Rural, solar-powered site with satellite transmission in Cambodia

[RadioRaiders]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/mar...ar/-1648422946

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, Aug 21, 2008 - For the first time, Ericsson has combined a GSM base station and satellite transmission in a solar-powered site, enabling Cambodian mobile operator Star-Cell to expand its network coverage in remote areas. The solution offers affordable communications for all and is based on Ericsson's energy-optimized main-remote base-station.

The satellite transmission feature provides affordable mobile-network coverage in remote areas where other transmission solutions are unavailable. This is vital for bridging the digital divide, as about 80 percent of the Cambodian population lives outside the main urban centers.

The GSM main-remote solution has a lower environmental impact than standard base stations, consuming up to 50 percent less energy, and helps lower total cost of ownership by reducing operating costs.

Star-Cell has selected Ericsson's solution to expand network coverage and introduce EDGE-based applications to enable mobile health and educational services for rural communities.

[shango]

We have a mostly solar powered analog extender site that covers Death Valley National Park. I guess digital requires a ton of power for all the processing 'computer' equipment, thats why its still analog. Its kinda hard to have an all solar site where it snows and this one as at 10,000 feet.

It would be nice to see more of these as batterys and solar gets better.

[Ddeere2]

That's awesome how its way out there and they're getting cell coverage. Its still awesome that you have a cell site operating at that altitude. But with processors becoming so advanced, you knew it was bound to happen.

[TheNasaWildman]

That looks pretty cool. I wish other wireless carriers would consider this along the Gulf Coastal Region as a backup along with their current generators for an add'l backup during Hurricane season..

[RadioRaiders]

Originally Posted by shango

We have a mostly solar powered analog extender site that covers Death Valley National Park. I guess digital requires a ton of power for all the processing 'computer' equipment, thats why its still analog.

Altho todays base-stations are more powerful, they have also gotten much more energy efficient. A new 3G base-station is something like 80% more energy efficient than a 10 year old analog one. And with special solutions (like Ericsson's "main-remote" used here) the energy use is optimized even further.

Originally Posted by TheNasaWildman

I wish other wireless carriers would consider this along the Gulf Coastal Region as a backup along with their current generators for an add'l backup during Hurricane season..

Not sure about the mechanical engineering, but those solar panels would have to be bolted down real good to keep a hurricane wind from ripping them up, I guess

Anyway, the idea of this site in Cambodia, is that it is fully self sustaining. Usually sites need to be located near an electric grid for power. And then need to have backhaul to the switch via fixed-line or be in range of another site for microwave transmission (like ~30 miles and Line of Sight). This one you can throw anywhere. Something not done too often (or ever!)

[bobolito]

haha!... Who said that GSM doesn't use satellites?