NEC XON supplies gear to keep Ugandan Networks running

Tracey Townshend, Key Accounts Executive at NEC XON

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ATC selected equipment provided by NEC XON to ensure constant visibility of key tower infrastructure so that Ugandans have reliable access to critical internet services through their chosen carriers. ATC, which possesses an extensive network of tower infrastructure across Uganda, leases space to major carriers like MTN. The network, supporting millions of users, must remain operational at all times.

NEC XON provides robust hardware, including remote terminal units (RTUs), while ATC manages the software component. NEC XON's vendor-agnostic hardware was extensively tested and approved alongside the previous incumbent’s RTU, which had been in use for 12 years. ATC needs constant remote and comprehensive visibility of all tower sites. Tower companies can face high operating costs to ensure sites remain operational, and a reliable RTU ensures visibility and up-to-the-minute live data.
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Managing power, understanding which power source is in use, knowing when to refuel diesel generators at tower sites, knowing what expertise is needed at a site due to visibility and timeous reporting of faults and maintaining a workforce to meet service level agreements with carriers are critical components of managing these tower sites. Understanding equipment failures through smart meters, sensors, and IoT technology with effective bidirectional communication is crucial. A remote monitoring system (RMS) was required to optimise costs and improve preventive maintenance.

Using NEC XON’s units, ATC can view and collect data, measure fuel consumption, and determine whether a site is powered by solar, generator, or fuel. This capability enables proactive site management and maintenance, helping ATC to in some cases preempt and address outages before they occur.
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NEC XON provides remote monitoring units (RTUs) manufactured in Poland. NEC XON's hardware can integrate with any supplier, offering significant advantages for customers like ATC who prefer not to be restricted to a single vendor.

“Phase 1 was awarded in June 2021, with rollout starting in December 2021,” says Tracey Townshend, Key Accounts Executive at NEC XON. “Hundreds of sites have been implemented,” Townshend explains. The NEC XON-supplied equipment has proven so effective that ATC is currently testing the units in Nigeria.