Two Good Reasons to Leave Your Suitcase Unattended…
22 September 2003
Danish Mobile Operator Finds Several Novel New Uses for Automated Network Quality Optimisation Solution
Switzerland - September 2003 – Regular business travellers today are used to being told not to leave their baggage unattended. However, leading Danish telecommunications company TDC has decided there are times when such warnings are best ignored…
TDC’s mobile subsidiary, TDC Mobile International, has found several novel ways of improving customer service levels, both of which combine the QVoice Mobile Unattended (QVM-U) network quality solution from Ascom of Switzerland… and a standard suitcase.
The Danish operator began deploying a fleet of QVM-Us two years ago, to help it collect large volumes of business-critical network data in the most cost-effective way possible.
Now, TDC Mobile has come up with two new and particularly creative ways of exploiting the full range of the QVM-U option:
First, TDC has a number of large corporate accounts, whom it visits on a regular basis. Whenever a TDC representative is at the headquarters of such customers, he takes with him a suitcase containing a QVMU module. The suitcase can be placed in a corner for the duration of the meeting, collecting a wealth of data on the quality of network reception inside the corporate premises. This data can then be used for benchmarking purposes against rival networks – and to give customers first-hand evidence that they really are with the best service provider.
Second, the ‘Unattended suitcase’ is given to TDC engineers whenever they make field trips around the country, particularly to areas not covered by routine – but more cost-intensive – drive tests. Again, this is a virtually cost-free way both of detecting potential problems with their own network and of benchmarking the competition.
These are just just two – albeit striking – examples of the many ways in which QVoice Unattended can be used by customers world-wide to meet corporate objectives at optimal cost, particularly as the growth of data services leads to rapidly-rising quality expectations.
The ‘Unattended’ system is ideal for measuring and optimising network quality in areas where data is best collected on a 'random' basis – i.e. by installation in vehicles without rigidly pre-defined travel routes. QVM-U's main advantage is that it can function without any operator intervention on the 'mobile' device side. This makes it ideal for use when there are no qualified personnel present.
The QVM-U performs drive test measurements according to a programme that can be remotely down-loaded to each unit. During execution of the down-loaded programme, the unit performs standard drive test measurements known from other drive test systems. The units transmit their measurement results to a central unit known as the 'fleet manager'. From this point on, the processing of data is similar to that for any other drive test system.
And for anyone who believes that network quality is confined to land-locked areas, the Danish operator has already proved them wrong. TDC was the first QVoice customer to use QVM-U to measure and optimise network quality for a large swathe of territory covering the length of the Danish coastline and extending many kilometres out to sea (see press release of September 2002).
About Ascom
Ascom is an international solution supplier with a comprehensive technology know-how. In the areas Transport Revenue (revenue collection and parking systems), Security Solutions (applications for security, communications, automation and control systems for infrastructure operators, public security institutions and the army), Network Integration (network solutions in the data/voice convergence market) and Wireless Solutions (high quality on-site communications solutions) with many years of experience in the execution of complex projects for demanding customers the company has established itself in important key markets. Ascom's offering covers analysis and consulting, system design and system integration, project management, engineering and implementation, and goes right through to maintenance and support. The company has subsidiaries in 23 countries and has a staff of more than 5,000 employees worldwide
About Ascom Carrier Products
The QVoice mobile network quality measurement system is the brainchild of its Carrier Products business unit, part of the company’s Network Integration business division.
