C3 Limited is deploying a nationwide network in Malawi, comprising multiple phases with a total of 88 core nodes, 80 wi-far base stations, and 15,000 wi-fi access points to enhance internet connectivity. The technology utilizes Wi-far, adhering to IEEE 802.22 standards, which supports non-line-of-sight connectivity and offers significant coverage advantages over traditional technologies. The implementation plan includes strategic channel allocation to prevent interference and optimize coverage across the rural and underserved areas of Malawi.

1. CONNECTIVITY FOR THE REST TO US – CASE FOR TVWS
C3 Limited
Postal Address: P.O. Box 31000, Blantyre 3, Malawi
Physical Address: MPC Business Park, Chichiri
E-Mail: info@c3.mw

2. TABLEOFCONTENTS
Introduction
Overview
Television White Spaces
Topologies and Configurations
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
11
12
13
14
16
Channel Planning 15
Table of Contents
17
Communication Technologies Used by ISP’s in Malawi
Unique Benefits of Wi-FAR
Coverage of Wi-FAR Radios
Point to MultiPoint – Three Sector
Point to MultiPoint – Two Sector (Dual BTS)
Wi-Fi Hotspot Use Case
Network Relay (Layer 2)
Channel Re-Use
Network Channel Planning
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

3. 1 – INTRODUCTION

4. PHASE1–4C3NETWORKINFRASTRUCTUREBUILD
Overview
C3 is in the process of deploying a nationwide network in
four phases. On completion, the network will comprise
88 core nodes with 1.24 Gbps, 80 Wi-FAR base stations
with a total of 100 sectors and 30 Mbps per sector, 3,000
Wi-FAR client nodes and 15,000 Wi-Fi access points.
 Phase 1: Mtengo, Mpingwe Hill, Lirangwe, Govati, Ntcheu,
Dedza, Lilongwe, Mponela, Kasungu, Jenda, Chikangawa,
Mzuzu, Ekwendeni, Rumphi, Livingstonia, Chilumba,
Karonga, Zomba, Mangochi, Nkopola, Monkey Bay, Salima,
Benga, Nkhotakota, Dwangwa, Likoma, Nkhata Bay, Chileka,
Mwanza, Balaka, Liwonde, Mimosa, Kapirinsundwe, Mchinji,
Nchalo, Tengani, Mtakisi, Songwe
 Phase 2: Dowa, KIA, Blantyre, Chipata, Chisasu, Chitipa,
Senga Bay, Mzimba, Ntchisi, Neno
 Phase 3: Milange (MZ), Luchenza, Madisi, Chipoka, Mua,
Kasinje, Chiradzulu, Phalombe, Ngabu, Bangula, Zalewa,
Malekano, Namwera, Mandimba (MZ), Chintheche,
Nathenje, Bolero, Kapichira, Sandama
 Phase 4: Kanengo, Nkula, Nsanje, Marka, Chadzunda, Ntaja,
Lizulu, Nkhoma, Nayuchi, Domasi, Embangweni, Mchenga,
Chisenga, Chatoloma, Chisinga, Mtakataka, Katumbi,
Malindi, Thekerani, Kayelekera
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

5. COMMUNICATIONTECHNOLOGIESUSEDBYISPINMALAWI
Communication Technologies used by ISPs in Malawi
ISP Core network Distribution network Access network
Airtel Microwave, fibre Microwave 2G, 3G, some 4G, Wi-Fi
TNM Business
Services
Microwave, fibre Microwave 2G, 3G, some 4G, Wi-Fi
MTL Microwave, fibre Microwave CDMA, WiMAX, Wi-Fi
Access Microwave Microwave CDMA
Skyband Microwave Microwave WiMAX, Wi-Fi
Globe Microwave Microwave, fibre WiMAX, Wi-Fi
Malswitch Microwave Microwave Microwave
C3 Microwave Wi-FAR Wi-Fi
MalawiNet None None None
Datacom None Microwave Wi-Fi
Computer
Automation
None Microwave Wi-Fi
Teltech Microwave Microwave Wi-Fi
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

6. TELEVISION WHITE SPACES (TVWS)

7. Unique Benefits of Wi-Far Technology
For its distribution network, C3 employs equipment that adheres to the
international IEEE 802.22 standard, also called Wi-FAR.
Wi-FAR provides Point-to Multi-Point (PtMP) and Point-to-Point (PtP) Middle-Mile
Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) for regional, rural and remote areas under Line of
Sight (LoS) and Non Line of Sight (NLoS) conditions.
The 802.22 specification uses advanced spectrum sharing technology and ensures
that no harmful interference is caused to the primary TV services in those bands.
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

