North Yorkshire 'Project Connection'
MLL Telecom specialises in providing fully-managed networks to service providers, system integrators and the public sector. The organisation has worked closely with Aerelink on a number of projects over the last five years as a valued partner.
North Yorkshire County Council uses MLL Telecom’s managed network services in their schools, social services and libraries.
The Requirement
The combination of web-based teaching, video resources and online assignments, together with central government directives for school and library access increased the annual load on current networks. The existing DSL infrastructure, in what is largely a rural area was not able to expand to the customer’s requirements. Therefore, an alternative solution was required. MLL recognised that wireless was the most suitable alternative and worked with Aerelink to design and deploy the solution.
The Solution
Aerelink worked in partnership with MLL’s radio planning teams to design a hybrid licensed microwave and unlicensed radio network spanning the whole of North Yorkshire, the largest county in England. Space on radio towers was rented on the periphery of the county’s major towns and a resilient ‘mesh’ of licensed microwave links was created. This bearer network was then delivered into the towns using a combination of point-to-point and point-to-multipoint light licensed radio.
Aerelink provided engineering support on all levels of the project. We worked closely with the radio planning teams, providing ‘on the ground’ feedback and results during testing. We were also responsible for suggesting alternative base station and relay sites when local clutter such as trees and buildings meant that the planned networks were not viable. Once the design was finalised, Aerelink engineers installed in excess of 250 sites.
Health and Safety and meticulous project planning were key factors in the deployment of these operations. Working at height, especially with machinery such as cherry pickers in school environments with curious young children, must be carefully managed. Aerelink’s high standards and well-defined operating practices ensured there were no incidents.
The Benefits
The network has proven very robust, with exceptional levels of availability. Aerelink’s practical, ‘on the ground’ approach to survey, with high levels of feedback to planning teams, ensured the most efficient usage of equipment and radio spectrum. The rollout completed on schedule, with all installations sympathetic to the local environment; some installations were completed in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The end-user received its required network and MLL saved a significant sum on its operating costs.
All in all, two happy customers.
