All-IP Interconnectivity, All-Services Operation

1　 Background

With a long history, ETC (Ethiopia Telecom Corporation) set up in 1894 is one of the earliest state-owned companies in Ethiopia. As an integrated carrier with GSM/DCMA/PSTN networks at the same time, ETC currently has got over 1.1 million mobile phone subscribers, 800 thousand fixed phone subscribers and 30 thousand Internet users. So compared with the total population which is up to over 70 million, the future development space of ETC is huge.

As per the traditional calendar of Ethiopia, September 12th 2007 is the Millennium of Ethiopia. To ease the pressure caused by newly increased over 500 thousand users coming back from other countries during the festival, and eliminate the congestion in its exiting network, ETC after careful evaluation decided to cooperate with ZTE exclusively to make its Millennium solution.

2　 ZTE Solutions

After signing the contract at the end of April 2007, ZTE accelerates the overall network construction by speeding up test procedure, project process, version scheduling, and attribute analysis. With all its effort in the whole project, ZTE conquered a lot of difficulties in the construction, for example short duration, horrible monsoon which brings troubles to construction, and risks in system cutover, and finally ZTE finished the project in high quality on time. The prime minister of Ethiopia said: “ZTE created a unique miracle in Ethiopia telecommunication history.”

With 2G/3G hybrid network, Ethiopia Millennium project on one hand decreases the capacity pressure by avoiding the congestion in the existing GSM network, on the other hand, it brings in 3G service which provides both the local and emigrated high-end users with advanced HSPA service; in addition, it realizes the interconnectivity of GSM/WCDMA/CDMA/NGN networks over IP, and settles solid foundation to future network integration and development.

On September 16th 2007, good news came back from ETC: ETC network worked evenly with peak traffic during Ethiopia Millennium! Starting from September 10th , the traffic of ETC network kept increasing from 9000Erl per hour to the peak point 14000Erl in the night of September 12th , and the national network of ETC runs perfectly! To 6.00 pm September 13th , the traffic of the capital city of Ethiopia returned to normal, which shows ETC network successfully been tested by the busy traffic in Millennium. Currently, with extensive praise in ETC, the whole network works well, and all the performances are better than before. Besides, during Millennium, there are nearly 90 thousand new GSM users in only 4 days.

ZTE Solution Highlights:

2/3G hybrid networking

●  Industry-leading All-IP networking，All-IP interconnectivity

●  To assure network security, MSCS uses N+1 disaster tolerance manner, HLR and GGSN adopts 1+1 active/standby disaster tolerance manner respectively

●  Fast response to client's requirements and outstanding capability in carrying out project

3　 ETC Customer Benefits

●  Provide smooth services with peak traffic in Millennium

●  Provide 3G service to both local and emigrated Ethiopians

●  All-IP interconnectivity and All-IP operation service create a future-oriented creative environment integrating network and service, and realize the maximum value of mobile network

4　 Customer Quote

"Finally, ZTE’s real strength enabled us to become partners. ETC understands ZTE as a quick response provider and almighty problem conqueror. After cooperating with ZTE for 5 years, now we are working like one company."　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　——Amare Amsalu,CEO of ETC