Methodology for the assessment of emerging wireless and wireline telecommunications technologies

A number of wireless and wireline telecommunication technologies have been developed over the last two decades. Assessing these telecommunication technologies in the context of their areas of application means that more successful deployments of infrastructure and services are possible. This paper outlines a systematic and rigorous methodology for selecting the most appropriate technology for a particular telecommunications application. The assessment model developed in this paper attempts to strike a balance between technical, economic, environmental, social and political factors that are all significant in the design of a telecommunications system. Using a statistical model, the target application and context are assessed and then the model presents the best matching technology solutions for the given application. This methodology is of economic and social worth, allowing faster and more cost effective deployments that meet the specific needs of a market.