Wireless network deployment configurations: Dwesa marginalized area as a case study

ABSTRACT

Several technological initiatives have been, and will continue to be implemented across the world to tackle the major barriers in bridging the digital divide. These include the use of Internet and other ICTs. This is seen as a gigantic step in the alleviation of the different paramount social-economic problems, at the same time, in the transformation of the society and realization of a truly free and democratic world society. The use of technology in bridging this gap is a fundamental advancement because it also brings with it a mutual understanding and elimination of differential powers within communities in both developing and developed countries worldwide. This paper describes how different wireless access technologies can be combined and deployed to facilitate a continuous flow of information, in and out of the marginalized areas in developing countries. It further explains again, the major role of having Internet connectivity in these areas and how it's seen as an improvement in successfully deployment of ICT4D activities. Different technologies such as WiFi, WiMAX and VSAT will be explored and discussed for the best wireless deployment configurations for the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL). SLL was chosen as our test bed and it is located in Dwesa Community. This is one of the deep marginalized rural communities in South Africa found in the Eastern Cape Region.

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