Issues Afftecting Network Availability

Question 1

Developed vs developing countries

Answer 1

Developing countries have far less networking infrastructure than developed countries but mobile and satellite technology is helping where cable networks cannot reach. This, however, can be expensive to use and many areas are still without mains electricity to power connections.

Question 2

Network Availability

Answer 2

In the UK, some rural areas have limited access to fibre broadband. Towns and cities have generally faster connections and can increasingly access fibre directly to the home. In the UK, most ‘fibre’ connections make use of fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) which has a copper connection from the home to the cabinet and then a fibre connection from the cabinet to the exchange.

Question 3

Mobile coverage

Answer 3

The cellular network divides the UK into cells with a mobile base station transmitter in each cell. A cell without a transmitter is likely to have no signal or a poor one from a neighbouring cell.

Question 4

Rural vs city locations

Answer 4

Cities and urban areas tend to have many more open networks available to use than rural areas. They can expect greater numbers of people to use the service so it is worth the set up and maintenance costs of providing it. This infrastructure is not always work the investment in rural areas. Many rural areas rely on the mobile phone network for their data connection. Commonly, they will use a 4G or 5G dongle.

Question 5

Mobile blackspots

Answer 5

Hills and large buildings can cast ‘shadows’ by absorbing radio signals, causing apparent mobile blackspots.