Communication access to small and remote communities: the Corral de Lorca project

Abstract

Throughout Argentina, like in many developing countries, several ru-ral areas with low population density are present. This distribution becomes an obstacle when seeking solutions to provide broadband services with an efficient internet connection. Alternative solutions are explored which differ from those regularly implemented in developed countries. The solutions examined are re-lated to the use of long range wireless technologies, such as microwaves, 802.11, WiMax, CDMA450 and others with similar features. The reasons be-hind the implementation of these networks are associated to the speed and lack of difficulty of their set up, as well as the capability to use frequencies without requiring previous authorization. In addition, they avoid reliance on local com-munication operators. The present work discusses the implementation of 802.11 technology in these areas. Its behavior is analyzed for large coverage areas which differ from the well known solutions employed in large urban settings, where its application for short distances is consistent to its design. In particular, the case of the Corral de Lorca village, in the Argentine province of Mendoza, is presented.