NT connecting valley mobile towers with fibre optics

KATHMANDU, DEC 01 -Nepal Telecom (NT) is connecting all of its mobile towers in the Kathmandu valley with fibre optics. The move, as per the company, is focused on readying the network for increasing data service capacity and enhancing service quality.

Out of 694 base transceiver stations (BTS) installed in the valley, 385 have so far been linked to fibre, instead of traditional radio links, for transmission, according to NT.

Compared to radio and satellite transmission, optical fibre link is efficient, easy for maintenance and requires comparatively less investment. Low fault rate, higher bandwidth capacity and reliability for connectivity are the plus points of optical fibre connection. Telecom companies normally use three types of media — radio transmission, satellite link and optical fibre — for fixing connection of mobile towers.

NT said with the demand for mobile internet growing, fibre links would work as a back bone for both voice and high speed data services. “It especially helps increase capacity for data services like 3G,” said Guna Keshari Pradhan, spokesperson for NT, adding as other links have limited capacity and higher expenses, fibre links would be instrumental in expanding the reach of high-speed mobile data service.

NT has been using radio transmission and satellite link (VSAT) to link most of its mobile towers and to provide voice and data services nationwide.

NT officials said although radio and satellite links were fine for voice communication, fibre link was must for expanding data services and adding bandwidth capacity. The company has around 2,500 BTSs across the country.

NT has also been working on establishing connection of mobile towers’ equipment through fibre cables in main cities and highway areas. In rural parts, NT has radio or satellite transmission links for its BTS as setting up fibre connecting in such areas is difficult.

In a bid to expand connection of fibre in all districts, the state-owned company has long been carrying out a fibre extension programme. Pradhan said the extension of cable link to districts has been necessary for high speed data services. Even as the NT’s network is spread across the country, its 3G service is limited in areas like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini.

NT has extended its fibre link to 34 districts as of last fiscal year. In the current fiscal year, it plans to link districts headquarters in Dang, Salyan, Baglung, Gorkha, Ilam, Panchthar, Rolpa, Siraha, Udaypur, Saptari and Sunsari.