RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Performance Areas
Task Complexity:
Strategy Development
Support development of Radio Network strategies and key technology projects
Support translation of the network and radio strategies into both long range and near term plans and drive the execution of these plans within the regional teams
Support HO with regional access network controller node as well as Site Capacity planning to ensure the nodes’ provision for sufficient capacity and support future technologies and features as well as marketing initiatives within budget constraints
Assist and support a regional training and development strategy for regional Planning team members.
Support development of regional strategy for network roll-out as well as quality improvements
Escalate and advise on proposals for MSP improvements
Planning & Delivery:
Produce detailed and comprehensive designs for regional radio network planning with consideration of the requirements of radio optimisation
Ensure implementation of regional radio network planning and optimisation support plans are carried out fully and integration into the live network
Align planning with other functions
Research, investigate, test and evaluate and implement all technologies, features and processes which will result in improvement of the quality of the network and without compromising its profitability. This could be in the form of direct involvement and/or strategic support.
Forecast traffic and capacity requirements against organic as well as forecasted Network Requirements
Translate high level plan to low level design as well as specify detailed configuration setting of design
Identify geographical location for equipment to be installed: Planning the growth of the radio network considering general engineering principles, analysis & interpretation of network statistics, geolocated coverage and quality statistics, knowledge of market requirements & profitability
Planning of Radio sites: (including but not limited to 2G/3G/4G and Wifi)
Achieve most effective design of RF installation to satisfy the demands of the market while delivering satisfactory return on investment
Consider cost of installation, market requirements and expected traffic, environmental management legislation and knowledge of the existing radio access network
Specify hardware/software requirements in advance for implementation
Specify testing requirements and ensure testing by relevant parties
Evaluate site integration process for sites as well as support Site Acceptance
Ensure that routine performance of network audits is done i.e. drive testing, configuration audits, etc
Assist in testing and approval of any new equipment to be used in the radio network
Responsible for the Radio Parameters of the live network (2G/3G/$g…) and the integrity thereof.
Testing and monitoring network performance
Ensure quality is of high priority in planning and execution of projects in what both the MSP (Managed services provider) as well as Planning Teams do
Control the regional management of WLA (Working Level Agreements) and ensure that the SLA (Service level agreements) is applied between internal and MSP
Interact and act as go-between various departments i.e. Planning and Optimisation, MSP and Complaints centre/ Customer services. P10
Obtain special event warnings/notifications and plan accordingly – and early MSP warning
Arrange Special event monitoring (if required).
Ensure projects are prioritised in accordance with MSP, Marketing, Healthindex impact, Complaints (VIP) feedback/input, etc.
Maintain sufficient Radio Capacity Headroom; perform own Capacity dimensioning as well as MSP vendor Capacity suggestion vetting
Ensure proper Capacity execution management and PM (Project Management) interaction (MTN and any other Operator (i.e. Project Green)) – upgrades and sites; prioritisation; escalate if required
Monitor Enforcement of focus on customer complaints and perform as the Regional Complaints Radio P&O SPOC – crucial team keeps a close tab on customer experience
Development of 3G & 4G technologies to alleviate MTN’s 2G technology utilization and Spectrum load.
Network Optimisation & Performance:
Strengthen the Network. This includes Primary and Secondary KPI’s, Worst performing cells and Data and Network Discrepancies as well coverage improvement through Automatic Cell Planning (ACP)
Provide continuous improvement from the radio department and feedback to confirm that plans meet objectives
Monitor worst cells for the RAN 2G/3G/4G, and escalate for relevant short term (optimisation) as well as long term (planning) resolution
Escalate network performance impacting issues with Operations dept (REs, HLS, DCG, CNO, BSS), MSP and HQ
Review of design and drive optimisation changes
Suggest/ vet best radio network parameters for 2G/3G network to deploy
Ensure the integrity of cell parameters within the 2G/3G network
Ensure that network quality is monitored on a continual basis and service levels remain within the predefined KPI’s
Ensure guidance, assistance and high level support to Radio Planning and Optimisation Engineers on Radio network optimisation and performance issues as well as support in resolution of end-to-end network issues
Solving network problems through knowledge-sharing, experience in radio network design and operation, detailed knowledge of Radio system design and principles, as well as vendor specific operations
Providing guidance to aid the performance, growth and career development of those in the team
Analyse areas for improvement; identify possible solutions for improvement and escalate; provide inputs for improvement strategies
Assist with Area, Specific KPI improvement Prioritisation, and SLA revision formulation.
Assist in Device technology migration strategies and ensure radio network readiness
Ensure all team initiatives and decisions align towards Perfect-10 customer experience and are in the best interest of MTN.
Communication and co-ordination
Communicate plans and integrate feedback
Co-operate with and support other network group and departments at all levels (e.g. Property, Maintenance, SMC, etc.)
Cooperate with other Business Unit departments within MTN and external parties (e.g. Telkom and external software development houses such as Arieso, TEOCO)
Interface with Project Management and attend project management meetings to align site, Node as well as other project delivery to requirements.
Interface with vendors for various issues impacting the planning and optimisation tasks (e.g. Ericsson, Huawei etc)
Ensure co-ordination of radio optimisation and its implementation with those of core and transmission
Interfacing with MTN clients, e.g. landlords – presenting proposals on site builds, VIPs, Corporate and general customers when required
Co-operate and communicate regularly through meetings with vendors and ensure daily MSP interaction
Report on plans, status reviews and change approvals
Ensure measures for Site Requirement qualifications are in place, functional and applied.
Assist with the coordination and resolution of customer complaints across Various Teams ie NQC, MSP, etc.
Interface with the HQ based MSP governance teams.
Ensure sufficient and appropriate regional based drive testing/ field visits to assure better understanding in site planning.
Ensure support tools function or escalate with constructive support if this is not the case.
Financial Management:
Support RH and HO in ensuring regional network budgets are optimised for investment where necessary
Continuously strive to identify and eliminate non-contributory expenditure
Ensure sites deployed provide maximum ROI
Continuously strive to identify and eliminate non-contributory expenditure
Identify low ROI areas and assist marketing and other initiatives to support ROI improvement
Technology Competencies:
Very good knowledge of radio network planning & optimisation techniques
Very good understanding of radio network planning tools
Profound understanding of the Radio Network planning process
Very good understanding of the frequency planning and refarming process
Understand drive test tools well
Very good knowledge of radio technology including GSM,UMTS, LTE and Wifi
Detailed knowledge of Radio system design and principles, the Logical and Physical layers of radio interface and RF propagation principles
Good understanding of the operational level of the BSS, RNS including UTRAN and eUTRAN and Wifi access networks
Understanding of wider trends in the international and local telecoms industry, incl. latest technological and market developments in relation to all aspects of Network Planning and Optimisation as well as offload of 2G to 2G/4G and Wifi
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Minimum of 3 year degree/diploma in BSc Electric/Electronic Engineering
Fluent in English and language of country preferable
Experience:
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Radio Planning & Optimisation. GSM and/or UMTS experience is a prerequisite
Experience in supervising others
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