blink | bmobile delivers on strongest, most resilient network

Over the past 24 months, TSTT has invested millions in its infrastructure to maintain this high quality of resiliency in its core network and deliver a best in class service.

Nicole Maharaj, TSTT’s Acting Senior Manager Network Planning and Design explained that TSTT has deployed fibre throughout its core network in Trinidad and Tobago as part of the Company’s new strategic plan to transform itself from a traditional telecommunications company to an agile broadband communications company that is responsive to its customers’ needs.

She said, “Our IP and fibre based core infrastructure is used to deliver all our services to our valued customers, including Voice, Internet, Entertainment and Enterprise solutions. They all ride on our core network which is the backbone, so it must be a strong network that stays up and stays strong so our customers do not lose their service. Building out and expanding our fibre-resilient network is one of the key initiatives surrounding our new strategic plan to ensure that all of TSTT’s services are protected, and that we have no single point of failure in our network.” Agreeing that TSTT has the strongest, most resilient network in the country, Maharaj stated, “Customers can rest assured that our new network delivers a guaranteed, best in class service with the higher bandwidth speeds they need to support all their services, as well as high reliability and survivability and built-in redundancy. So if something happens in one location, another area will not be affected. Their service will not be impacted.” Hughes shared that from a power backup point of view, TSTT has spent millions of dollars for the purchase of a new technology to ensure that its mobile sites throughout the country stay in service during electricity power outages. He explained, “The deployment of new fuel cell technologies using hydrogen or methanol fuel provides back-up power for up to two days before requiring refueling. This means that during a utility outage in their area, customers now enjoy uninterrupted mobile service backed up by TSTT’s 24/7 service assurance support. We have seen tremendous improvement in the reliability of our network, especially in rural areas from Sangre Grande to Toco along the North East coast where there have been frequent utility power outages.” In addition to the ongoing installation of the new back-up power systems based on “cutting-edge” technologies throughout the network, Hughes indicated that TSTT installed a 4G LTE wireless mobile network, backed up by the country’s largest solar-powered system, to provide a reliable and uninterrupted power supply and mobile service to Chacachacare Island and the rest of the northwest peninsula, including out at sea.

He remarked, “As a result of these advanced communications technologies, the entire northwest region has benefitted from having strong, seamless and reliable coverage and our mobile service is now continuous and strong when travelling between Trinidad and Tobago. The inter-island ferries, ships, yachts and down-the-island vacationers have all benefitted from this investment because we want to assure that no matter where our customers are, they have a strong and resilient network.” Since the completion of the core network upgrades nationwide, the Company’s reports have shown that customers appreciate the investment.

Hughes stated, “We have seen a significant reduction in failures, improvement in revenue from new customers and an increase in usage on our network nationwide, particularly in the rural areas. I feel satisfied that what we are doing is making a real difference to the company and to our customers.” Maharaj added, “Despite all of this, there are plans for continuous enhancements to our network to meet the ever changing demands of our customers and improve their experience.

I feel very fortunate and happy to be involved in this transformation with TSTT.”