While many of us are preparing to wind down for the festive season, it looks like local network MTN is ramping things up, with it prioritising the optimisation of its infrastructure for the new year.

More specifically, MTN is looking at the areas it have to react in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening where possible.

“With major investment already made into strengthening and protecting its network infrastructure during 2020, MTN South Africa is again putting optimisation plans in place to ensure stability and high-quality network connectivity during the festive season – and working on strategies to enhance performance even further in 2021,” explains a press release regarding the network’s plans.

The 360 model

One aspect that will be targeted in particular is keeping things operational, and by this MTN means batteries.

As we have seen during extended stints of loadshedding batteries to power towers and ensure connectivity is still available, become essential. In recent years, however, these batteries have also become a prime target for thieves, which is something the network addressed this year.

To that end MTN implemented a new 360 Plan Security Model, resulting in incidents going down from 2 195 in 2019 to 1 115 during 2020 to date.

While it is not mentioned, the fact that lockdown has been in effect, may have proved a factor, but as lockdown continues, thieves will likely become emboldened by desperation.

“This reduction of incidents resulted in a 45% reduction in actual batteries losses over the year, from 13,066 to 7,150 from 2019 to 2020 respectively,” adds Ernest Paul, general manager for MTN Network Operations.

“Our 360 Plan Security Model stands out as a key turning point. It is an industry-first in the design of security services, modelled around a managed services approach, compared to the traditional resource-based models,” he continues.

Ramping up 5G

Looking at connectivity, the network’s strides in the rollout of 5G have been well documented, despite having adequate access to the necessary spectrum.

For other broadband standards, MTN is focusing on areas which require access, with new base stations and technology upgrades deployed on selected 3G and LTE stations during the festive season and beyond.

Thereafter, 5G appears to be the main focus.

“Plans for the new year include continuing the RAN/IP/TX modernisation programmes, participating in the High Demand Spectrum Auction, putting more focus on the newly established MVNO division and ramping up 5G deployment if successful in the auction,” notes Paul.

“The over-arching drive is to deliver a one-billion-euro investment in the entire network,” he enthuses.

This looks to be part of a bigger picture for the network, with the next decade and a half being framed in terms of delivering the fully fledged IoT-driven smart environment that has been eulogised for some time now.

“At MTN, it all starts with the network and there are no short cuts to a best network that is future-fit – it will require us to continue to invest so we are prepared for 5G, 4IR and the long 15-year wait for additional spectrum. Expect far more to come in 2021,” Paul concludes.