The Wireless Revolution and Nepal And Other Observations by an American-Grown Nepali

1. The Wireless Revolution and NepalAnd Other Observations by an American-Grown Nepali Suresh P. Ojha Spojha2000@yahoo.com

2. Overview • Wireless Revolution and Nepal • Need for Global Networking Amongst Nepalis • Need for ICT Academic Collaboration in Nepal • Suggestions for HMG and Local Nepalis

3. Advent of Wireless Revolution GPS Mobile Communication Computing Power Internet Wireless Revolution

4. Wireless Revolution • The convergence of mobile communications, computing power, & the Internet has given rise to the new products, applications, and global economic benefits collectively known as the Wireless Revolution • GPS - Global Positioning System - adds a new dynamic to the wireless revolution: services can now be linked to a precise location GPS satellites in synchronous orbit with Earth

5. Wireless Advantage • Wireless Less Costly and Easier than Wireline to: • Implement • Maintain • Expand • Traditional Home Telephony in US and Nepal impacted by wireless • LMDS • WLL • “Fiber to the Curb” of the Information Superhighway in the US is still in Limbo

6. Wireless In Nepal • Wireless systems superior to Fixed-line in following ways: • Less costly and easier to install, especially in mountainous regions. • More easily Expanded • Are not subject to Transmission Line theft

7. Wireless In Nepal • Wireless is the “Missing Link” in Nepal IT • Multiple reasons why • Wireless Expertise is expensive • Wireless products are tricky to design/manufacture • Easier to pay a high overhead for expertise and products

8. What is RF and Microwave Engineering? • The Bridge over which ALL Wireless Traffic Crosses • The Very Foundation of all wireless Systems • RF & u-Wave engineering is the study of High Frequency circuits and systems which among other things are used in all forms of wireless communications.

9. Opportunities for Nepali Economy • Soon There Will be More Global Communications through Wireless than Wireline • Wireless is a HUGE part of Global Economy • European Wireless Market will be worth $160 Billion dollars (US) in 2010 • “Wireless businesses today are 10% of what they are going to be in the next 20 years. There is a phenomenal upside within the wireless environment” - Edward Evans, president & COO, Dobson Communications Corp

10. Opportunities For Nepali Economy • There will be a large global demand well into the long-term future for cheap wireless gadgets • Nepal has one of the lowest labor rates in the world • Nepal is located to two of the largest markets in the world • China • India

11. Some Projections: • Nepal has ~24 Million People • In the Future, we should expect at least 2-3 Million Cell Phones • There are 1 Billion Cell Phones in the World • By 2006 there will be 1.5 Billion

12. New Course Offered at IOE of TU • A Hands-On Course on RF and Microwave Circuit and Systems Design • A World Class Teaching Laboratory Donated by Agilent Technologies • Students to Design, Build, Test and Measure: • RF Impedance Transformers • RF Filters • RF Amplifiers • RF Oscillators

13. Silicon Valley Involvement in this Program • Agilent Technologies Donated Has Donated a World Class Laboratory • 10 Seats of Advanced Design System (ADS) • 20 GHz Vector Network Analyzers • 14GHz Spectrum Analyzers • Two Digital Vector Modulation Signal Sources • Much Much More!!!! • Academic Involvement • Professor Dr. Rick Branner of UC Davis • Dr. Amarpal Khanna • Dr. Purna Subedi

14. Need for Global Nepali Networking • The Brain Drain is Natural in Nepal • Need a Policy of Brain Reclaim • NRNs and RNs Must Network Closely Because ICT Development approaches from Foreign Gov’ts and Agencies have several Drawbacks

15. Drawbacks of Foreign Gov’t and Agency ICT Aid • Lacks Integrated Approach • Can Lack Continuity and Coordination • -Budget Shortfalls Etc. • In many cases only 2-3 months long • -This is not long enough for cutting edge technologies • -Means Newest Technologies Will Arrive in Nepal Only After a Few Years

16. NRNs Have: • Tremendous Brain Power • Contacts with Leading Research Universities Throughout the World • Contacts with Leading ICT Companies Throughout the World • Great Desire to Help Nepal, Many ICT Support Organizations Already Exist • Ability with Some Coordination, to Support Long Term Integrated Projects!!!

17. Resident Nepalis Have: • Keen Knowledge of the state of ICT Penetration in Nepal • Keen Knowledge of ICT Outsourcing Capabilities • Ability to Swiftly Navigate the Tremendous Red Tape in Nepal

18. Announcing the EICT Journalwww.eictj.org • Tremendous Asset that will allow Nepalis, NRNs, and others to • Discuss Latest Technologies Helpful to Nepal • Understand ICT Needs and Capabilities in Nepal at Any One Time • Develop Synergies and Eliminate Duplication • Receive a periodic snapshot of ICT development efforts and issues at any given time

19. Need for Academic Collaboration in NepalIOE of TU and KU • Both the Institute of Engineering (IOE) at TU and Kathmandu University (KU) are Outstanding Organizations • Both Have Strengths Other Cannot Duplicate • The ICT Departments of Both Should Work Together for Most Efficient Development of ICT in Nepal

20. Case for Academic Collaboration in Nepal • Sharing Resources (Journals, Lab Facilities Etc.) Can Overcome Budget and Resource Limitations. • ICT is too Broad and Changes too Quickly for One Organization with a Limited Budget to Cover effectively • It is not Advisable to Expand Affiliation with Smaller Schools at this time (Only IOE & KU)

21. How NRNs Can Help Academic Collaboration in Nepal • NRNs Can Help Collaboration by: • Encouraging Joint Donation of Instruments • Providing Funds for Joint Research Projects • NRNs and Others MUST NOT BELIEVE Simplistic Stereotypes About Either Institution, in Particular the IOE

22. Suggestions for HMG and Local Nepalis • Streamline NRN Visa Process • Keep website postings w.r.t. Visa Process Current • Make University Donation Processes more Efficient and visible (websites etc.) • Be Proactive about rare opportunities for NRN involvement in critical areas

23. Acknowledgements • Agilent Technologies • Dr. Rick Branner UC Davis • Institute of Engineering at Tribhuvan University • Mr. Arun Timalsinna Director of MS Program • CAN • My Wonderful Students!