CDMA performance for rural telecommunication access

In this paper, we highlight the challenges, benefits and difficulties of extending the telecommunication infrastructure to rural areas. Technologies that can be implemented in rural areas are highlighted and the system that best suits rural areas is chosen. A cost comparison between GSM and CDMA is carried out, with path loss exponent, fade margin and penetration varied to determine the net return profit. In the simulation, the path loss exponent is varied between 5.3 and 7.2 and a maximum penetration rate of 50% is assumed over a period of 10 years. The simulations show that WCDMA is the best option in a rural area, especially with a path loss exponent greater than 4.2. Rural areas of Africa are known for their low penetration rate of about 30% and WCDMA is economically viable as compared to GSM