Download 1 - IFAD Asia

1. Community Radio- FAQ’s
1 Why is low power radio conceptually different from traditional broadcasting?
Low power radio is designed to provide a wireless connection between two nearby points.
Depending on the precise technology employed, this can be a very high quality connection,
and may also be significantly cheaper than using wires or optical fiber.
1.1 Where is low power radio used?
Low power radio is used for one to many and one to one connectivity. The former is
normally called broadcasting, while the latter is called telephony. It provides enormous
value addition because of frequency reuse, where the same frequency is repeatedly deployed
in physically contiguous areas. Since the signal from one area does not penetrate to the next,
it can be reused without causing signal interference or degradation of signal quality.
1.1.2 At very low power radio provides for another form of deployment, namely
narrowcasting, a term coined to define ‘one to a few’ communication.
1.1.3 Most people are aware of and acknowledge the widespread use of low power radio as a
community communication tool, where the community owns and operates its own local
radio broadcasting station.
Such stations are commonly called community radio stations.
1.1.4 In recent years, very low power radio has become commonplace for data
communications. There are several standards governing the use of such technology, one of
which is the IEEE 802.n family of data communication standards. This is popularly known
as Wi-Fi. Devices using this standard are normally linked to computers.
1.1.4.1 Another popular form of low power radio is cellular telephony. The generic term
cellular telephony is used because the wireless telephones are linked together in local cells.
The switch in each cell is in turn connected to other switches, and the system handles
switching across the entire network and also handing over the signal as the user travels
between cells. Another term for this technology is therefore mobile technology, since it
supports mobile connectivity.
1.1.4.2 The current favorite form of this technology is GSM, or Groupe Systeme Mobile,
which is cost effective and delivers a very clear signal.
1.1.4.3 A second standard finding favor now is CDMA, or code division multiple access,
where cell sizes are much smaller. It is designed for both data and voice connectivity, and is
therefore gaining ground around the world, including India.
1.1.4.4 A hybrid form of wireless/wireline telephony developed in India uses CorDECT, an
adaptation of an earlier technology called DECT. This is very good for both data and voice,
but is primarily an interconnect stage and does not provide for the 'last mile' to the user,
which is currently through wire.
1.1.5 Audio kiosks use wireless to deliver sound to nearby listeners. Applications of this
technology are in places of historical or cultural interest, where a great deal of information
can be delivered conveniently to visitors remotely through headphones.
1.1.6 Apart from direct delivery to listeners through private radio receivers or handsfree
headphones, a significant number of people gathered together in an open space can
conveniently be given reasonably high quality sound using a large number of small
loudspeakers scattered around the space. This substitutes for conventional solutions, such as
the traditional bank of speakers at the stage, or distributed horn speakers with high energy
conversion and low quality (due to very low audio bandwidth).
Such a solution is built with a set of radiospeakers distributed around the space, each tuned
to the same broadcast frequency and delivering audio output through relatively small and
inexpensive cone speakers. The input sound, whether it is speech or entertainment (music,
etc) is handled in the traditional manner. However, the output is fed to a low power FM
transmitter and it is this signal that each receiver collects and converts to low volume audio.
The total listening experience is amazingly unique and different from any other form of
aural reproduction, delivering an excellent sound experience. As an added benefit, the
ambient sound level in the area remains low, avoiding a source of disturbance for other
people in the area who may not wish to hear the content. The potential for concepts such as
protracted open air late night concerts, essential for superior performance of, for instance,
Indian classical music, are unprecedented.
1.1.7 A similar system can be used for multi-point sound input as well, with the addition of a
sound mixer to blend the sounds of multiple individual audio sources into a single or dual
channel set. This can be delivered to radio receivers suitably placed around the space, to
create a pleasantly smooth blanket of sound. This results in an overall even distribution of
sound pressure, unlike traditional concentrated nodes of high pressure sound.
The objective of such an aural environment design is to deliver sound levels considered
better for rhythmic music, without the necessity to raise sound pressure at any point to
dangerous or unpleasant levels.
