Range Networks 2013
OpenBTS
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Up and running in a day.Shaddi Hasan, Researcher, UC Berkeley -
TIER
Research Group
Problem
In this Papuan community, electricity is scarce. The
source for power is a small hydro generator (5kVA),
which is turned o at night so that the reservoir can
refill. Because the community is small and the nearest
town with cellular service is an unreliable 4-hour drive
away, the population cannot be served profitably with
conventional cellular network approaches.
CASE STUDY Papua, IndonesiaThis case study highlights our
partnership with
the University of California at Berkeley to
deliver cellular service to a community in rural
Papua, Indonesia. The village had no
communications and contacted Technology
and Infrastructure for Emerging Regions (TIER)
research group at UC Berkeley to inquire about
setting up a low-cost cellular network.
Leveraging the OpenBTS software, the TIER
team established a network covering two
villages and serving over 140 people. After two
months of operation, the network is profitable
and helps to fund a local school.
Papua, Indonesia. Papua refers to the western half of New
Guinea.
Range Networks 2013
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Solution
Led by Researcher Kurtis Heimerl, the TIER team leveraged Range
Networks open source software and OEM kit to
develop modified software and hardware that met the specific
needs of the Papuan community. Many factors
contributed to creating a solution that was economically viable.
With respect to capital expense, the Range
Networks system operates as a network in a box replacing the
need for traditional core network infrastructure
(VLR/MSC and HLR) and driving down capital costs.
With respect to operating expenses, several factors drove down
costs. The base station was powered by the only
existing source of electricity, a micro-hydro generator. To
further reduce the equipments already low power
consumption, the TIER team developed power controls that enabled
the system to be put on standby at night.
Control switches were installed around the village so that
after-hours, the system could be turned on when
necessary. Range Networks system handles local calls and SMS
through local switching, which reduces the need for
VSAT backhaul. The system was operated by locals thereby
eliminating costly specialized resources that would be
typical in a traditional field deployment team.
Once the system launched, within weeks, over a hundred
subscribers connected to the network and the service was
profitable for local resellers and the VoIP operator.
Economics
A break-even ARPU around $2.50 enables a healthy
profitable ecosystem of local entrepreneurs,
operators and even helps fund a local school. After 10
weeks the network operated at an ARPU of $5.30. In
addition to funding the school, the network supports
an economy of primary and secondary resellers.
Services
Local Calls (OpenBTS voice)
Global SMS (OpenBTS SMS and VSAT connection
permits global SMS)
Subscribers
Technology
Customized Range Networks 5150 Base Station
900MHz 10W System
2 x ARFCN
Power Consumption: