Supporting rural telecommunications: A compromise solutions approach

Rural telecommunication networks can foster the development of needed infrastructures for rural residents in an economically viable way. Thanks to emerging broadband fiber optics technology, rural telecommunications can be established via hub cities that function as service centers for neighboring smaller rural areas. Determining hub locations typically requires trade-offs among conflicting criteria. Policy makers typically set their goals as target values. The main aim of this paper is to present a zero—one compromise programming model that reflects such policy makers' target-setting behavior under a multiple criteria environment. A case in which the model is applied to the location of hub telecommunication centers in an American state further illustrates the applicability of the method.