Using low power radio to achieve this objective not only frees the area from a network of
wires, it also ensures that the sound remains mostly within the target area.
2 What is community radio, and why do we not have a functioning
community radio environment in India?
Community Radio essentially means a wireless broadcasting installation that is owned and
operated by the community that forms its audience. It commonly implies a low power and
inexpensive setup that confines its signal to the community of people clustered nearby.
Since the government of India till very recently prohibited the use of the airwaves by private
citizens, several NGOs used to do a workaround by taping programmes and playing these
back to groups of villagers. Now that the situation has eased, this workaround may stop.
However, since the proposed liberalization is only limited to either urban commercial or
residential educational institutions, there may still be some difficulties for taking community
radio to the villages, which is where it will have the maximum positive impact.
The government has not so far advocated this possibility, which is unfortunate. In too many
areas of civic facilities, we persist as a nation in adopting a patronizing top down approach
to everything. The result is that the people who most need to look for self-reliance are forced
to continue to depend on government handouts.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India licenses community radio stations.
State or lower governing units are not permitted to license any form of broadcasting,
although, unlike high-power radio stations, they cover only a small geographical area. The
idea of such a station is to ensure that local people take hands-on responsibility for
production and dissemination of audio content. This is the basic spirit of community radio.
Government recognized residential colleges and schools are the only
institutional/organisational categories that can run ‘CRS’ in India, however, this
characterization of community radio station is unknown in the rest of the world.
2.1 What are the essential ingredients needed to set up a radio station?
Any wireless broadcasting station needs the following inputs: installation and maintenance
of a transmitter and antenna, a studio setup, content design and management, production,
and operations.
2.1.1 The first set of these is largely a technical job, but with low power also comes ease of
use, to the point that any ordinarily smart person with a little training can handle most of the
tasks. With locally available maintenance also comes self-reliance, hence this is a desirable
condition.
2.1.2 The studio setup can vary from a simple arrangement of tape recorders to a highly
engineered production studio. The ability to pre-record at least part of the content in general
will make for a better quality of programming, which means a higher level of satisfaction for
listeners. After the first excitement of having locally produced programmes, there will
naturally be a demand for quality in order to sustain listener-ship. According to the recently
released guidelines for Indian community radio stations, they are expected to maintain six
month's content as tape recordings, in any case.
2.1.3 Content design and management is naturally the key to running a successful show.
And the most important element of this is the production of programmes that the listeners
prefer to listen to. This aspect therefore involves research of listener needs and from that,
design of programmes to satisfy those needs. Content management implies arrangement of
programmes to satisfy the disparate needs of different listener groups within the community.
As with any new media, listener needs will vary and grow with the listening habit, so this is
a very interesting job.
2.1.4 Production is actually the management of programme production, including ensuring
the broadcast personnel are available in the broadcast studios at the appointed time, as well
as ensuring the scheduled programmes are broadcast on time.
2.1.5 Operations is the technical job of ensuring the scheduled programmes actually get
transmitted over the airwaves.
2.2 What is the geographical coverage of a community radio station?
The maximum capacity of a community radio transmitter has been limited to 50 watt. The
broadcast will therefore cover a smaller geographical area, compared to conventional radio
stations. A 50-watt transmitter will cover a 20-25 kms radius, if the terrain is flat. Using a
taller antenna mast can increase the coverage slightly, but the cost of the tower goes up
enormously as its height increases.
2.3 Does the government owned All India Radio operate any CRS?
As on February 2003, there are five government owned and operated (All India Radio)
CRS'. The details are listed below. In addition, one MW transmitter has been leased to the
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad.
Name of State
Nagaland(English)
Meghalaya(KhasiGaro)
Mizoram(Mizo)
Sl.No. Station Name
1
Mon
Date of Comm.
