Demonstrating its suitability and desirability worldwide, Ericsson’s MINI-LINK™ Traffic Node microwave transmission solution has been selected for two major projects, one in Russia and the other in New Zealand. For both contracts, the system’s deployment recognises that with the introduction of more bandwidth demanding services in mobile networks there is the need to minimize the impact on operational and capital costs on the transmission network. The Traffic Node concept enables operators with microwave networks to address these issues at a lower cost and with increased network control than previously possible.
Therefore, the Russian mobile operator VimpelCom and Ericsson have commenced deployment of the solution as part of a multi-million dollar agreement that covers the rollout of GSM/GPRS network infrastructure nationally. MINI-LINK Traffic Node will enable the operator to make its transmission hub sites more efficient, releasing resources that the company will be able to use for further availability improvements elsewhere in the network. It also opens up new possibilities to deploy microwave rings further out in the network to increase resilience.
On the other side of the Equator, the contract between Ericsson and Vodafone New Zealand covers the implementation of the smart microwave node and product warranty services. Commenting from a technical viewpoint, Paul Hallowes, Vodafone New Zealand radio engineer, stated, “We chose MINI-LINK Traffic Node as it strengthens our traffic control and manageability as well as giving substantial savings in site accommodation cost.”