Design of a wireless mesh network for rural broadband connectivity in Uganda

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence and many others have brought significant benefits and opportunities to those who have access to them as they are used in a variety of applications and services like education, health business and communication. The lack of equal access to broadband connectivity which is prominent in the rural areas of Uganda causes a digital divide. This project looks at the design of a Wireless Mesh network (WMN) that can be implemented to extend access to broadband connectivity that is reliable and affordable to rural areas and therefore narrowing the digital divide. The methodology consisted of site studies, designing and simulation of the WMN using different software. The WMN was then validated by redesigning and simulating the existing star network and comparing the performance of the two with standard key performance indicators. The WMN had better data rates, less numbers packets dropped in comparison with the star network. The results indicated that WMNs present a reliable solution for rural connectivity in Uganda.