10.06.2000
Tr.Strength
1 KW MW
2
Tuensang
10.06.2000
1 KW MW
3
Nongstoin
10.06.2000
1 KW MW
4
Williamnagar
01.07.2000
1 KW MW
5
Saiha
10.06.2000
1 KW MW
Using the term CRS for stations owned and operated by the government is a misnomer.
However, given that the technical challenges of running a station are particularly immense
in the hill states, any broadcasting centers that help local people to get a voice are probably
better than none at all.
2.4 Is there an alternative route to starting a community radio station in India?
Gyan Vani (the education channel of the Indira Gandhi National Open University) is
mandated and licensed to operate 40 stations in india. The Cooperative Model of Gyan Vani
aims to carve out a distinct broadcast identity, by embracing a non-commercial approach
and philosophy to broadcasting. The suggested cooperative model envisages 60:40 ratio of
the educational and social sector respectively, with software pooling to flow from:
Serva Shikha Abhiyan
Primary & Secondary Education
Adult Education
Technical & Vocational Education
Higher Education
Distance Education
Extension Education, etc.
Ministries such as Agriculture, Environment, Health, Women & Child
Welfare, Science & Technology, etc.
Non-Governmental Organizations
UN Agencies
IGNOU has already started several stations, the latest being in Kolkata in July 2003. Contact
IGNOU to explore the possibilities of starting one in your area.
Additionally, AIR has got several decommissioned transmitters operating in the MW band.
These are available for restarting on fairly reasonable terms, together with use of studio
facilities etc., to recognised residential educational institutions in the same area. One such
installation has been contracted out in Hyderabad to the National Institute of Agricultural
Extension Management for a year, at a reported cost of about Rs 25 lakhs.
There are 28 such facilities currently lying fallow.
3 Expenditure on a CRS
There are several aspects to the cost of building a community radio station, ranging from the
fees charged by the government to the capital expenditure on equipment and then the
operating expenses.
3.1 License: how much and when is it renewable?
There is no license fee, but reportedly the Wireless Planning Commission Wing of Ministry
of Communications and IT spectrum will charge an anuual usage fee of Rs 4-8 lakhs,
depending upon the geographical broadcast area. Logically this will not apply to stations
leased from AIR. We will update this information here as soon as enough stations begin
operations. The prescribed license application form is available from the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting. It is renewable every three years.
3.2 Is there any other cost?
To avoid vested interests from blocking frequencies, a bank guarantee
of Rs 50,000 is needed.
3.3 What is the capital cost?
It really depends on the size of the coverage area. Oddly enough, the cost actually rises
sharply as the area increases, because the signal in the FM frequency band is highly
dependent on line of sight, and a lot of power is needed to overcome obstacles such as trees
and concrete buildings. The signal will go further if to the antenna is raised to a height.
Normally, a steel mast is used to do this, but if a suitably tall building is available, the cost
of the mast may be minimised.
The transmitter can be built by hand from the design given on the Radiophony site,
www.radiophony.com, or from kits available abroad. Alternatively, it is possible to buy
readymade transmitters from manufacturers abroad, but check out for import licenses before
doing this. In any case, this is a very complicated procedure, since the import cannot be done
until the broadcast license is granted, and that is dependent upon equipment clearance by
WPC.
The license permits transmitters of power rating up to 50W, which is substantial. The
transmitter consists of an FM exciter and a radio frequency amplifier. It is possible to buy
these separately.
The antenna can also be assembled in India, following established design criteria. It is best
to use a power meter to test the antenna during assembly, as the efficiency can be optimised
very closely at the desired frequency.
The steel mast must be properly designed and erected, as tall towers are subject to a lot of
stress in high wind conditions. It should also be well grouted to a firm foundation.
Aside from the transmitting part, a station needs a good studio section. This can be set up in
a reasonably small room or set of rooms. Good installations include two sets of recording
equipment, adequate numbers of microphones and mixers, and possibly separate playback
equipment, so that the station can broadcast even while recording other programmes.
All this is optional, because it is also possible to start with a minimal set of cassette tape
recorders and microphones.
