Technical and economic analysis of TVWS and 5.8 GHz WiFi systems for rural areas

Abstract

Long-range wireless systems operating in the 5.8 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands are used in the implementation of communication systems that aim to provide Internet to populations settled in rural areas. Due to its wide demand, there is a diversity of brands and models on the market. On the other hand, in recent years the deployment of TVWS (Television White Spaces) wireless systems has been promoted in rural areas. In Peru, these wireless systems can use frequency bands between 470 MHz and 692 MHz. Because they use the lower portion of the UHF band, these systems have greater geographical coverage in relation to long-range WiFi or microwave systems. This document presents a technical and economic analysis related to the deployment of TVWS and long-range 5.8 GHz WiFi systems in rural areas in Peru. The conclusions obtained are based on the results of simulations carried out with Radio Mobile, the review of reports and articles of pilot projects currently implemented, as well as some results of laboratory and field tests. In general, TVWS equipment and, possibly, associated infrastructure are much more expensive than WiFi. TVWS systems should be considered as an alternative to WiFi systems to implement point-to-multipoint systems in cases where it is desired to maximize geographic coverage, when radio links pass through vegetation or when it is desired to establish links in conditions of poor line of sight.