Overcoming the Digital Divide by Large-Scale Coverage Analyses for mmWave Cellular Networks

Traditional subscriber-density-focused cellular infrastructure deployment is failing to provide affordable, high-quality services in rural areas. This situation hinders, besides the improvement of quality of life, the development of digital agriculture and intelligent transportation systems. In addition, rural coverage maps reported by cellular providers are typically over-optimistic. Objective, quantitative analyses are needed for a full understanding of the digital divide. We propose utilizing high-precision LiDAR data and site-specific channel models to accomplish accurate LTE coverage simulations over large geographic areas. Measurements and simulations are also provided for millimeter wave (mmWave) communication to demonstrate the increasing coverage challenge in next-generation cellular networks. According to these results, without proper intervention, mmWave may further widen the digital divide. Potential cost-effective solutions are discussed to encourage more researchers to work on overcoming the rural coverage challenge.