NEC Australia wins Solomon Islands microwave backhaul deal

Solomon Telekom Company Limited (STCL), the major full service carrier of the Solomon Islands and branded as Our Telekom, has selected NEC Australia’s iPasolink IP microwave transmission technology as the core of a major network upgrade.

The upgrade will support over 100 base stations and extend the reach of the domestic fixed network services.

Additionally, NEC will provide ongoing training and design services to Our Telekom engineers and deliver a network management platform.

“This project is a key investment to grow the reach of broadband services and allow greater participation in the dramatic speed and latency benefits that will come with the future submarine cable,” said Keir Preedy, chief operating officer, Our Telekom.

Our Telekom will initially deploy the solution in three main provinces, with plans for future expansion to other provinces.

The systems will boost capacity to base stations in Malaita Province, one of the largest regions in the territory; Honiara Province, the Solomon Islands’ capital on Guadalcanal Island; and Western Province, which encompasses several islands.

In Malaita, NEC will supply and install backhaul links with an initial 500 Mbps capacity that is upgradeable to 1 Gbps with software licence, and a large number of last-mile links that will initially deliver 50-100 Mbps and connect to its existing and new base stations.

“NEC is a leader in microwave systems and we’re proud our technology will be at the heart of fixed line and mobile services in the Solomon Islands. We believe our proposal, supported by NEC’s class-leading, high-capacity iPASOLINK microwave radios, offers Our Telekom the best opportunity to achieve a cost-effective and rapid deployment,” said Dave Cooke, group manager, social infrastructure, NEC Australia.