Hello Online World!
Researchers from the Department of Science and Technology- Advanced Science and Technology Institute are bridging the digital divide for Filipinos in rural areas by connecting them to the online world.
Through the project Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal or Project REIINN, rural areas will be connected to the online world through community cellular networks (CCNs).
CCNs are community-operated, small-scale network infrastructure which provide local connectivity needs. It is gaining traction as an emerging alternative strategy in addressing the connectivity gap, by utilizing a “bottom-up” approach in providing connectivity to unserved, underserved, and geographically disadvantaged areas.
Project REIINN builds upon the gains of the Village Base Station project (VBTS), which pioneered the deployment of CCNs in the Philippines. The VBTS project provided voice and SMS communication services using 2G GSM cellular technology in seven rural areas in the province of Aurora. To provide an appropriate technology in response to the need for data and internet access, The LokaLTE (“Local LTE”) team of Project REINN will be conducting trial deployments of locally developed LTE cell sites in two rural areas in the Philippines. This deployment will be the first LTE community network in the country and will allow researchers to study how the introduction of internet services through LTE impact service provision and subscriber behavior, among others.
Another team from Project REIINN, the RuralCasting team, is focused on exploring the datacasting feature of ISDB-T, the Digital TV standard adopted by the Philippines, to enrich the remote learning experience of students. Through datacasting-capable Digital TV receivers, educational materials could be delivered to students residing in areas with weak internet infrastructure. LokaLTE and RuralCasting complement each other to provide a way for Filipinos to be better equipped in facing the challenges of the New Normal.
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit sees REIINN as a significant step towards achieving connectivity within hard-to-reach areas such as in the provinces. He called on other agencies to support this initiative that intends to enhance these areas’ internet connectivity and bridging the digital divide.
“Project REIINN is a prime example of what innovation can do for the people and we will continue in supporting science-based solutions,” Paringit said.
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