The UNNE Rural Telecommunications R&D Program at a Glance
The School of Engineering of Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (Northeastern University-UNNE) established in 1956 is located in Resistencia (Argentina) in the heart of the Mercosur countries, 1.000 Km. north from Buenos Aires and near to Brazil and Paraguay borders. UNNE is a federal, inland university with about 40,000 students.
In 1991, a long-term R&D Program was proposed to study on advanced, strategic issues of rural networks. Earlier activities on this field had started in 1988 in Mexico, in cooperation with IMC-Instituto Mexicano de Comunicaciones- and sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS). Born in the cradle of the main regional development needs, since 1994 the program acquired an international, worldwide scope as reflecting the recommendations of
ITU-D and other organizations.The Rural Telecommunications Group (GTR-UNNE) founded in 1992 is a small unit committed to carry out research, teaching and extension activities on RT issues by sharing efforts with private partners, universities, R&D centers and international organizations. GTR addresses technical, economic and planning problems aiming to help rural communities to get access to modern IT resources and to devise new ways to speed up the expansion of rural networks worldwide. The group holds a large database supporting operations like trend analysis and forecasts, demand studies in rural areas and specialized surveying.
A new approach to rural telecommunications
Rather than any particular technology, GTR explored on new criteria in the evolution of rural networks, like the concept of unrestricted expansion or massive expansion (1994). Case studies involving rural demand behavior, socioeconomic impact, tariff reforms and experiences on the introduction of IT services in rural zones were carried out in pilot areas of Latin America. The R&D program is not oriented to the design of equipment or software, but to the optimal selection and application of advanced technologies in rural areas, like digital cellular and LEOS platforms, last mile systems, wireless data transmission and optical links. The program has addressed not only expansion strategies but also operations and insertion problems of IT networks within rural environments.
International cooperation
GTR is seeking private partners wishing to promote advanced studies, training & research on rural telecommunications on a fully-independent, worldwide basis. We offer a reliable, experienced team committed to devise innovative ideas, planning and evaluation criteria and to test prospective technologies or new applications suitable for rural networks everywhere. GTR is offering qualified educational services covering specialized training, courses, roundtables and on-site seminars. Extension courses are currently brought to service providers, union labors and other institutions.
Open to international cooperation as an effective way to help rural communities, the group is used to share efforts with universities, R&D foundations, international organizations and the private sector. GTR is operating under a non-profit policy, aiming just to enable the continuation of R&D plans in such activities dependent on external support. Sponsoring initiatives and third-party collaboration arrangements are fully welcome.*