Rural Communications Workstream

Rural connectivity will open new opportunities for the communities and will lead to improvement in their quality of life. Internet connectivity will provide people with more options to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Information on healthcare, agriculture, education, employment opportunities, etc. can be accessed by the people through the internet. COVID-19 reinforces the need for affordable connectivity and this effort focuses on the challenges, opportunities and solution in providing sustainable, reliable and affordable connectivity to rural areas.

The goal of the workstream is to provide connectivity to the unconnected and under connected region of the world. Some of the activities and standards this practice is working on are efforts to move the bar to this end.

IEEE P2030.10™ IEEE Draft Standard for DC Microgrids for Rural and Remote Electricity Access Applications

This standard covers the design and operation of a DC microgrid for rural or remote applications based on extra low voltage DC to reduce cost, simplify stability, and to be safer than grids using typical AC voltages.

Learn More About IEEE P2030.10™

IEEE P1941.1™ Recommended Practice for Internet Grades of Service in Rural Areas

This project will provide recommendations for Grades of Service offerings by internet service providers in rural areas.

Learn More About IEEE P1941.1™

User-Centered Approach to Designing a User Interface for Rural Communities

Bringing together experts and designers from across industries, this Industry Connections (IC) program aims to research the technology needs of global rural communities.

Learn More About User-Centered Approach to Designing a User Interface for Rural Communities

IC Rural Communications Activity

This Industry Connections program is intended to contribute toward the goal of global (including rural community) digital inclusion by developing solutions for rural and remote areas using suitable technologies.

Learn More About Rural Communications

Frugal 5G Working Group

Join the working group for Frugal 5G Working Group to help specify an architecture for an affordable wireless broadband communication network.

Learn More About Frugal 5G

Frugal 5G: Towards Affordable Rural Wireless Broadband

In the recent years, there has been a significant growth of cellular wireless communications. Despite this growth, a large part of the world is still deprived of broadband connectivity.

View the Frugal 5G Paper

Connecting the Unconnected: Toward Frugal 5G Network Architecture and Standardization

This article adopts a holistic approach to address the problem of poor broadband connectivity in rural areas by suggesting a novel wireless network architecture called “Frugal 5G Network.”

Learn More About Connecting the Unconnected

Options and Challenges in Providing Universal Access

The authors of the following white paper have identified five challenges in providing universal Internet access, positing potential solutions for each.

View the Options and Challenges in Providing Universal Access White Paper

Universal Broadband Service and the Pandemic

This article was originally published in the IEEE Communications Standards Magazine.

“Universal Service” has a long history as a goal for telecommunications networks.

Read About Universal Broadband Service and the Pandemic

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn about new developments, including resources, insights and more.