An ambitious project by a German research institute hopes to “connect the unconnected” in rural Africa. FOKUS NET4DC is taking innovative telecommunications technology to areas largely cut-off from the advances of the Internet or cell phones in the hopes of creating sustainable access to global networks and, ultimately, adding value to the population's day-to-day lives.

A loaf of bread is still baked in much the same way today as it has been for thousands of years. But an impoverished rural South African community has adopted a high-tech telecommunications twist to obtaining their daily crust: the SMS. In Sekhukhune, Limpopo (South Africa), bread is ordered by SMS from a centralised office, the bakery knows just the right amount to bake, and delivers to the client’s doorstep.
Enlarge image The FOKUS project has German technical experts working closely together with the local population. (© Fraunhofer Institute/FOKUS) It’s a perfect example of how linking up to our connected world has changed people’s lives. And that’s the kind of thinking that is driving efforts to get Africa connected.

For around three-fifths of Africa’s population, the Internet is just a dream. But that’s changing thanks to efforts such as a new German initiative based on an interconnected web of radio networks and innovative technology.

Launched in January 2010, the initiative arose out of the realisation that medical services, education and participation in the economy and politics is limited for billions of people living in rural areas with – at best – limited access to the Internet and regional communication infrastructure.

Called FOKUS NET4DC, it is driven by the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems (Fraunhofer FOKUS). The Berlin-based research facility studies and develops communication and information technologies. Its goal is the implementation – in partnership with local suppliers and businesses – of modern information and communication technologies to enable sustainable access to global communication networks.

Essentially, NET4DC aims to find practical, effective ways of getting Africa’s rural areas connected. Currently available technologies, such as mobile networks or Wi-Fi, are either too power-hungry or too sophisticated or often harsh rural environments.
Enlarge image The transfer of technological knowledge is important for the sustainability of the FOKUS project (© Fraunhofer Institute/FOKUS) Two African sites have been identified for trials – Macha, a rural district in the southwest of Zambia; and Sekhukhune.

One of the first projects was the connection of the Ubuntu Campus, a remote settlement near Macha in Zambia. Specialists used directional radio to connect this settlement to existing satellite technology in Macha. As a result, the local primary school was able to connect to an affordable WLAN network, as was the local water board.

To provide the infrastructure for this, FOKUS NET4DC worked hand-in-hand with a local firm whose interests include running a small Internet café. Alongside this service, which is now being extended to further regions in Zambia, there are also plans to connect small medical stations to the Internet to improve the provision of medical services.

Among these is Mabombo, about 40 km from Macha. It has a doctor and two nurses to cater for about 8 000 people – with neither running water nor electricity, limited transport connections, and no mobile communication.

The obstacles are huge – and chiefly environmental.  “Sekhukhune, for example, is surrounded by mountains; Macha is situated in a very flat area. Both areas face heavy summer rain falls and high humidity,” says NET4DC project leader Karl Jonas.

Distance between towns is another stumbling block. NET4DC’s aim is to develop communication technologies covering the distance from the rural areas to the closest broadband node – for example, to the nearest fibre optic cable.
Enlarge image A computer training in Chicanta, Zambia (© Fraunhofer Institute/FOKUS) Besides pure environmental challenges, there are technical, social, political and economical problems. “Visiting Macha and Sekhukhune, we learned, for example, that we have to train the people in the rural areas to enable them to maintain the communication infrastructure.”

In the long term, it is expected that local populations in these areas would actively use the opportunities offered by the various technological solutions. “Providing Internet connectivity will initiate business activities in rural areas. Entrepreneurs can be an organisation, smaller businesses or just one person,” Jonas said.

“Once the locals have seen the benefits coming with ICTs and value adding to their day-to-day life, further activities will be rolled out without additional effort from our side.”

For more information about FOKUS NET4DC