Bridging the Digital Divide Gap: Next-G Approach Towards Connecting the Unconnected

Overview

In the contemporary era of digital transformation, internet connectivity stands as a cornerstone essential for societal progress, economic prosperity, healthcare advancements, and educational enrichment. Despite the widespread integration of high-speed 5G and beyond into urban landscapes, the digital divide persists, notably affecting remote and rural regions, impeding the realization of comprehensive connectivity. This doctoral dissertation embarks on a comprehensive exploration that delves into the nuanced implications and constraints surrounding the potential of next-generation (Next-G) technologies to ameliorate connectivity challenges in these underserved areas. The endeavor to connect the unconnected in remote locales is fraught with diverse and intricate limitations. These encompass economic viability, technical feasibility, energy requirements, regulatory impediments, interference complexities, infrastructure hurdles, digital literacy, security and privacy concerns, social acceptability, environmental ramifications, and socioeconomic inequalities. Each facet of these constraints poses distinctive challenges that demand a judicious and inventive approach for effective mitigation, thereby facilitating the bridging of the digital divide. This proposal seeks to explore various configurations envisioned as potential Next-G solutions tailored for rural, remote, and maritime areas. One such approach involves the implementation of a hybrid free-space optics (FSO) and radio frequency (RF) communication system, specifically designed to address high-speed backhauling requirements. Additionally, the proposal considers the utilization of lower bands, exemplified by TV White Space (TVWS), offering extended coverage over larger geographical areas while maintaining reasonable data rates. Emphasizing alignment with KAUST's vision, the dissertation aims to expedite the translation of research outcomes into tangible real-world applications, thereby contributing to societal betterment.