We have found that commercial digital minidisk recorders are good value for money,
because the format supports high audio compression ratios, thus saving immensely on
archival costs. The recorders handle both recording and non-linear editing, and of course
playback, another huge cost saving. Another option is to use computers for program storage,
editing and retrieval, since high capacity hard disks are now extremely cheap. An advantage
of this arrangement is that the installation can double up as a computer center, thus lending
the possibility of earning commercially from the equipment. In addition, if the Internet is
available at the chosen location, huge amounts of information can be accessed easily in
order to boost program content.
4 License
This set of queries details the process to get a license.
4.1 How do you get a license?
Apply to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for
the prescribed form. After completion, it must be mailed back to the
same person.
Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Room No. 664, A Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
Tel No.: 3383374
Email: [email protected]
4.2 How long will it take to get the license after applying?
At this point in time, there is no guaranteed response period. Several ministries have to
individually and severally give their appoval before the next stage. These are the ministries
of Home Affairs, Defense, Human Resources Development and External Affairs. Once
clearance from each of these is obtained, a letter of intent and/or license will be issued.
4.3 Once the license is given can broadcasting begin immediately?
Unfortunately not. There are a number of necessary formalities still. These include obtaining
Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations (SACFA) clearance to set
up the necessary broadcast facilities, and a Wireless Operating License from the Wireless
Planning Commission Wing of Ministry of Communications and IT.
5 Technical
This describes the technical components needed to get the station running.
5.1 What type of equipment is needed for the radio station?
There are two areas of equipment essential for a station: the studio and the transmitter.
The studio consists of recording and editing equipment. The license calls for six months
archival of all broadcasts, so there must also be provision for storage and retrieval of all
material. In any case, it is always better to have a bank of audio material avialble, on the one
hand, and on the other, such material can also be a valuable asset for the facility.
The recording equipment consists of microphones, portable tape recorders for outdoor
recording, fixed recorders for studio recording, hardware such as stands and seating
arrangements etc.
The editing equipment consists of a dual console playback equipment player, preferably
with a compact disc playing facility, and a mixer or multimedia computer. The latter handles
the two tasks of editing and mixing. A significant advantage is the ability to do non-linear
editing, but this needs more expertise to handle, and the system is also more prone to
breakdown. Dedicated non-linear editing equipment is very expensive.
Transmission is handled by a combination of transmitter and antenna, the latter being
mounted on a tall mast, made of a sturdy construction. Steel is often used for the mast, but
the antenna must be electromagnetically isolated from it, with a tough mounting made from
a non-ferrous metal.
Using pairs of all equipment ensures that there is a backup available if there is a breakdown.
5.2 Is there any other critical item?
Nearly all the equipment described here runs on electricity. It is impossible to be completely
reliant on a steady electricity supply, so make sure that there is adequate backup available in
terms of batteries and inverters. A solar power battery charger can cut costs, and there are
subsidies available to defray the cost of such arrangements.
Interestingly, a few groups running CRS have evolved innovative methods by depending on
energy derived from paddling of wheels of a bicycle for 2-3 hours to charge batteries. This is
locally available even where electricity has not reached.
5.3 Where is the equipment for broadcasting sourced?
The transmitters and audio equipment could be purchased from agencies within India, or
imported from abroad. The masts and perhaps the physical studio may need to be
constructed with the help of an engineering construction agency.
Contact Radiophony for an assessment and proposal to handle your needs.
6 Management
Here we deal with the nitty-gritty of starting a station and keeping it running.
6.1 How do we get people to handle the various tasks?
Although radio has been around for many decades in the country, there is an enormous
dearth of experienced and trained people to run stations.
There are two types of people needed: management and technical. The management staff
will ensure that there is sufficient audio material available for broadcast, and monitor the
broadcast and the audience to ensure that it is the right kind of material and that it is being
broadcast at the best possible listening time. The technical staff carry out production
activities (including direction and editing of audio programmes), both for creation of audio
material and ensuring that it goes on the air with optimal efficiency.
