EriTel Poised Towards 3G

EriTel Poised Towards 3G

Rahel Asgedom

Communication is the process of sharing ideas, information, and messages with others in a particular time and place. Communication includes writing and talking, as well as nonverbal communication (such as facial expressions, body language, or gestures), visual communication (the use of images or pictures, such as painting, photography, video, or film), and electronic communication (telephone calls, electronic mail, cable television, or satellite broadcasts). Communication is a vital part of personal life and is also important in business, education, and any other situation where people encounter each other.

From the earliest times, people have needed to communicate across distance or over time. Since the beginnings of writing, communication media have allowed messages to travel over distance and time. A communication medium is a means for recording and transporting a message or information. The telephone network also uses both wire line and wireless methods to deliver voice communications between people, and data communications between computers and people or other computers. The part of the telephone network that currently serves individual residences and many businesses operates in an analog mode, uses copper wires, and relays electronic signals that are continuous, such as the human voice.

The Eritrean Telecommunication has been exerting efforts as to enhance communication network throughout the country. The year 2010 was a transformation stage for the corporation. Thus, having been engaged in the first phase of infrastructure development plan for long, it has now completed installing the necessary infrastructure in 2009. A lot of energy was concentrated on evaluating and assessing the plan in the wake of finalization. Likewise, some small-scale projects were also undertaken, stated Engineer Tekle Weldeselassie, Head of the Commercial Division in EriTel. “In this manner we have laid conducive ground for future expansion of communication system. Moreover, we introduced ADSL–asymmetrical digital subscriber line–for the Internet connectivity purposes and for monitoring clients. As a result, we managed to entertain more customers in 2010 through mobile, landline and wireless telephones, added Engineer Tekle.

He further said, “We have entirely finished working and evaluating the first phase on top of installing the requisite network to a large extent in the year 2010. It was also in this year that we refurbished our networks, switch’s, transformation lines, as well as transformation system that extends from Asmara through Massawa to Assab. Also, the lines that extend from Asmara past Tekera down to Tesseni and southern region–Mendefera, Adi quala and Senafe–are rendering commendable service. Therefore, we are establishing the groundwork for future communications network system.”

In order to help the customers or users, the Eritrean Telecommunication service Corporation is putting its utmost effort towards bringing efficient communication system in every corner of the nation. The EriTel provides communication services through landline, mobile and fixed wireless telephones to its customers. As such, the telecommunication has some base stations in some cities or villages so as to render efficient and well-organized communication network for the country.

Indicating different projects were implemented in 2010, Engineer Tekle further went on to say that in the Central Region, for instance, the capacity of around 22 mobile base stations that have been rendering service is now upgraded almost from scratch. “In Asmara, there is busy network line, and especially, in the evening hours–around 6:00 P.M. thus we have tried to expand the line in the city. Similarly, we have been boosting the capacity in some regions such as Dekemhare, Tesenei, Mendefera, and Massawa. Accordingly, seven new base stations were also constructed to satisfy the needs of our clients in Merhano, Tsaéda Kristian, Bisha, Foro, Massawa and so forth. This will definetly increase the number of users or clients of the communication line,” said Engineer Tekle.

The second phase of the infrastructure plan, according to Engineer Tekle, is to replace the 2nd generation–2G–bandwidth to 3G–a wireless communications technology–designed with a view to providing high-speed Internet access and transmission of text, digitized voice, video, and multimedia. 10 base stations are already upgraded to 3G and would accommodate future communications development. In keeping with the effort to expand the mobile network system, the Eritrean telecommunication is striving to meet the universal service audition approach, which entitles every human race in the respective country the right to communicate whether he/she lives in urban or rural or even leads non- sedentary life. We are working under this concept even though some of the service is not gainful.”

Similarly, the corporation has made some researches in the coverage of networks in several places, especially in the Southern Region around the western part of Adi-Quala, and in the Anseba region from Keren to Zara. And hence, when the contractors are found, we will start working in the surveyed areas, he further emphasized. Preparations are underway to install fiber optic cables. The clarity of international calls is progressing from time to time in collaboration with other corporations.

The Massawa-Forto can constitute a significant cell for communication network. Apparently, the telecommunication is rendering services in three lines the fixed, mobile and fixed wireless telephones. To this end, the government has given high priority in 2010 for landline and fixed wireless telephones in Massawa around Tiwalet to the Eritrean Telecommunication. It takes a long time to transfer to fiber optic, upgrade the switches and other transformation equipment’s. The international calls or voice calls is increasing each day. In collaboration with other corresponding carriers such as Telecom Italia and Saudi, the corporation has enhanced the capacity. Towers were also pitched in Forto and Dahlak, according to Engineer Tekle.

The telecom industry has to be updated every two years for it brings new developments and changes. Therefore, the Eritrean telecommunication corporation gives trainings to its staff in a bid to promote their potentials by means of local or international trainers, thereby keeping pace with the fast changing communication network. Metropolitan network is also among the second stage infrastructure plans; it is communication through passive fiber.

There is a plan to introduce these kinds of communication service on the important parts of the nation, for instance, in the free zone area and ports of Massawa and in Asmara where intensive activities are carried out. Government offices, banks and insurance could use the line so as to boost fast data transfer among the sectors. Consequently, he went on to say that the corporation will work diligently in improving the availability of the networks as well as its actuality. Likewise, the Eritrean telecommunication service corporation will strive to the end until all its customers will have all their demands and needs in all corners of the nation. “We have accomplished various projects effectively. Nevertheless, we could not say that there aren’t any shortcomings that need to be addressed, in this respect our efforts would be further intensified to successfully execute the remaining tasks, said Engineer Tekle Weldselassie.

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