3. Rural Telecommunications Networks

The configuration of Mongolian rural systems consists of remote subscriber units (without a stand-alone feature) and small independent exchanges. The exchanges are connected to the national network via centres where there is facility of billing and centralized operation and maintenance. Small capacity switches, networks of open wire lines (12 channels) and HF radio systems provide telephone services to the rural areas.

The main problems are that most of the equipment in the network is analog and has been in operation since the 1970's and early 1980's. The installed base has become obsolete and inadequate for providing comprehensive telecommunications services and will not meet the requirements for transition to a market-oriented economy.

To introduce new and appropriate technologies in rural areas, site surveys were done of Tuv Selenge, Khentii, Sukhbaatar, Dornod, and Dornogovi province centers and a total of 101 villages and 297 bugs (small units) in 1997. During the site surveys, analyses of socio-economic conditions, traffic demand and the existing telecom network were carried out.

We are planning to implement projects for the rehabilitation and extension of the central, western, southern and eastern telecommunications network (KFW Telecommunication II and III) by the year 2000. According to Telecom II and III, we plan to install rural communications systems suitable for our network such as point-to-multipoint (PMP) radio systems and multi-access lines providing voice, data, and leased lines.

We will select systems from among technologies such as VSAT, PMP multi-access radio system (MARS), microwave access link (small capacity microwave radio with capacity of 2 Mbps or 2x2 Mbps), radio multiplex, WLL, F/O system, UHF/VHF radio system, etc. In addition we are planning to install TDMA-WLL, PABX, RSU and payphones for the Telecom II and III projects.

In order to initiate the rural communication project we have begun to study the above-mentioned systems. In the future, telemedicine and tele-education services shall also be introduced in rural areas as well as LEO and MEO satellite communications.