We suggest a training workshop for potential staffers. Such a workshop exposes and
familiarises local staff to the skills needed to handle all the audio and transmission
equipment mentioned earlier. The non-technical part of training covers the production of
programs and learning how to assess programme response and scheduling.
6.2 Where does one find trainers, and who should the trainees be?
The technical trainer can be a suitable person from an operational audio studio in the same
area. Another alternative is to contact the nearest All India Radio station and request the
station director for permission in training on audio equipment. Unfortunately, there is a wide
variety, with different brands of audio handling equipment, and the systems can be different.
Nevertheless the basic principles are the same. You may also contact us to design and
conduct a training workshop.
A community radio station should involve local people. There should not be any
preconceived limitations. This is the only form of media where literacy is not a measure of
competence or ability.
6.3 How long can training take?
As long as it takes for the trainees to get comfortable with the equipment, and to expose
them to different types of programme concepts. It should be very hands-on, with plenty of
opportunity for them to create their own trial programs and to hear them being broadcast
(which is easy for a new station, since people will not expect to hear such broadcasts at
unusual times of the day).
6.4 What type of programs can be broadcast?
Excepting news itself, and items of direct political or offensive nature, anything of interest
to the community can and should form the content from the station. Generally speaking,
agriculture, education, environment, health, and entertainment programs are likely to be
popular broadcasts from a typical community radio station. Since the program content is
non-commercial by design, it is unlikely that popular copyrighted music will be affordable,
but this should be taken as an opportunity to highlight local talent. Other activities like radio
browsing (obtaining specific information from the Internet for listener(s), most of whom
who will not have access to computers, and broadcasting it), messages, announcements and
celebrations are very likely to find a good audience.
Radio informs and entertains. Information on specific issue of interest related to
development can be disseminated in different formats. For example, documentary, song,
quiz, drama, and interview/panel discussion are completely different ways of handling the
same content. Entertainment has no thumb rule.
6.5 What cannot be broadcast?
There is a broadcasting code laid down by the information and broadcasting ministry that
has to be followed.
6.6 How can local people actively participate?
Local involvement is the key differentiator of community media. Community radio stations
around the world are successful due to people actively participating voluntarily (or even
paid) to contribute to the functioning of the station. Everyone must gain a sense of
ownership, because the community radio station belongs to its people.
The licensee (in most likelihood, given the current license conditions, a local school or
college) that runs the radio station should form a team of involved people and experts, to
create an executive branch within the radio station to address the issues relevant to welfare
of the community. Get people on board in the decision-making processes, such as the time
of broadcast that is appropriate to listeners, content of programs and contributions from
within the community, to name a few examples.
6.7 How can institutes/organizations who physically own the CRS
benefit the community?
This is possible by talking to people directly to identify their basic needs that are not
covered by other media. CRS can provide solutions to issues related to agriculture,
education, environment, health, and others by delivering information directly to listeners at
the place and time of their convenience.
Having said that, in other parts of the world there is a clear differentiation of value added by
educational radio and community radio.
6.8 How can a community radio station become self-sustaining?
All programs broadcast from the station must be free to air, and not carry either sponsored or
commercial content. Having said this, it is not clear, but reasonable to presume, that it is
possible to solicit subscriptions from the community. This may ensure that people get a
sense of value by its existence, both for the station and for themselves and their ownership
of the station.
6.9 What should be the duration of broadcast?
A good rule of thumb is that one hour of broadcast will take three to four hours of
preparation. Thus at least half a day or pure production work is needed to ensure at least one
hour a day of broadcasting. Thus a new station wil porbably not be able to handle more than
about an hour per day of broadcasting, but as people get experience and find more ways of
developing interesting programme material, this will get extended.
If the station is geographically reasonably close to other stations, then they can begin to
share popular material and thus enhance their own broadcast capabilities.
6.10 What is the best time of day to broadcast?
The ideal time to broadcast is a purely local decision. Conduct a little research to find a
starting point, then experiment with different schedules and take feedback on different types
of content.
