5. Data Services Definition
A minimum speed of 128 kbps is considered necessary to deliver dedicated broadband access to Rural Town users. Larger towns will need more capacity, and expectations will grow with time. Backbone networks need to allow for this.
The data services required to be delivered to Rural Town users were defined to have the capability to provide symmetrical dedicated access (always on) at a minimum speed of 128 kbps. This is greater than the maximum "dial up" speed of 56 kbps (less in practice on long local loops), and the 64 kbps data rate provided by the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) with simultaneous voice transmission.
A rate of 128 kbps will allow a basic form of "broadband" access, in the context of the feasibility of reaching the smaller and more remote Rural Towns. If a "community e-centre" were established at the access point it would enable a number of users to share the facility and network access. In this scenario higher data rates may be required to cope with the traffic and allow access to be shared over several users at a time. Access to the broadband network by individual users in different locations would be possible at higher cost and need more than the minimum capacity.
More realistically over the next 3 - 4 years the users will be looking for data speeds 2 - 3 times the basic starting rate of 128 kbps. "Customers" accessing the Internet and making file transfers will expect data rates of 256 - 384 kbps. This could increase to 512 kbps as their requirements grow with time.
Aggregated network capacity needs will grow where a number of "customers" are in any Rural or Small Urban Town. Any backbone network capacity or capability provided should be sized to allow for growth, and not constrain the user rates.
In urban communities higher speeds are possible on the local loops to the business and residential customers, at lower cost.
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