Vodafone ATP Project

In 2005, Vodafone, one of the largest cellular operators in the UK, embarked on an ambitious network expansion project to upgrade their microwave backbone network to cope with the rising flow of data traffic in conjunction with Siemens.  This was a huge project, with over five and a half thousand links tested and licenses applied for with OFCOM.  To complete this mammoth task, they employed the services of several telecommunications consultancies across the UK.

The Requirement

Patrick Farfan Associates (PFA) were one of the companies selected for the Line of Sight testing phase of the projects.  The project was behind schedule and pressure was being applied from Vodafone to complete the Line of Sight phase as quickly as possible.  PFA realised they needed extra capacity and turned to Aerelink for help.

The Solution

Aerelink immediately mobilised 3 teams for PFA’s use.  They were fully equipped with high resolution cameras, climbing gear, 2 million candlepower torches, 4x4 vehicles and all the other necessary tools for Line of Sight work.   The teams spent an eventful six months braving the Scottish weather to bring back confirmation of line of sight of over 150 individual links.

The Benefits

Aerelink moved quickly to achieve goals that others said were not possible.  Although mobilized at short notice, the output from the Line of Sight tests was of a consistently high quality.  This enabled this major project, once behind on schedule, to get back on track and deliver high quality mobile data services to rural areas.