Hidden telephone companies
Many people assume wireless networks get built by the companies that own them. AT&T, for example. That's not always so, in most cases it is not. I'll try to have a little more on these hidden telecom companies in the days to come. Bechtel Telecoms, for example, has been upgrading and redoing most of AT&T's wireless network since 2000. At a cost of $600 million dollars each year. I normally don't quote this much of a press release in my daily notes, and much of it is self serving, but I do find it fascinating how little we know on how things actually get built."
"Bechtel is managing end-to-end deployment of new cell site builds and supporting transition from a 2.5G network to a 3G high-speed data network for AT&T Wireless Services (AWS). Underway since 2000, the project has moved the network from TDMA through GSM, GPRS, and EDGE capabilities, into wideband UMTS services. Bechtel is also supporting the AWS E911 Phase II compliance initiative through the installation of TDOA and AOA technologies."
"In the past 4 years, AWS has doubled their footprint from 114 to 226 million POPS and has built a brand new GSM network with 2.5 GPRS/EDGE software. This software provides speeds nearly double other national wireless data networks, and is up to three times faster than traditionally wired dial-up services. In addition, AWS has deployed a true 3G UMTS network in four select cities, which will provide data services in 2G range. These high-bandwidth connections now link wireless phones and laptop computers to the Internet, letting consumers surf the Web, connect to their office desktop, play online games, take and transfer photographs in real-time, and will eventually allow video-conferencing."
Bechtel's Role
"Four years ago, AWS chose Bechtel to help manage the capacity and coverage needs of their network with the deployment of TDMA sites. In 2001, Bechtel was selected to manage the transformation of the network from a TDMA network to a 2.5G GSM/GPRS/EDGE network, capable of handling high-speed data. This upgrade and expansion involved the overlay of 30,000 existing sites with both 1900 and 850 GSM technology. In 2003, Bechtel was asked to provide further enhancements with the implementation of the full 3G UMTS capability in four key cities, as well as support capacity and growth requirements in the existing network.
Much of this work was turnkey, with Bechtel providing network RF planning, civil design, site acquisition services, transport testing and acceptance (including microwave design, installation and testing), and construction management. The work encompassed a wide range of cellsite types from well-hidden stealth sites in major city cores, through the standard monopole and tower cell sites, to distributed antenna systems in airports and other large venues.
In addition, in 2002, Bechtel was requested to support the AWS commitment to the FCC for the implementation of E911 Phase II technology, using Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) and Angle of Arrival (AOA) technologies. Bechtel has installed these technologies in approximately 14,000 cell sites in 37 states, supporting 199 Public Service Access Point (PSAP) requests, allowing AWS to meet their commitments to the FCC." Continues at the Bechtel site-- http://bechtel.com/ppATT.htm (external link)