Edward Mutafungwa
Communications Laboratory, Helsinki University of Technology

About the author.
Edward Mutafungwa is a researcher with the Communications Laboratory of the Helsinki University of Technology (HUT), Finland. He has consulted, taught and conducted industry seminars in the field of optical communications. His current research interests focuses on the area of optical transport and access networks.

Abstract.
The widespread demand for telecommunication services is creating a need to provide broadband access to business and residential customers in all environments, including those of the developing countries. Optical wireless local loops (OWLL) based on infrared wireless communication links, are class of wireless access networks capable of delivering the type of high-bandwidth services that are becoming increasingly necessary for the aforementioned customers. By combining the use of advanced optical transmission techniques with the flexibility of wireless communication systems, we describe the possibilities that are created by utilizing this technology in the access network. The telecommunications landscape of Tanzania is reviewed and the need for broadband service provision is identified. Moreover, possible implementation options for deploying OWLL systems and a performance analysis of a typical OWLL link are also presented. A comparison with the other wireless-based access technologies is discussed, whereby the competitiveness of the proposed system is further illustrated.

TANZANET Journal - Vol. 1 No. 2