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CAF: How can Mobiserve help operators reduce costs as they grow their networks? Do you consider infrastructure-sharing essential for optimised operations?
SA: Mobiserve assists operators to reduce costs by enabling them to roll out networks with our premium turnkey telecommunications services such as telecom infrastructure build out and telecom engineering. We also help operators maintain networks through our maintenance services in a cost-effective way.
Network infrastructure-sharing is the key to optimised operations. Already, network-sharing is one of the fastest growing trends in the telecommunications industry, becoming a widely-adopted business model in the US, Europe, and Asia.
By reducing duplication of the most expensive parts of an operator’s network, cell sites, towers, base station equipment, and transmission network, operators can deliver better services in a more cost-effective way.
The savings can be significant for an operator with network-sharing. About 20 per cent to 50 per cent of an operator's capital or operating costs can be saved depending on the level of network-sharing, without compromising network quality.
In the Middle East, regional operators are increasingly implementing this concept with UAE-based operators “du” and “Etisalat” signing a network-sharing agreement last year. Egypt has also taken a step in this direction, with the signing of a cellular network tower sharing agreement between Mobiserve and Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA).
Mobiserve’s new license with the NTRA will enable Egyptian operators to bring costs down as they continue to roll out next-generation networks as well as go ahead with innovative services for customers.
In case of other parts of Africa, network tower sharing is beneficial, as it enables operators to expand coverage in rural areas and continue to provide new services without incurring significant capital expenditure.
Interview: Taking a look at next-gen telecom technologies
