Adrian Wood
12 April 2004
opinion
One of the largely unknown difficulties facing our 350+ specialist NWG team, is that they are building not one network, but three networks simultaneously. All GSM operators worldwide design, construct and maintain the GSM network, made up of the base stations system and the core GSM voice and data switching infrastructure. That is normal.
However in Nigeria, NWG has two other massive engineering projects under its purview: constructing a nation-wide backbone transmission infrastructure, as well as a national electric power system.
The enormity of these two additional projects is difficult to imagine. But here are some facts to consider:
When the original 'Y'elloBahn' backbone was commissioned on 20th January 2003, It comprised 3,400 kilometers of STM- I capacity digital transmission microwave. STM- I is approximately 1,900 equivalent long-haul telephone trunk circuits. Within weeks it became apparent that four troublespots would necessitate re-engineering and upgrade. Then from July 2003, Y'elloBahn Phase 2 was commenced, which consists of quadrupling the most heavily congested links (such as Lagos-lbadan, Port HarcourtOnltsha) to 4 x STM- I (7,600 equIvalent trunks).
Where the quad-size Y'elloBahn has been installed, the original microwave radio equipment has been re-deployed along additional route kilometers. By now we have nearly 5,000 kilometers in service. Phase 2 will be completed mid-2004 when Y'elloBahn extends to 7,900 km of wideband digital highway.
That's more than the distance from Capetown to Cairo. An absolutely incredible feat in just two short years.
The third network is our Y'elloWatts' power system that keeps the whole MTN system at peak performance 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Each basestation is implemented with twin I 3.OKVAor I 5.OKVAgenerators and a large diesel tank. Expensive power management electronics are installed at every site, to provide clean electricity and protection for the highly sensitive basestation circuitry. In addition, larger energy centres are installed at the switch sites (we currently have 16 MScs in service, with 5 more currently being installed).
The Y'elloWatts grid produces over 15 megawatts per day, needs well over I million litres of diesel fuel per month and hundreds of tanker delivery runs. Bearing in mind that the MTN national system will in due course need 4,500 to 5,000 basestations, the build-out is now only about 15% complete. The investment and costs of maintaining constant power to the national network will be enormous.
We need to compliment all of Demola Eleso's engineering and support team, for the work done under such difficult conditions and extraordinary operational demands. Moreover, one important achievement needs to be recognised. MTN Nigeria has never had a total network blackout, from the day of commencing commercial services in early August 2001. Not only is this almost unheard of amongst GSM operations worldwide, but we are unique amongst competitors in the market with consistency of network availability. As an example, during the lkeja Cantonment explosions and shockwaves in early 2002, MTN was the only GSM network able to keep going, passing important emergency service messages and critical calls between officials and families.
As we think about NWG specialists out in the rainforests, on top of mountains, perched on high buildings, separated from their families and going for days and days at two hours sleep per night, we need to give consideration to the quality and scope of the large-scale Nigerian national asset that is being deployed, for immediate benefit and for generations to come. The positive effect on the entire country, the wholesale upgrade to local industry, increased employment opportunities, enhanced safety and security of ordinary citizens, fostering of new and better social and family relationships, and the steady improvement of public sector efficiency, is conspicuous.
Network Group has been a driving force to getting MTN to Number One telecommunications network in Nigeria. There is much more to be done to stay in pole position. Better, faster, bigger.
Adrian Wood is the CEO MTN Nigeria.
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