Trends in telecommunication services provision: powerline network can provide alternative for access in developing countries

Abstract

The key problem in providing communication services in developing countries like Tanzania have been identified as using standard networks which have been designed for high capacity. As a result the cost of telecommunication provision has tended to be at high cost compared to the actual income of the citizen. Currently, in order to enhance the interconnectivity to our citizens, we need to integrate technologies and favour those which can reach end users directly. It has already been realized that the powerline network has enough capacity to support communications services. The trend indicates that it can provide connectivity to many end users in African countries like Tanzania. For example: while we talk teledensity of 1.5, the electricity coverage has gone up to 10% in Tanzania. This might be a good investment to communication "powerline data communication has the potential to empower many people because data is information and information is power". The paper discusses the trends in telecommunication services provision and also the use of the powerline network setup for communication and other services.