A pragmatic schedule will emerge.
6.11 In what other manner can a CRS serve the community?
At Radiophony, we consider a CRS to be the first part of a complete enabled center,
providing access for communities to information from a wide variety of sources, including
the Internet, and delivering it by the most practical means to different parts of the
community.
2. Wi-Fi FAQ’s
1. What are wireless networks and can they reach underserved and rural
communities?
Wireless networks use the airwaves to send information to computers, unlike other
systems that use wires. Wireless networks are often cheaper to build, especially in rural
and remote areas. This technology could help the rural population immensely who
cannot afford or do not have access to telephone or Internet.
2. What is WiFi?
A way to get networking access, the term Wi-Fi is a play upon the decades-old term HiFi
that describes the type of output generated by quality musical hardware.
Wi-Fi is short for "Wireless Fidelity," and it is the popular name for 802.11-based
technologies that have passed Wi-FI certification testing. This includes IEEE 802.11a,
802.11b, 802.11g and upcoming 802.11 wireless protocols.
2.1
What is this technology about?
The technology known as Wi-Fi is open-everything. It's open standards, open spectrum,
Open Source software, open hardware. Anyone can build a Wi-Fi device -- and they do -and the plethora of options means very low cost to buy and deploy a high-speed wireless
Internet network.
2.1.1 A lot of people are excited about Wi-Fi, the common name for the 802.11
wireless network. The standard sets out the design for radios that use free, open
spectrum radio waves to carry Internet data. As the standard gained widespread
adoption, price competition drove the cost of the radios down drastically.
2.1.2 With open technologies there are often unexpected uses. Originally, businesses
used Wi-Fi radio in their offices to help roaming laptop users. But the technology
sprung an unexpected dividend as rural and marginalized communities use it to
bridge the "last mile" between their houses. Now, the last mile is increasingly 5,
10, or 20 miles, driving the creation of community wireless networks, which can
apparently connect villages very easily.
3
What is 802.11b?
802.11b, or IEEE 802.11b, is a standard that has been developed by the IEEE (Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers), for details http://standards.ieee.org/. The IEEE is an
international organization that develops standards for hundreds of electronic and
electrical technologies. The organization uses a series of numbers, like the Dewey
Decimal system in libraries, to differentiate between the various technology families.
The 802 committee develops standards for local and wide area networks (LANs and
WANs). For example, the 802.3 committee develops standards for Ethernet-based wired
networks, the 802.15 group develops standards for personal area networks, and the
802.11 committee develops standards for wireless local area networks (LAN).
802.11 is then further divided: 802.11b, or Wi-Fi, is a standard for wireless LANs
operating in the 2.4 GHz spectrum with a bandwidth of 11 Mbps.
802.11a is a different standard for wireless LANs operating in the 5 GHz frequency
range with a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps. Another draft standard, 802.11g, is for
WLANs operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency but with a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps.
Other task groups are working on enhanced security (802.11i), spectrum and power
control management (802.11h), quality of service (802.11e), etc.
4.
What is the difference between 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, etc?
802.11a (aka Wi-Fi5) – Theoretical speeds up to 54 Mbps (with a fallback to 48Mbps,
36Mbps, 24Mbps 18Mbps, 12Mbps, 9Mbps, 6Mbps) in the 5 GHz band, however not
compatible with 802.11b.
802.11b (aka Wi-Fi) – Theoretical speeds up to 11 Mbps (with a fallback to 5.5 Mbps, 2
Mbps and 1 Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz band, most popular standard with the majority of
HotSpot locations and equipment utilizing this.
802.11g – Theoretical speeds up to 54 Mbps (with a fallback to 48 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 24
Mbps, 18 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 1 Mbps) in the
2.4 GHz band, extremely fast AND compatible with 802.11b.
5. What do all the acronyms mean?
AP – Access Point
ISP – Internet Service Provider
SSID – Service Set IDentifier
VPN – Virtual Private Networking
WEP – Wired Equivalent Privacy
WI-FI – Wireless Fidelity
WISP – Wireless Internet Service Provider
WLAN – Wireless Local Area Network
6.
