By Mark Godfrey, Global Times
Mobile telecoms technology firm Altobridge is keen on helping Chinese mobile phone operators to hook up small, remote communities which due to the low numbers of subscribers would otherwise not be commercially feasible to connect.
The firm has spent nearly a decade coming up with a system that combines satellite and software technology to “backhaul” or connect remote communities to the networks of mobile phone operators.
Connecting far-flung places is difficult for the likes of China Mobile, given the costs are not justified by the low numbers of mobile subscribers in such areas.
Asia sales director Mark O’Sullivan explains how Altobridge’s system works.
What are your key technologies?
Our Split Architecture software system and Local Connectivity systems use software and satellite bandwidth to reduce the cost of transmission of calls through an on-demand use of the satellite link. Split Architecture ensures that the link is only used when revenue-generating calls are being made.
Local Connectivity ensures in the case of mobile-to-mobile calls where both subscribers are located at the same site that we switch or connect those calls locally rather than bringing them over the expensive satellite link back to the main network.
Why can’t these remote areas be linked to the normal mobile phone network?
Often in remote communities there’s no reliable power supply or transmission network. It’s difficult for mobile phone operators to build a cost-efficient transmission network there.
We use existing satellite ground bases in the area, or install satellites, to install base stations that can work independently of the main network.
How do you power these bases?
We use solar to power the bases and transmission technology. The Altobridge solution has the lowest power consumption in the industry: ideal for solar and wind electricity.
Are mobile phone operators keen to use your equipment?
Some operators want to buy the equipment and use it themselves, while others want to hand off particular geographical segments to us.
We get the coordinates of the area they want us to cover, and we operate our system for a fixed price every month.
We use our own teams to install, and then manage remotely. Different operators have different strategies. Some are bound by universal coverage obligations. Sometimes it’s too risky for the operators. They’re not familiar with green power or satellite technologies.
What are the opportunities in China?
China is slightly different because even remote villages are the size of cities elsewhere. Operators are working from the lowest-to the highest-density areas and we’re now talking with local operators.
Are other large telecommunications equipment-makers offering similar equipment?
The majors like Ericsson and Huawei all claim to have solutions for remote areas, but they are more focused on larger populations of subscribers. Our solution is suited to 1,500 people per site.
Is it worth the mobile operators’ time and bother to do this?
It’s estimated there are 1 billion people living and working in non-urban communities who remain unconnected to networks. This is also potentially a major source of new revenue for mobile operators.