Cost comparison of wireline and wireless access for the public switched telephone network (PSTN)

The access network has been considered to be the most costly part of the public switched telephone network. Traditionally, the subscriber lines have been based on copper wireline. Today, however, wireless technologies, e.g. cellular radio, can be used for this purpose as well. A cost comparison is made between the wireline and wireless access in order to find out the most feasible way to build new fixed subscriber lines. The comparison is based on a cost modelling study made by Nokia and Telecom Finland for the World Bank. The network alternatives were modeled on a study area which consisted of eight subareas each-having different characteristics. The investment costs covered the following equipment costs: exchange and the associated remote site equipment (concentrators, multiplexers and radio base stations), transmission equipment, infrastructure for equipment sites (including buildings, radio masts and antennas), and in-house cabling.