Communications Options
If you are planning communications for an area with questionable communications infrastructure, start by asking these questions:
- What types of communication services are available in that area?
- What types of communications will you need? (voice, e-mail, fax, high speed for Internet or video conferencing).
Follow these steps to help determine your best communications options:
Are there reliable telephone lines?
Communication over telephone lines is usually your least expensive option when and where it can be achieved. The easiest way to check on the availability of reliable phone service is to talk with others working in that area. Find out if the lines are reliable, how frequently they experience lapses of service and what data rates the lines can typically support. Of course, if you cannot reach anyone there by phone, the phone lines are probably suspect!
If your region of service has reliable telephone lines, then look at long distance services to find the best rates.
For information on how to save money on overseas long distance charges, see:
Mission-Com: find low-cost long-distance, discount international calling, and other telecommunications services.
Net2Phone: place phone calls over the Internet and save money.
Are there Internet Service Providers (ISP)s in your region of service?
If the phone lines are fairly reliable, check into the availability of Internet service.
Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC) - The most comprehensive collection of practical and general information on Internet connectivity and networking in developing countries. Choose a country by name or from the clickable map to get connectivity providers, and more.
Search for ISP's by Country - Use a clickable image world map to access ISP data for a particular country.
Is cellular service available in your area?
Cellular service areas are rapidly expanding worldwide. In fact there are very few areas in or near a major city in the world that does not have some form of Cellular phone service. Many cell phones also include data services.
Check out the following site for information about global cellular coverage (search by country):
GSM Cellular News, Coverage Maps and Network Details.
Other wireless options including HF Radio and Satellite:
The chart below gives a brief thumbnail comparison of the various wireless service types.
|
Wireless Option
|
Initial Hardware Cost
|
Ongoing Service Fees
|
Maintenance Time/Costs
|
Data Speeds
|
Complexity to setup/use
|
Convenience
|
Availability in all areas
|
|
HF Radio
|
High
|
Very Low
|
Moderate
|
Very Low
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
|
Microwave and other line of sight Radio
|
High
|
Moderate to High
|
High
|
High
|
High
|
High
|
Low
|
|
Microsat Store and Forward Satellite data
|
High
|
Very Low
|
Low
|
Very Low
|
Low
|
Low
|
Moderate
|
|
Portable Satellite Phones
|
High
|
High
|
Low
|
Low
|
Very Low
|
Low
|
Very High
|
|
Mobile ISDN (M4)
|
Very High
|
Very High
|
Low
|
High
|
Low
|
High
|
Very High
|
|
VSAT
|
Very High
|
High
|
Moderate
|
Very High
|
Moderate
|
High
|
High
|
|
Satellite Internet Providers
|
High
|
High
|
Moderate
|
High
|
Moderate
|
High
|
Low
|
|
