Deploying a Quality CDMA Network in 45 Days

The fast development of mobile communications technologies and the gradual market expansion have brought severe challenges to traditional fixed network operators. One of them is Romtelecom, the largest fixed network operator in Romania, which owns 30% of COSMOTE, Romania’s third largest mobile operator. Romtelecom is under indirect control of Deutsche Telekom. Under severe market competitions, its most urgent need is to obtain wireless spectrum resources, and deploy a wireless network to provide voice, high-speed data and rich value-added services, hence changing its disadvantageous situation.

In September 2008, Romtelecom acquired a license in the 410MHz band. According to the requirements of Romania’s telecom ministry, Romtelecom had to complete deploying the Phase I network before December 23, 2008, and the network should be compliant with EU specifications; otherwise, its license might be cancelled.

It might seem like “mission impossible”. However, ZTE created a miracle by fulfilling a turnkey project in 45 days, from signing the contract on Nov. 5, 2008 to the network acceptance on Dec. 19, 2008. With strenuous efforts, ZTE completed the incredible project four days ahead of the schedule, including the logistics, engineering survey, engineering design, site selection, network planning, equipment installation, commissioning and interconnection of the core network and 100 sites.

Five Challenges Faced by Romtelecom
Upon winning a 410MHz wireless license, Romtelecom faced five challenges.

■ The first and biggest challenge was to construct a high-quality CDMA 410MHz network, as the global CDMA 410MHz industry chain has not reached a certain scale, especially in terms of terminals.

■ The second challenge was to construct the 100-site CDMA network in less than two months. Excluding the tendering period, there were less than two months left between Sept. 9, 2008 when the license was awarded and Dec. 23, 2008 when the Phase I network was required to be commissioned. The tight schedule posed a stiff challenge for both Romtelecom and equipment suppliers.

■ The third challenge was to build a differentiated, stable and efficient network, in order to carve a niche in the relatively mature Romanian telecom market where global leading operators like Orange and Vodafone have stable wireless networks.

■ The fourth challenge was to provide professional PTT services. Romania’s telecom ministry requires that 410MHz spectrum is able to provide nationwide PTT services. Therefore, Romtelecom’s new wireless network should provide PTT services, in addition to 1x voice service, 1x data service, and EV-DO high-speed broadband service.

■ The fifth challenge was to meet the strict specifications of EU’s telecom organizations, including RoHS certification, CE certification, and EN certification.

To retain the wireless license for future development, Romtelecom was eager to find a powerful, reliable equipment and service provider.

Customized Solution
Romtelecom chose ZTE for this arduous mission, due to ZTE’s good understanding about the CDMA 410MHz network, industry-leading PTT solution and successful application experience, powerful engineering capability, and outstanding performance in Romania.

All-IP network architecture
IP-based network convergence is the trend for future network evolution. Based on four years of experience in CDMA2000 All-IP network application as well as continuous innovations, ZTE provides one-stop solution and quality service, helping the operator build a future-oriented network and deliver sustained profits. ZTE’s end-to-end CDMA2000 All-IP solution supports IP communications between Abis, Ap and core network elements and cuts the Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) and Operation Expenditures (OPEX) of network construction for the operator.

Full-service solution
ZTE’s CDMA full-service solution enables Romtelecom to deploy 1x voice, 1x data, EV-DO high-speed data and PTT services, allowing the operator to explore new market segments and improve network competitiveness. The enhanced differentiated network creates new room for profits, hence helping Romtelecom to edge out other competitors in the marketplace.

Fast Engineering and Deployment
On October 18, 2008, Romtelecom and ZTE reached an agreement for the cooperation intent; on November 5, 2008, Romtelecom placed the first PO with ZTE; on November 11, 2008, the first shipment arrived in Bucharest.

The installation of central equipment room started on Nov. 17, 2008, system commissioning started on Nov. 23, and the first call was made on Dec. 5; on Dec. 19, functional tests on 100 sites and core network functions were completed, four days ahead of the schedule.

In one and a half months, 100 sites and 1x, DO and GoTa services were commissioned and accepted. The project milestones demonstrated ZTE’s fast response to customer requirements, strong project deployment and engineering delivery capability.

Fulfillment of “Mission Impossible”
In 45 days, ZTE’s team completed all tasks as scheduled in a high-quality manner through careful planning and scientific execution, and helped Romtelecom smoothly deploy the CDMA national network and keep its wireless license.

 In April 2009, Romtelecom successfully put its voice and data services into commercial use; during the bidding for Phase 2 network expansion in May 2009, ZTE was again awarded 50% of the contract.

ZTE’s GoTa solution is the only CDMA PTT solution in the industry that has been put into large-scale applications. So far, ZTE has deployed the solution in more than 20 countries and regions in the world. The GoTa solution has passed strict tests by Romtelecom and Deutsche Telekom. The solution provides outstanding performance in two professional trunking performance indexes: the call setup duration is as short as 500 ms and the number of users in each single carrier-sector is unlimited.

ZTE is so far the only CDMA 410MHz supplier with commercial application experience. Although the commercial CDMA 410MHz networks have not been deployed on a large scale for a long time, ZTE’s leading position in the industry chain and rich networking experience not only significantly decreased Romtelecom’s risks in network construction and ensured fast network installation, but also enriched user groups of Romtelecom and improved its overall competitiveness