|
MTC Namibia invest N$17 million in satellite technology |
|
|
|
Written by Staff Reporters
|
|
MTC has awarded Advanced Telecoms, a leading provider of solutions for mobile applications and infrastructure, a contract to implement GSM backhaul using an iDirect DAMA hub with NMS Communications’ AccessGate A-bis optimisation equipment, to cost effectively support the rapid growth of its mobile subscriber base.
Advanced Telecoms will be supported by SatCom, a leading Namibian satellite implementation company.
Namibia is experiencing enormous mobile subscriber growth. This system will use demand assigned technology to optimise MTC’s A-bis backhaul links over VSAT, in order to support more users on less spectrum, increasing both revenues and profits. Advanced Telecoms is providing design, installation and support services for the MTC Namibia deployment.
“Cost effective deployment of mobile services is extremely important in Namibia, as is the ability for us to provide a quality, affordable offering to our customers,” said Jochen Traut, General Manager: Operations at MTC. “Advanced Telecoms provides us with a future-proof solution that allows us to rapidly deploy base station equipment in our network for the communication needs of today, while significantly reducing operational costs and preparing for tomorrow’s new services.”
“The use of demand-assigned systems to optimize the efficiency of satellite spectrum is a new direction in A-bis backhaul with significant promise to reduce the operational cost per subscriber. This will enable the cost-effective extension of the network past the edge of what was previously thought to be economically viable.” said Ron Lewington, Director of Engineering, Advanced Telecoms. “We look forward to a long partnership with MTC Namibia as we continue to help them manage expenses as their subscriber base grows.”
The hub will be in Windhoek (9m dish) on C-Band and the terminals will be deployed country-wide in rural areas - this thus enables MTC to expand its coverage into rural areas.
The total cost for the project is about N$17 million. The first phase of the project was completed by end of November 2006 to cater for about 15 new sites and the rest will be ready by the end of February 2007.
|
