GTS Novera has completed an integration of the telecommunication networks - the extended network handled over 200 million calls in January
Prague, February 14, 2007
One year after there were effectuated acquisitions of competitive operators Contactel, Nextra and Telenor Networks GTS Novera completed an integration of the telecommunication networks acquired. GTS Novera's new extended network, which is one of the largest networks in the Czech Republic, offers to the users of telecommunication services a wide range of options with respect to the end-user connection, high transmission rate and guaranteed level of services. This January the network handled over 200 million of calls, i.e. by 71% more than it did in January 2006.
The widest range of options for the end-user connection
GTS Novera's network provides for the end-user connection through own optic-fiber networks, radio connection and LLU (Local Loop Unbundling). The optic-fiber connection is available in 80 Czech cities. Moreover, there are available metropolitan networks in 7 of the largest cities. Radio systems cover over 100 of cities and provide for a wireless connection of subscribers within licensed frequency bands 26 GHz and 3.5 GHz. LLU-technology connection has currently been available in 12 of the largest cities; it represents about 30% (about 800,000) of all fixed lines in the Czech Republic. "A wide variability of solutions we offer to our end-users for the connection to our network enables them to select their operator quite freely; it is very important for a factual liberalization of the telecommunication market in our country," stated Mr. Václav Dolínek, a director of GTS Novera's technical division.
It is still possible to extend a high capacity of our backbone network
GTS Novera's backbone network uses a DWDM technology; it is comprised of more than 20,000 kilometers of own optic fibers and interconnects over 80 cities all over the Czech Republic. The network has a ring topology ensuring the operations despite its partial damage. In accordance with growing customer requirements it is possible to extend the current backbone network capacity amounting to 25 @ STM16 (i.e. 25 @ 2.5 Gbit/s), which has been used for about 85%, up to 80 @ STM16 (i.e. 80 @ 2.5 Gbit/s). This January the volume of voice traffic within the network peaked to 200,000 calls a month (i.e. by 71% more than in the January 2006) while the volume of national data traffic amounted to 2,7 Gbit and the volume of international traffic totaled to 2,5 Gbit (i.e. 120% growth compared to January 2006). Thanks to GTS Novera's connection to the international network of its parent group GTS Central Europe there is guaranteed a high interconnection capacity all across the Central European region.
Quality and network management = as much as 70% of faults removed within four hours
The average monthly availability of services on GTS Novera’s network amounts to 99.9%; in terms of statistics it means that the network is unavailable to any customer for less than 10 seconds a month only. The Prague NMC (Network Management Center), which employs 40 technicians, makes sure that the high-level quality is ensured. "Service operations and solving of prospective faults are subject to the strict process rules. Although we contractually guarantee to our customers that the fault will be removed within 24 hours up to 70% of faults with respect to the services provided to business customers is removed within four hours," informed us Mr. Tomáš Doležal, a director of GTS Novera's network operations division.
Future network development: coverage, capacity and quality
Further development of GTS Novera's network will be focused on an increase in the network availability to end-users and transport backbone network capacity. There is planned a further rollup of L2 Ethernet backbone network as well as the upgrade of DWDM and SDH systems. New systems for the network administration, namely UMS (Umbrella Management System) and NRM (Network Resource Management), which are believed to be completed this year, will help to maintain and increase the guaranteed high-level quality of telecommunication services.
GTS Novera
GTS Novera is a nationwide telecommunication operator that provides a complex portfolio of voice, data and Internet services with a guaranteed quality level. The company was established in 2005 upon the merger of two leading alternative telecommunication operators GTS CZECH and Aliatel. The company is a member of the powerful international telecommunication group GTS Central European Holding B.V. (GTS CEH), which is a part of the international financial holding GML Limited. By the end of 2005 there were concluded further agreements upon which additional telecommunication operators providing its services in the Czech marketplace, namely Contactel, Telenor Networks and Nextra, joined the GTS CEH. The integration of these companies into GTS Novera was completed in July 2006. The company current headcount is about 750.
About GTS
GTS Central Europe is a leading provider of integrated telecommunications services in Central and Eastern Europe. GTS owns and operates an extensive fiber optic and data center network throughout the region. In the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, the company combines its regional footprint with deep local networks to deliver a broad range of services. From basic voice and data to complex virtual private networks and managed data center services, GTS assembles the latest technology with its extensive network to provide industry-leading customer solutions. Wit a rich operating history of nearly 20 years in CEE, the company is committed to providing service excellence and value to its 30,000 government, carrier and business customers. GTS is owned by a consortium of leading international private equity firms with extensive experience in the communications and technology industries. For more information, please visit us at www.gtsce.com.
