Portable phone service for an upscale subdivision-an economic assessment

The economic advantages of applying low-powered digital radio in the last 1000 ft of the telephone local loop are investigated. The local loops in this study serve subscribers in a newly developed subdivision. The loop facility to accomplish this consists of two components. The first is a digital multiplexed cable carrier system from the central office to various radio ports strategically located in the service area. The second consists of low-powered, digital, multiple-access radio links which connect subscribers to the radio ports. The radio loop facility was configured to provide service only to subscribers within the boundaries of the subdivision. The results of the economic study showed that radio technology has the potential of being a viable alternative to a conventional metallic cable facility. The degree of attractiveness depends upon the system design (number of radio ports required)