Cell C has taken quality assurance and network efficiency to the highest level with the installation of a sophisticated system that automates the testing and documentation of the inbound and outbound roaming traffic.
The new system ensures the company exceeds the requirements laid down by GSM MoU, an international body aimed at the establishment of internationally-compatible GSM networks in member countries. The installation and commissioning was entrusted to Saab Grintek, which partners with Keynote-Sigos, specialist in testing telecommunication networks, services and components.
The system simulates customer behaviour and is strategically deployed throughout South Africa. It enables Cell C to test and access bearer services for both circuit switched and packet switched traffic ensuring optimum performance by continual monitoring. Problems can be detected quickly, diagnosed and corrected often before customers are affected.
Saab Grintek recommended the Keynote Sigos SITE system because of its proven performance at all the major GSM networks. The system allows Cell C to verify that all services are available to customers of its roaming partners while roaming in South Africa on Cell C's network. It utilises a multiplexing technology that virtually transmits SIMs to remote testing stations in many regions where real voice, SMS and data calls are performed. (A SIM is a subscriber identity module, securely storing the key identifying a mobile phone service subscriber, but also subscription information, preferences and storage of text messages.) In this way many user profiles can be rapidly tested without a single SIM card ever having to be physically shipped to remote test locations.
The outbound roaming service, Sigos GlobalRoamer, provides Cell C with the capability to continually monitor their customers travelling overseas without the need to contact the roaming partner. Roaming traffic has increased significantly over the past decade and today represents an important part of cellular traffic.
Commenting on the commissioning of the new testing platform , Shamanga Ilunga, senior manager Core Networks at Cell C, said that functionality testing was essential if they were to live up to their service commitment to customers.
"Manual testing is very labour-intensive and costly and therefore tends to be carried out on an ad hoc basis. With the new system we can schedule, test and analyse results on a continuous basis," he said.
"The Keynote Sigos automated testing platform can be extended to include all functionally testing which is becoming more and more important with the many new services that Cell C offers it customers," Adel Demian, key account manager at Saab Grintek said.
Saab Grintek partners with the best of breed companies to make the world's most innovative systems available to companies in South Africa and on the African continent. The company employs experienced engineers that understand the local requirements and have the experience and understanding of local networks. This enables Saab Grintek to offer a one-stop service with local backup.
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