The system aims to ensure that the company exceeds the requirements laid down by GSM MoU, an international body aimed at the establishment of internationally-compatible GSM networks in member countries. The installation and commissioning was carried out by Saab Grintek, which partnered with Keynote-Sigos, a specialist in testing telecommunication networks, services and components.

The system aims to simulate customer behaviour, and is strategically deployed throughout SA. It aims to enable Cell C to test and access bearer services for both circuit-switched and packet-switched traffic, and to ensure optimum performance by continual monitoring. Problems can be detected quickly, diagnosed and corrected often before customers are affected.

Saab Grintek recommended the Keynote Sigos SITE system because of its proven performance at all the major GSM networks. The system is designed to allow Cell C to verify that all services are available to customers of its roaming partners while roaming in SA on Cell Cs network. It utilises a multiplexing technology that virtually transmits SIMs to remote testing stations in many regions where real voice, SMS and data calls are performed. (A SIM is a subscriber identity module, securely storing the key identifying a mobile phone service subscriber, but also subscription information, preferences and storage of text messages.)

In this way many user profiles can be rapidly tested without a single SIM card ever having to be physically shipped to remote test locations, Cell C says.

The outbound roaming service, Sigos GlobalRoamer, aims to provide Cell C with the capability to continually monitor its customers travelling overseas, without the need to contact the roaming partner. Roaming traffic has increased significantly over the past decade and today represents an important part of cellular traffic.

Commenting on the commissioning of the new testing platform, Shamanga Ilunga, senior manager Core Networks at Cell C, says that functionality testing was essential if the company was to live up to its service commitment to customers.

Manual testing is very labour-intensive and costly, and therefore tends to be carried out on an ad hoc basis. With the new system we can schedule, test and analyse results on a continuous basis, he says.

The Keynote Sigos automated testing platform can be extended to include all functionally testing, which is becoming more and more important with the many services that Cell C offers its customers, adds Adel Demian, key account manager at Saab Grintek.