|
|||
|
Last Mile initiative Mongolia Connecting Rural Communities![]() Each village or soum in Mongolian is usually surrounded by baghs. A bagh is a remote homestead usually defined by its portable Ger (traditional felt and wood home). Some soum and bagh communities are semi-nomadic and require a portable telecom solution. Innovative Technologies - VoWiFi The pilot project follows Darrell Owens April 2005 LMI assessment of Mongolia. In his initial assessment, Owen suggested a WiFi-based pilot project as the best means of connecting rural Mongolia in an effective and affordable way. Owen suggested a wireless technology based on Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi). This new technology is a mobile phone version of a PC-based version called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). VoIP is making headlines across the world with companies like Vonage and Skype leading a revolution in the telecom industry by offering voice communications via wireless-Internet as opposed to traditional copper wire or digital mobile networks. In fact, the WiFi phone inter-operates with those networks as well. Testing a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network For the December trip, Darrell Owen was joined by David Lyman, a telecom network engineer, and Steve Rynecki, dot-ORG project manager. Lyman set up a test network designed to expand soum coverage via a wireless metropolitan area network (W-MAN) reaching beyond the soums via point-to-point wireless solutions (20-30km), and even into the nomadic herder community (beyond 30km) via a High Frequency (HF)-to-phone solution. The test was conducted successfully and demonstrates the viability of leveraging LMI/Mongolia project funding by partnering with local private firms who have already, and are continuing to make their own investments. Rynecki focused on developing a sustainable business model, creating partnerships with local private sector partners, and ensuring linkages with key sectors, such as tourism. Working with Local Private Sector Partners and Filling a Real Need in Rural Mongolia A key private sector partner for LMI/Mongolia is Khan Bank, Mongolias largest private bank. Khan Bank and local telecom provider Incomnet started a nationwide upgrade to deliver Internet and telecommunications access at the soum level. LMI/Mongolia will work with Khan Bank and Incomnet to build the rural phone networks. LMI/Mongolia is also discussing similar arrangements with wireless provider Terravox. There is very little in the way of voice communication in rural Mongolia and roughly 60% of all telephone calls are between local parties. VoWiFi-phones and related networks are an innovative way to connect rural residents. Activities and Services to Complement Existing Initiatives The pilot will demonstrate the usefulness and affordability of a wireless rural phone network. Future appplications for a sustainable network include the following services:
|
|||
|
![]()
|