What is the range of a wireless network?
Range varies in a Wi-Fi network depending on the type of Wi-Fi radio you have, whether
or not you use special antennas, and whether your network is in an open environment or
in a building with lots of walls and furniture. The composition of your walls and floors
can also have a major impact. Wi-Fi is a very low powered radio signal and does not
penetrate metal, water or other dense materials.
It has found that a Wi-Fi network generally provides a range of about 75 to 150 feet in a
typical home or office. In an open environment like an empty warehouse or outdoors, a
Wi-Fi network may provide a range of up to 1,000 feet or more. With the right antennas
and optimal placement, a range of up to 25 miles is possible.
With Wi-Fi technology (802.11b or 802.11a), a "gradual degradation" in range occurs.
This means that, instead of stopping all together, your data transmission rate just becomes
slower as you move farther away from the access point. For example, with Wi-Fi 802.11b
technology, within 100 feet of the access point, the Wi-Fi radio in your laptop computer
will get about 11 Mbps data rate. As you move farther away, that rate will drop down to
5.5 Mbps, then to 2 Mbps and finally to 1 Mbps. Considering that many DSL and cable
Internet connections are less than 1 Mbps, this connection speed is still very good.
5.
What Makes Up a Wireless Network?
Wi-Fi devices "connect" to each other by transmitting and receiving signals on a specific
frequency of the radio band. The various components can connect to each other directly
(this is called "peer-to-peer") or through a gateway or access point. When you create your
Wi-Fi network it will consist of two basic components: Wi-Fi radios and access points or
gateways.
5.1 How can it be useful?
Wi-Fi radios are embedded or attached to the desktop computers, laptops and mobile
devices in your network. The access points or gateways act as "base stations" - they send
and receive signals from the Wi-Fi radios to connect the various components to each
other as well as to the Internet. All computers in your Wi-Fi network can then share
resources, exchange files and use a single Internet connection.
6. What is the difference between Wi-Fi and WiMax
Wi-Fi and WiMAX will coexist and become increasingly complementary technologies
for their respective applications. Wi-Fi technology was designed and optimized for Local
Area Networks (LAN), whereas WiMAX was designed and optimized for Metropolitan
Area Networks (MAN). WiMAX typically is not thought of as a replacement for Wi-Fi.
Rather, WiMAX complements Wi-Fi by extending its reach and providing a "Wi-Fi like”
user experience on a larger geographical scale. In the 2006-2008 timeframe, it is expected
that both 802.16 and 802.11 will be available in end user devices from laptops to PDAs,
as both will deliver wireless connectivity directly to the end user – at home, in the office
and on the move.
7. Which one is useful to us: Peer-to-Peer Network, or one with a Base Station
(An Access Point or Gateway)?
A peer-to-peer network is composed of several Wi-Fi equipped computers talking to each
other without using a base station (an access point or gateway). All “Wi-Fi
CERTIFIED™” equipment supports this type of wireless set-up, which can be useful for
transferring data between computers or sharing an Internet connection among a few
computers in a room. A peer-to-peer wireless network can be a good solution if you have
three or fewer computers or if you're on a budget but most users will use an access point
to connect Wi-Fi devices since this will provide for the best user experience and allow for
easier Internet sharing.
7.1 What does Access Points and Gateways mean?
Even though client device radios can be configured to talk to each other, a Wi-Fi network
operates more effectively when using a central base station to coordinate
communications.
There are two types of Wi-Fi wireless base stations: a gateway and an access point.
However, the distinctions between the two are not always clear, in part because the
functions they perform can overlap. Even more confusing, many wired devices and other
home Internet appliances also call themselves gateways.
A wireless gateway is targeted toward a totally wireless home or small-office
environment; an access point is targeted toward a more integrated combined Ethernet and
wireless environment -- usually larger businesses, campuses, or corporations. Gateways
and access points can also differ regarding their capacity to perform security functions,
provide firewall protection, and manage network traffic and tasks.
