Somali Network Expands Coverage with 120km Wide GSM Cells

­Somafone, a GSM mobile network operator in Somalia has launched service in the Puntland region including Garowe, Galkaio, Bosaso and other cities, utilizing hosted managed services from Tecore Networks. As Somafone continues to expand its network to cover the entire country, it is the only one of 10 operators in Somalia which offers service in multiple regions under a single mobile code and one rate plan.

The Somafone network is based on Tecore's iBSS Super-Capacity GSM Radio Access Network (RAN), featuring: high channel capacity and quad-band operation; bandwidth and backhaul optimization; footprint and power minimization; and RAN sharing support. Traffic is backhauled via IP over VSAT to the iCore switching platform hosted and managed by Tecore at a centralized facility. Local calls are switched within the RAN, avoiding tromboning over satellite connectivity. Tecore's Managed Services team has assumed end-to-end responsibility for network design, installation, operation and performance monitoring based on an ISO 9001:2008-certified customer-driven management system.

In addition, Somafone is activating Tecore's FarSite extended-range feature on the iBSS RAN. FarSite achieves a cell radius of up to 120 km, quadruple the standard range of a GSM base station. It overcomes a limitation on cell radius imposed by the GSM radio channel structure. The dramatically increased range is particularly beneficial to operators in remote or rural locations, who can install less equipment without sacrificing performance.

"Somalia has been divided for much of its history, but it continues to be one of the most productive nations in Africa according to the United Nations," said Abdirahman A. Hussein, General Manager of Somafone. "Somafone is supporting a bustling society and economy by providing the necessary bridge of communications between communities. We are very proud to be the first to offer one mobile code and one rate, matching the standard in the rest of the world."

Posted to the site on 5th November 2009