Radio spectrum optimisation company, Mesaplexx, today announced that it has provided LMT, said to be Latvia’s leading operator, with a spectrum optimisation solution for the roll out 3G services to its rural customers.

LMT (part of the TeliaSonera Group) was established in 1992, as Latvia’s first network provider. LMT delivers network coverage throughout the country, which includes many extensive rural and sparsely habited regions.

In 2009, as part of LMT’s 3G coverage expansion plans, the decision was taken to redeploy parts of the existing GSM network to UMTS 900, in order to provide faster and more effective subscriber services. As many of LMT’s subscribers would continue to use the GSM network, great care had to be taken to ensure minimal disruption to the network whilst undertaking the coverage expansion project.

LMT turned to spectrum optimisation specialist Mesaplexx, to find a solution that enabled the refarming of the spectrum with the best performance characteristics that also met their customer requirements for little or no network downtime. LMT had considered deploying a solution of new TMAs (Tower Mounted Amplifiers) to refarm the spectrum. However, while deploying these may have slightly extended each base station’s range, the cost of deployment, coupled with the labour intensive installation would have resulted in a slow and sluggish deployment.

Mesaplexx proposed an alternative solution – a roll out of low-loss UMTS/GSM 900 spectrum combiners, throughout the network. These combiners negated the need for TMAs, whilst maximising the range and performance of each cell site.

The Mesaplexx combiners met LMT’s stringent performance demands on UMTS and GSM separation, with the absolute minimal loss or inefficiency per cell site. The small footprint of each combiner made it ideal for smaller, cramped sites and enabled it to be deployed through all of LMT’s chosen indoor and outdoor site configurations. Installation was fast, efficient and was able to be carried out with minimal disruption to the network. Mesaplexx combiners also proved to be smaller, more efficient and better performing than other solutions evaluated by LMT.

Eliminating the need for new antennas and deploying Mesaplexx’s low loss combiners has proven to be 50 – 60 per cent more cost effective than deploying new antennas and feeders. The Mesaplexx combiner solution has enabled LMT to best serve its rural customers with a full 3G service, with minimal infrastructure requirements and disturbance to the GSM network.

While the solution is still being deployed at present, in those areas where the Mesaplexx combiners have been deployed, customer feedback has been extremely positive, enabling LMT to maintain its position as the number one mobile provider in Latvia. 

Viesturs Beinars, Head of Networks at LMT said: “Working with Mesaplexx has not only enabled us to roll out our 3G network quickly and cost-effectively, but the minimised network disruption has ensured our customers remain extremely happy with the service we provide, ensuring we remain the number one operator in the region. Deploying the low-cost and efficient Mesaplexx filters and combiners means we can continue to offer our customers the best value 3G price plans in the country.” 

Mark Bole, CEO at Mesaplexx, comments: “The solution delivered to LMT has proven to be up to 60 per cent more cost effective than deploying dedicated antennas and feeders. Our combiners had to meet stringent performance demands on UMTS and GSM separation set by LMT, while ensuring that the coverage and capacity was maximised for each cell site.”