The economic impact of telecommunications infrastructure on economic growth is enormous. Studies on the impact of ICT have indicated approximately a third of economic growth can be attributed to telecommunications.
Mobile Network Extension
Trial of satellite backhaul for femtocells
Avanti Consulting undertook a project, sponsored by the Department of Enterprise and Industry Northern Ireland, to trial and develop femtocell and picocell (mini-mobile base stations) technologies in rural deployments. It formed the proof of concept for providing voice, fixed and mobile broadband to rural areas using a single satellite network infrastructure.
The project demonstrated the potential for this technology in low population density areas as a means of providing in-fill for mobile networks.The project involved technical and commercial evaluation of picocell and femtocell products from different manufacturers through customer trials and an extensive analysis of the market opportunity for the deployment of the technology in Northern Ireland, which suffers from a lack of 3G mobile coverage. Avanti is currently engaged in a second phase of the project developing a product for commercial use.