A case for packet-switched telecommunication infrastructure for low-density traffic rural areas

This paper proposes a low cost voice over IP (VoIP) infrastructure for the provisioning of integrated telecommunication services to low density rural areas. A related circuit switched model, the Digital Concentrator Ring (DCR-300), was first designed by Telkom, South Africa, to supply plain old telephone service (POTS) in the rural areas. Subsequently, a research paper proposed the remodeling of the DCR-300 and showed that the redesigned system can sustain more voice traffic. This paper builds on the remodeled architecture by modifying it further into a packet switched platform, to suit the trend of telecommunications network evolution. Simulation result shows that the packet switched system can sustenance even more voice traffic, without negative impact on the mean service time of voice packets. Furthermore, the proposed design can guarantee both bandwidth and cost efficiency.