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Infrastructure |
In order to lend perspective to our narrative, we begin by detailing the key elements of our infrastructure, which consist of Core and Access Networks and Core and Access Technologies. It is from this base that the Company is
able to launch state-of-the-art products, and fulfil its strategic direction.
Core Networks
Optical fibre supported by microwave constitutes SLT’s core network. The network is configured in 11 Rings linking the entire island. The network consists of 4,200 km of optical fibre cabling. This system is considered to be the launch pad for SLT’s Next Generation Network (NGN).
NGN is the ‘shape of things to come’ - it is a single network that can host multiple services and when it becomes operational in the near future, it will provide a single platform providing Voice, Data and Multi-media services. Apart from the futuristic product portfolio it opens up for the customer, NGN will also yield great economies in terms of operational and maintenance costs whilst considerably reducing complexity.
The Company’s ‘test drive’ of the NGN is currently running in Matara. It is also being implemented in Negombo, Gampaha, Galle and Avissawella.
Access Networks
These consist primarily of Wireline and Wireless categories.
SLT has been blessed with an unmatched copper wire line network that stretches across the length and breadth of
Sri Lanka. This is the network which supported the Company’s earliest telecom services. Today, this copper-based network continues to be an invaluable medium, delivering the Company’s broadband technologies such as ADSL.
The Company also expanded its ‘Fibre to the Building’ connectivity programme, which comprises 70 km of optical fibre cabling connecting 110 important buildings in the Colombo area.
With the increasing demand for high-speed data services from areas outside Colombo, the Metro Ethernet Network was expanded to other regions under Phase-II of this project.
The Network now reaches Anuradhapura in the North Central Province, Ampara in the Eastern Province and Hambantota in the Southern Province of the country and serves major cities in these provinces as well as major cities such as Gampaha, Negombo, Chilaw, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Galgamuwa, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Hatton, Nawalapitiya, Avissawella, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Moratuwa, Mt. Lavinia, Ambalangoda, Galle, Matara, Kelaniya, Wattala, Kotte, Nugegoda, Ratmalana, Maharagama and Piliyandala. More cities are to be connected soon depending on customer demand.
This network provides the foundation for wide area network technologies such as the Metro Ethernet, a full description of which appears in our segment on Access Technologies, appearing further on in this review.
The key technology employed by the Company in the wireless category is CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). With 321 base stations covering 92% of the island, SLT’s CDMA network is one of Sri Lanka’s largest. This year, the Company added 62 base stations to the network.
CDMA has been a boon to the Company, enabling it to reach areas of the country not served by a wire line network. Thus it was a great answer to the telecom needs of customers in the rural areas of the country.
Global Networks
With our avowed goal of becoming a Global IP Solutions Provider as well as an effective regional telecommunications player, it was necessary for the Company to have in place a suitable infrastructure and network to support our progress well beyond current times.
SLT is a key partner in four state-of-the-art submarine fibre optic cable systems. They are - the SEA-ME-WE systems 3 and 4, the Bharat-Lanka system and the Dhiraagu-Lanka system.
These undersea cable networks further enable the Company to pursue its global business options.
Core Technologies
In our pursuit of the optimum technology in keeping with strategic direction, our key focus continues to be on the provision of multiple services on single connectivity.
The Company employs state-of-the-art IP-MPLS (Internet Protocol-Multi Protocol Label Switching) as a core technology. This is the foundation for the provision of a multiple service delivery regime, which we envisage with the coming NGN. IP-MPLS roll out across our fibre network is complete. Our core network is evolving towards IP-MPLS.
IP-MPLS transforms a traditional IP network into a carrier class IP bearer network with the best multi-service offering in Sri Lanka.
It provides a prime technological platform for SLT to offer value added services such as Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), the NGN and an IP Multimedia sub-system which opens the door to offering Fixed Mobile Convergence.
IP-MPLS technology also supports the Company’s offer of Internet Protocol Virtual Private Networks (IP-VPN) used for enterprise networking, which is a huge boon to the ICT segment of our operations. This is more fully expounded on page 18 of this report.
WiMAX is a wireless technology suitable to support multiple service delivery and is a key component of our future suite of core technologies.
An acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX is a provider of Broadband Wireless Access to customers which is scheduled to come on line in 2009.
It is an all-IP, all-packet technology with no legacy telephony, which makes operational expenses very low.
SLT’s subsidiary Sky Network (Pvt) Limited will roll out this service with product packages designed for the household as well as the business.
WiMAX is today a field proven technology embraced by a growing number of countries across the world. What it will bring to SLT and its customers is a low cost, wireless broadband option that supports the Company’s triple play services. Its scalability ensures it can embrace quad play services when they come on stream.
Access Technologies
These are the technologies that bring innovative and state-of-the-art services and products to SLT customers, wherever they are.
We have already spoken of CDMA as one of the Company’s Access Networks. It is a key wireless technology which supports a variety of services and has a ‘no boundaries’ aspect to the manner in which it is deployed as a network.
The illustration on this page depicts customer distribution patterns for the three Access Mediums as described in this segment of the Review.
For yet another year in succession, SLT was able to achieve
a 100% growth in its customer base for ADSL, the Company’s broadband wireline technology. As at the end of 2008, a customer base fast approaching the 100,000 mark was enjoying top-of-the-line broadband services via ADSL access technology.
Metro Ethernet is a triple play ready system that enables accessing of voice, data and video content via single port connectivity. It is an access technology consisting of a network of fibre optic rings, employing MPLS technology, linking many designated building complexes. The Metro Ethernet is particularly suited for businesses and high-end customers, who require access to specific services such as video conferencing, high speed internet, high speed data and voice applications.
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| In 2008, Metro Ethernet covered 23 access rings and linked 110 buildings in Colombo. |
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