Siemens experts in Jordan to supervise Fastlink's introduction of a switch technology

According to Eng. Nicolas Hanna, Siemens mobile networks General Manager in Jordan, Siemens delegated 18 experts who worked with their colleagues in Jordan and Fastlink engineers to implement this new technology.

Jordan is considered third after China and South Africa to put into operation such advanced know-how. Jordan's implementation of PowerCP processors in Fastlink's seven switches has surpassed the pace of European countries' adoption of this technology including that of its innovator, Germany, which only just started such preparations last June.

The technology's main advantages are to reduce to a minimum the possibility of congestion, increase flexibility, and allow the network to adapt to sudden changes in load, such as those which occur during special occasions and celebrations, among others. The high efficiency of these processors minimizes load to its minimum of 30%, in accord with Fastlink's ambitions to double its network capacity.

Eng. Hanna explained that the network capacity is measured by what is known as BHCA units (Busy Hour Call Attempts), or the number of times a subscriber tries to call during peak hours; the PowerCP processors increase that capacity by two to three times. Each of the seven Fastlink switches that have PowerCP processor installed, can today service a quarter of a million subscribers with the possibility of increasing that number to three-quarters of a million -- similar to the network in China. Such vast and scalable capacity of Switches is currently only provided by Siemens technology.

Moreover, the PowerCP processors greatly smooth the handover between cell sites, and are compatible with future standards in telecommunications known as Third Generation (3G).

Eng. Hanna said: "Siemens experts and Fastlink engineers have been working together as one team in order to implement and operate this progressive technology. I believe this reinforcement program will improve the quality of service and answer Fastlink's expansion needs for the near future. I highly value our partnership with Fastlink. Their openness to adopt new technologies has paved the way for creating a specialized team in Jordan ready and able to transfer advanced technologies to all countries in the Middle East."