8. Unique Benefits of Wi-Far Technology
NLoS, PtMP and the capability to penetrate through walls and trees sets Wi-FAR
technology apart from competing technologies using higher radio frequency bands.
Wi-FAR adds cognitive radio technology to a simple and optimised time division
duplex (TDD) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) waveform,
similar to the OFDMA technology used in other broadband standards such as
WiMAX and LTE.
Each Wi-FAR cell provides up to 30 Mbps of aggregated throughput per 8 MHz
channel using modulations ranging from 64QM, 16QAM to BPSK. Typical distances
covered range from 10 km up to 30 km depending on topology.
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

9. Coverage of Wi-FAR radios
Coverage with 5 GHz ISM radios Coverage with 470 MHz Wi-FAR radios
28 channels of 8 MHz are available in the RF band between 470 and 694 MHz. Most
of them are not used for TV channels. 30 Mbps can be transmitted through a single 8
MHz channel, and C3’s Wi-FAR base stations will have 2-3 sectors of 2 x 8 MHz each.
Thanks to the low radio frequency, coverage is much larger than with higher
frequencies. Below is a comparison between coverage in 470 MHz versus 5 GHz.
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

10. TOPOLOGIES AND CONFIGURATIONS

11. POINTTOMULTIPOINT3SECTORCONFIGURATION
TOPOLOGY
TVWS CPE connects to an external Wifi router
A
B
C
A
B
C
Point to Multi-Point
Non-LOS TVWS
over the air link
20 to 35 Mbps
per sector
From 1 to 3 TVWS Base Stations
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

12. POINTTOMULTIPOINT2RADIOSPERSECTOR
CONFIGURATION
TOPOLOGY
Point to Multi-Point
Non-LOS TVWS
over the air link
TVWS CPE connects to an external Wifi router
40 to 70 Mbps per
sector
A
A B C & D
B C D
Single-port
panel
antenna
Dual-port
panel
antenna
2 TVWS Base Stations/SECTOR
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

13. Wi-Fi HOTSPOT USE CASE
Non-LOS TVWS
over the air link
Outdoor Wi-Fi AP available from leading
Wi-Fi AP manufacturers can provide a Wi-
Fi signal range of up to 200m in some
instances
20 to 35 Mbps per
sector
Outdoor
Wi-Fi AP
ethernet
TVWS
CPE
Outdoor
Wi-Fi AP
ethernet
A
B
C
TVWS
CPE
A
B
C
3 x TVWS Base Station
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

14. LAYER2DISTRIBUTIONANDBASICCONFIGURATION
RELAY NETWORK (LAYER 2 DISTRIBUTION)
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

15. CHANNEL PLANNING

16. UHFCHANNELRE-USETYPICAL9-15UNIQUECHANNEL
CHANNEL RE-USE
Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5
Channel 6
Channel 7
Channel 8
Channel 9
Channel 10
Channel 11
Channel 12
• One UHF channel is used by each sector
• A UHF channel is re-used to prevent adjacent channel interference
• 3-Sector networks typically requires 9-15 unique channel re-use
• 15-25 Channels are available in a typical US rural market
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

17. UHFCHANNELRE-USEEXAMPLE3CLUSTER
CHANNEL RE-USE EXAMPLE
{15: 4, 9, 14}
{17: 3, 8, 13}
{18: 1, 6, 11}
{18: 5, 10, 15}
{20: 2, 7, 12}
{23: 4, 9, 14}
{21: 5, 10, 15}
{25: 3, 8, 13}
{29: 2, 7, 12}
{19: 1, 6, 11}
{18: 1, 6, 11}
{19: 4, 9, 14}
{Available UHF Channels, Ch1, Ch2, Ch 3}
• Example shows 15 unique UHF channel re-use across 3 clusters
• Re-use shown prevents coverage overlap between any two sectors on same channel
• Depending upon the distance between adjacent sites, up to 15 unique UHF channels are
required to enable a 3-sector grid like in this example

18. CENTRALANDPARTIALNORTHERNREGIONCOVERAGE
C3 TVWS COVERAGE PLAN (SNAP VIEW)
Internet Society 2nd Summit on Community Networks - Africa

19. THANK YOU
C3 Limited
Postal Address: P.O. Box 31000, Blantyre 3, Malawi
Physical Address: MPC Business Park, Chichiri
E-Mail: info@c3.mw