Gateways often include NAT (Network Address Translation) routing and DHCP
(Dynamic Host Control Protocol) services. These create and provide the individual IP
addresses all the wireless (and wired) clients need to function in a network and also
enable a single Wi-Fi gateway to simultaneously provide Internet access to numerous
users from a single shared Internet connection . Gateways may also include other
applications and features such as encryption and security, VPN, firewall, and Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP).
An access point does not usually furnish NAT routing or DHCP; the wired routers in the
system provide those network functions. Access points work as merely transparent
bridges between wired networks and the various wireless users throughout a facility.
Even though access points generally do not provide NAT or DHCP, they usually enable
roaming (the ability to move from one access point to another without losing contact with
your network), higher levels of security, and a high level of network control and
management. Some gateways also provide these services. In fact, by toggling certain
functions on and off, many wireless base stations can operate either as a gateway or as an
access point. But a gateway is usually the only wireless base station in a small office or
home, whereas in a large office or campus there might be hundreds or thousands of
access points forming one or multiple overlapping wireless networks.
8. How Does Wi-Fi Compare to Other Networking Methods?
No other networking technology used to set up a small home or SOHO network provides
the convenience or mobility of a Wi-Fi network. That's because other methods, including
standard wired Ethernet networks and phone line- and power line-based networks, all
require a connection via wire or cable.
Wi-Fi uses radio waves that travel through walls and floors and connect you anywhere,
indoors or out.
Networks based on phone lines, also called HomePNA, must have a phone jack close to
the computer or peripheral that is to be networked with the rest of your system.
Unfortunately, in rural areas in India it becomes a fantasy.
Networks based on power lines, also called HomePlug, have location problems, too. Of
course, there are many more power outlets in a home than there are phone plugs, but
power plugs may not be where you need them when you need them, especially outdoors.
Power line networks are often more expensive than Wi-Fi based equipment. Power line
networks can experience interference from transformers, large appliances, power strips,
surge protectors and even common "wall warts" (DV power supplies). In addition,
apartments and condominiums that share power lines may also inadvertently share access
to confidential files and information on the computers that are attached to the power line
network — even if users think they've established tight security protections
9. What are Community Wireless Networks?
If you are using mostly desktop computers, a wired network may work fine.
However, for mobility, modifications and growth (especially if you are running a
small business), Wi-Fi provides the best answer because it enables you to move
the computers anywhere in the building where they can connect to the wireless
network. If you or your company move to a new location, you don't need to leave
your cables, cable drops and other network investments behind. The entire
wireless network comes with you and takes only moments to set up in a new
location.
Community wireless networks are being built using WiFi, or "Wireless Fidelity", a
standard technology that provides wireless Internet connection using unlicensed
spectrum. Wi-Fi uses the same unlicensed airwaves that cordless telephones, microwave
ovens and lots of other devices use to transmit data or heat food.
These networks are being built by a variety of organizations including volunteer
cooperatives, non-profit organizations, local governments, business development
associations and educational institutions — many in partnership with each other. The
networks are helping to deliver Internet access to residential neighborhoods, downtown
districts, remote rural locations with equal efficiency.
10. Are some technologies better suited for community-owned networks?
Emerging technologies may soon significantly enhance the potential applicability of
community owned networks, in terms of their economic feasibility and the types of
environment in which they can be deployed.
10.1 What are these characteristics?
Certain characteristics especially of wireless technologies, such as WiFi, WiMax,
corDECT and others, are especially suitable.

They cost less to implement in rural areas, as compared to wired or
cellular based solutions;

They have a flat cost curve, offering only limited economies of scale, and
are thus suited to small scale implementation;

They are relatively easily maintained;

They are flexible in terms of the services they can provide, including data
and voice;

They use open standards, and low-cost open source network management
software is now available.
All of these favour deployment in rural communities, with relatively limited investment
and technical experience, but capable of leveraging local resources.