Telkom deploys Spescom's world-leading technology

In a first for SA, Telkom has deployed one of the world's most up-to-date records purification systems (RPS) from Spescom.

This RPS is essentially an automated system that allows Telkom technicians to connect to the vast network of fixed-lines crossing the country at a point between the local exchange and the street distribution cabinets that feed these lines to the end-users.

The system then checks each of the copper-pair connections to ensure that it is functioning and then determines the type of service running on that connection. This is made possible by the unique electronic signature of different services such as voice or data.

Alan Holloway, Chief Operating Officer: Communications Solutions Group at Spescom, points out the need telecoms operators have for such systems.

"Although Telkom is a vast organisation with equally vast assets in equipment, the largest of these is the national network of fixed-lines which has been put in place since early last century. Cost savings and service improvements resulting from accurate records of what the state of these assets really is - in real-time, field-proven terms - makes a critical contribution to Telkom's bottom line.

"The solution offered by Spescom Telecommunications combines the latest field equipment supplied by Harris Corporation of America with a system methodology custom-built by EML UK, which are specialists in telecom RPS solutions."

Theo Hess, Managing Executive: Access Network Operations at Telkom, adds that this is another example of the organisation using world-leading technology. "There have been deployments of leading-edge technology in the Network Construction and Core Network Operations divisions, but this is definitely the first in Access Network Operations."

Both Telkom and Spescom are technology innovators, with a parallel commitment to providing world-leading services and solutions to their customers.

"We have a very open relationship with Spescom regarding this RPS implementation," says Hess. "They are always obliging from a people point of view. The RPS supplied has already had its first roll-out and the second begins in November. This should allow Telkom to achieve its target of checking 1 000 lines per day with each of the machines deployed, supplying the necessary checks of technical details of the lines and the services running and updating records accordingly.

"This is done completely transparently, without any interruption of service for our customers.

"Ensuring that records are accurate greatly improves quality of service while protecting Telkom's assets," Hess continues. "An efficient RPS leads to faster installation, faster fault repairing and reduced risk in hiring out services. By recovering unused connections, Telkom can achieve significant savings per line recovered. We anticipate this will make a vast contribution to reducing operating costs in the immediate future period.

"The system is programmable, meaning that it can be updated with latest technology on an ongoing basis. As we expect some 10 years of service from the field equipment used for the RPS, we can expect a substantial return on our investment in the Spescom RPS."