MTN has started deploying antennas on street light poles, the network announced in a press release on Tuesday, 19 August 2014.<\/p>\n
It has also been erecting \u201cpurpose-built pole masts with zero visual impact\u201d around west and northern Johannesburg to improve network coverage and quality.<\/p>\n
News of MTN using street poles as cellular towers comes after the network revealed in January 2014 that it had an infrastructure deal with City Power.<\/p>\n
MTN said that City Power awarded it a 3-year contract following a request for proposals on City Power\u2019s plan to commercialise its infrastructure.<\/p>\n
According to MTN, the density of the buildings around west and northern Johannesburg has impacted negatively on network coverage and quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has compelled MTN to consider innovative ways of deploying its infrastructure due to the difficulties experienced in installing conventional base stations in these areas,\u201d MTN said.<\/p>\n
Eben Albertyn, chief technology officer of MTN South Africa, was quoted as saying that customers will experience a noticeable difference in quality of service when the project is complete.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will also lay the firm foundations for future deployment of a fibre to the home (FTTH) network,\u201d Albertyn said.<\/p>\n
Deployment of cellular infrastructure onto the street lights started this week with the installation of a pole site in Bryanston.<\/p>\n
The areas targeted include a number of suburbs in Randburg, Fourways, Bryanston, and Saxonworld.<\/p>\n
MTN expects to complete the first phase of this project in the next four months. The second phase of the project will be determined by customer requirements, MTN said.<\/p>\n
Each pole site has a coverage radius of 400\u2013600 meters, and the number of poles that will be installed will depend on customer density in the targeted areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe smaller coverage footprint of these sites means that the resources are shared by fewer users which gives an improved level of service and throughput,\u201d Albertyn said.<\/p>\n
This article was first published on MyBroadband<\/a>.<\/p>\n MTN board approves $1 billion for India expansion: report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n FNB a competitor: MTN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n MTN reveals launch window for video content<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on MTN<\/h3>\n