Management

Network

NETWORK

In 2006 the installation and operation of the 1st Phase of the New Generation Network was completed with the creation of the Backbone Network, integrating our Organisation’s existing IP networks, and the expansion of the broadband copper network to rural areas.

We also began to implement the decision to create a single Distribution Centre for all the Organisation’s networks. This will be achieved through the importation and purchase of the Integrated Network Management System (INMS).

We issued a call for tenders for the procurement of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) equipment with the aim of providing converged fixed and mobile telephony. With the objective of providing high quality international communications, we transferred international telephony functionality to the softswitch network.

In 2006, agreement was reached on the construction of the MINERVA independent submarine cable subsystem between Cyprus and Italy with the potential for international expansion towards Western Europe and the USA.

Finally, we continued to install ADSL equipment closer to the premises of customers at some distance from telephone exchanges, thus providing more customers with access to our broadband services. We continued to install ADSL equipment in rural exchanges so as to provide broadband access to the residents of these areas.

CYTA’s New Generation Network
We are proceeding rapidly with our Organisation’s New Generation Network (NGN) with which CYTA is decisively moving away from its existing heterogeneous networks to an integrated product delivery platform based on IP/MPLS technology which will offer very high availability and easy management.

During 2006, the installation and operation of the 1st Phase of the New Generation Network was completed with the creation of the backbone network, integrating our Organisation’s existing IP networks, and the expansion of the broadband copper network to rural areas to support the i-choice and miVision services.

For the completion of Phase 2 of the NGN, a call for tenders has been launched which includes the creation of an aggregation network and the replacement of existing backbone network equipment. This phase will come into operation in 2007.

At the same time, we are proceeding with the supply of platforms for the introduction of converged fixed/mobile services and the provision of NGN business products in 2007.

INTEGRATED NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
In order to further streamline service assurance and fulfilment processes and to fully utilise the economies that result from activity concentration, CYTA has decided to integrate network management processes from different domains into a unified Network Operations Centre.  An important element in achieving this goal is the introduction of an Integrated Network Management System (INMS) based on the unified network and services management model (TMN).

FIXED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES NETWORKS
With the aim of providing converged fixed/mobile services, our Organisation, with the help of external consultants, issued and awarded a tender for the provision of an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). We drafted a detailed timetable and began the relevant work for implementing the 1st Phase of the project.

During the year under review, implementation of the evolution of CYTA's international switching network began with the transfer of international telephony functionality to the softswitch network, aiming at the provision of high quality communications with other countries. Furthermore, a preliminary study on implementing international telephony via packet switching technology and the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is under way.

The softswitch network was upgraded in order to support the SIP signalling protocol, aiming at its interconnection with IMS equipment and with the softswitch networks of foreign telecommunications organisations. The upgrading of the softswitch network enables interoperability with Multi Service Access Gateways (MSAGs) for the provision of narrowband services in addition to the broadband services that this equipment supports.

In 2006 our Organisation continued with the systematic extension and upgrading of its Network Management Centre applications. The Centre constitutes an integrated platform of fault management, traffic and signalling, via which the needs of the fixed and mobile networks are covered.

TRANSMISSION NETWORK
WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) and SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) technologies constitute the backbone of the transmission network, via which we provide our customers with a broad range of high quality, reliable services. In 2006, we developed via WDM technology the necessary infrastructure to support CYTA’s Next Generation Network and offered wavelength services (Lambda) to major business customers for the first time.

We proceeded to upgrade our satellite earth stations in order to satisfy the requirements of an international customer for the provision of VSAT services to Africa and Western Asia. We further extended the capabilities of our infrastructure through the purchase of satellite earth station MKR-9 from the Government.

INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES
In 2006, a total of seven international submarine fibre optic cable systems landing in Cyprus were in full operation:

• SEA-ME-WE 3 (Far East, Australia, Asia, Middle East, Europe)

• SEA-ME-WE 2 (Europe, Middle East, Asia)

• MED NAUTILUS (Italy, Israel, Greece)

• APHRODITE 2 (Greece)

• CIOS (Israel)

• CADMOS (Lebanon)

• UGARIT (Syria).

On 1 October 2006, the SEA-ME-WE 2 cable system was withdrawn from operation. During the year, an agreement was signed for the construction of MINERVA, an independent submarine cable subsystem between Cyprus and Italy, with further international extensions to Western Europe and the US. Upgrading of the CADMOS and UGARIT cable systems, currently in progress, is expected to meet the increasing telecommunication needs in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

CYTA’s submarine cable systems are complemented by two earth station sites with more than 20 satellite earth stations providing access to major satellite systems such as INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, ASIASAT, SES, NEW SKIES, INTERSPUTNIK and ARABSAT, ensuring CYTA’s ability to provide global connectivity.

Through its participation in these international facilities as well as in other regional and international cable systems, CYTA has already established a strategic position in the region. At the same time, it has upgraded Cyprus’ role as a telecommunications hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.

ACCESS NETWORK
In 2006 we continued to develop and upgrade the broadband access network with ADSL technology. Specifically:

• We continued to install outdoor DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) equipment at a distance from telephone exchanges and near customer premises, thus enabling more customers to access our broadband services including fast Internet access and interactive television (i-choice, NetRunner and miVision).

• We continued to install outdoor DSLAM equipment in a number of rural telephone exchanges, thus providing broadband access to residents in these areas.

• We continued to install additional internal equipment in urban and rural telephone exchanges in response to customer needs.

• We continued to upgrade our DSLAM software to enable the support of upgraded broadband services.

• We began a project to install optical fibre on customer premises on a trial basis.

At the same time, we further developed our optical network to enable the connection of remote units of DSLAMs to CYTA’s network.

During 2006 we continued with the implementation of a pressurisation and monitoring system in rural areas. This system allows us to achieve a drastic reduction in the number of faults and improvements to the electrical characteristics of copper lines, which in turn leads to reduced costs and improved network quality, as well as better quality of our broadband services.

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