1200 2016 – Wireless coverage expands 1000 2017 – Nobles County Fiber and Wireless Project begins 800 Subscribers construction. Over 2,000 600 new passings added 400 200 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Wireless Fiber Total www.FinleyUSA.com Ben Humphrey,Chris Konechne Vice President [email protected]@fecinc.com @FinleyEng (507) 777-2255 What is fixed wireless broadband? • High speed broadband services utilizing radio waves instead of copper or fiber optic connections.
    [Show full text]
  • FTTH Vs. Fixed Wireless
    FTTH vs. Fixed Wireless Brian Schrand - Director of Application Engineering How Important is High Speed Internet? Key Factors to Consider When Winning and Retaining Customers • Customers are no longer transparent to what type of network a provider uses to deliver their services. • Customers want four things from their provider 1. A bill that where the price stays the same 2. The services provided are stable and consistent 3. Responsive support 4. Mobility Technology Timeline What Type of Network Architecture? Network Evolution • FTTC – Fiber To The Curb used the twisted pair in the last mile to deliver high speed bandwidth services • FTTN – Fiber To The Node used coax in the last mile to deliver high speed bandwidth services • Fixed wireless uses wireless technologies to deliver high speed bandwidth services • Copper and coax have a difficult time keeping up with bandwidth demands. The copper world is now working on Category 8 cables, the 6th major upgrade since the 1990s • After being introduced in 1997 with the capacity of 2 Mbps, customers using 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WiFi) standard have typically upgraded their modems multiple times in order to keep up with bandwidth demand FTTH Network Diagram Why Fiber? • Single-mode fiber has been the predominant type of fiber deployed in FTTH networks. • Optical fiber was commercially introduced in the early to mid 1980s, and the basic design and construction has stayed the same. • Fiber cables deployed in most networks during the 1980s are still commonly used today. • Fiber technologies have significantly improved since the 1980s making fiber much more cost effective and easier to install today.
    [Show full text]
  • Wireless Broadband: a Versatile and Reliable Network Alternative in a Challenging Environment, Wireless Solutions Prove Their Value and Affordability
    Wireless Broadband Solutions Wireless Broadband: A Versatile and Reliable Network Alternative In a Challenging Environment, Wireless Solutions Prove their Value and Affordability Motorola fixed wireless broadband solutions are a smart investment when balancing business needs with network performance and budget reality. CIOs and network operators face a number of Meeting the Challenge challenges. The most notable of these include During difficult economic cycles, the business developing network migration strategies that con- of governments, municipalities and commercial tribute to competitive advantages and addressing enterprises doesn’t stop; it just gets harder. Compe- the ongoing—and often immediate—necessity for tition doesn’t quit; it just gets tougher. In technology upgrades to current networks. Despite tighter bud- terms, networks need to deliver higher performance gets, shortened timetables and evolving technolo- so people can be more productive. To positively gies, astute, cost-effective investments in network affect the bottom line, organizations can no longer infrastructure that deliver continuous connectivity rely on the status quo. They need more efficient and collaboration are essential. processes and powerful new applications. All of this requires reliable networks that deliver diversity, Bottom Line Investment scalability and more bandwidth at a time when more Citing its own recent IT leadership survey, IDG bandwidth costs more money and budgets may be Research Services notes that “Economic constraints shrinking. It becomes a question of balancing the call for more conscientious decision-making… need for more network power and performance with improving efficiencies and reducing costs is the limited resources. It becomes a matter of tapping most important advantage survey respondents into the power and reliability of wireless broadband.
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-Gigabit Fixed Wireless Backhaul for Wi-Fi
    SOLUTION PAPER Multi-Gigabit Fixed Wireless Backhaul for Wi-Fi IN YOUR LIFE AND COMMUNITY, DO YOU ALREADY USE PUBLIC WI-FI HOW MUCH DOES HOTSPOTS? If you already do, then you will be glad to hear that more Wi-Fi hotspots are expected MULTI-GIGABIT FIXED in your community and around the globe. The Cisco VNI (Visual Networking Index) predicts that Wi-Fi WIRELESS BACKHAUL hotspots will exceed 600 million sites by 2023, up 4x from 2018. According to analyst Matthew Ball at FOR WI-FI COST? HOW Canalys, “Canalys estimates investment in outdoor Wi-Fi access points (AP) will reach US$646 million in MUCH SPEED AND 2024, representing a CAGR of 9% over a four-year period.” While the growth rate and need are beyond CAPACITY DO WE question, the essential network infrastructure questions remain the same: how do I rapidly deliver the REALLY NEED? WITH 60 necessary broadband and deploy the infrastructure to minimize costs and maximize value? GHZ, YOU CAN CONNECT WI-FI HOTSPOTS. What Will It Cost and How Fast Will It Be? PON (Passive Optical Network) fiber networks are fast, delivering an aggregate 2.5 Gbps broadband, but they get extremely expensive in urban zones as cost of access and labor increases. The U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation) website records the true cost for municipalities around the United States. According to the U.S. DOT, the cost (cabling, termination, splice cases, optical splitters, labor) can range from $6,600 USD to $118,000 USD per mile ($73,000 USD per kilometer). If we take out the top five in the U.S.
    [Show full text]