Strategic Network Planning & Greenfield Deployment: Myanmar Telenor MBB Network

By David Lorame - Ex-Huawei & Ex-Cisco Technical Expert
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This case study is an authentic narrative synthesized from the first-hand project planning and delivery led by David Lorame-a former Huawei technical expert and current Technical Director at Network-Switch.com-during the Myanmar Telenor nationwide Mobile Broadband (MBB) greenfield deployment.

Driven by the strategic goal to capitalize on Myanmar's newly deregulated telecom market and provide nationwide connectivity, the project delivered a brand-new, comprehensive mobile communication ecosystem spanning 676,578 square kilometers to serve a population of 51.4 million.

David directly spearheaded the strategic planning and implementation of the mission-critical three-domain architecture-comprising the containerized Mobile Core Network, the Radio Access Network (RAN), and a highly complex hybrid Mobile Bearer Network-ensuring the rapid, cost-effective deployment met the most rigorous carrier-grade standards.

Major Business & Geographical Challenges

Greenfield Nationwide Deployment

Entering a monopolized market with extremely low internet penetration, Telenor had to build a network entirely from scratch. This massive undertaking required establishing connectivity across diverse and challenging terrains, including historically autonomous and mountainous minority regions.

Strict CAPEX & OPEX Control

The primary challenge was establishing a massive physical infrastructure while strictly controlling capital and operational expenditures. To achieve this, the core strategy dictated maximizing the leasing of existing resources, minimizing self-building, and co-locating equipment wherever physically possible.

Precision Multi-Domain Allocation

Executing this highly pragmatic, cost-effective strategy required extraordinary precision in mapping and resource allocation. Engineers had to flawlessly coordinate physical and logical infrastructure across all three critical network layers: the Mobile Core, the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the Bearer domains.

Pre-Project Survey & Strategic Planning

Radio Access Network RF Simulation

Engineers utilized detailed maps to run Radio Frequency (RF) simulations. The goal was to intentionally overlap new 4G site coordinates with MPT's existing sites, allowing Telenor to lease existing tower space and significantly reduce new construction costs. Device selection included Macro, Micro, Pico, and Femto base stations tailored to specific capacity needs.

Bearer Network Mapping via Google

The physical bearer layer was visually mapped using Google Earth. RAN sites, Core sites, and MPT's existing fiber/WDM nodes were imported into distinct layers. Engineers mapped new microwave and datacom access points, exclusively planning expensive new fiber trenches only where existing MPT optical paths failed to form necessary network rings.

Core Network Site Selection

Rejecting MPT's outdated core resources, Telenor acquired land in Yangon to self-build two core network facilities. These sites were strategically located within 1 kilometer of MPT's backbone fiber nodes to ensure seamless upstream connectivity.

Equipment Installation & Rapid Deployment

Containerized Core Architecture

Telenor adopted a highly modular, containerized mobile core solution engineered for an initial 5 million users, with the capacity to scale up to 20 million. To maximize efficiency, all internal hardware integration was completed entirely at the factory.

Plug-and-Play Site Delivery

To meet aggressive rollout timelines, the physical on-site deployment was drastically simplified. Upon delivery to the prepared sites, the core containers merely required hoisting into position, connecting to the local power grid, and splicing the optical cables.

Standardized Edge Integration

At the network edge, deployment teams utilized standardized design templates and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This approach streamlined the rapid and consistent integration of complex, mixed-hardware sites that combined Wireless, Microwave, and Datacom equipment.

Logical Debugging & QoS Integration

Full-IP Business Logic Integration

Following the physical hardware installation, the system integration phase focused on transitioning from physical connections to mapping the business logic across the completely IP-based 4G architecture.

Strict QoS Mapping Hierarchy

Executed layer-by-layer Quality of Service mapping. Parameters from wireless base stations were mapped to Layer 3 Microwave MPLS QoS, sequentially translated to Layer 3 Convergence Datacom MPLS QoS, and finally aligned with Mobile Core traffic policies.

Zero-Degradation Traffic Delivery

This rigorous, end-to-end translation hierarchy was engineered to guarantee overall network performance. It ensured that high-priority voice and data traffic seamlessly traversed the complex hybrid physical network without any degradation.

Benefits of this Case

Expertise_Reliability

Expertise & Reliability

Professional technical team provides customized service, precise implementation plan, and professional after-sale service to ensure best performance and uptime.

Cost_Efficiency

Cost Efficiency

Faster deployment and rapid time to value Integrated project management from development to roll out to reduce capex and opex with predictable costs and ROI maximiize.

Flexibility_Scalability

Flexibility & Scalability

Modular, future-ready architecture with an unrivaled design allows for business growth and technology changes while maintaining your initial investment.

Operational_Simplicity

Operational Simplicity

Turnkey solutions that make network and infrastructure management easy, less complex and freeing up IT to concentrate elective efforts on strategic initiatives.

Post-Project Maintenance & Network Security

To ensure long-term operational sustainability without inflating OPEX, innovative maintenance and security frameworks were implemented.

Building an independent Out-of-Band (OOB) management network nationwide was deemed cost-prohibitive. Instead, all network administration was routed through in-band management channels, centralized at the Network Operations Center (NOC). Security was enforced through strict firewalls at server cluster gateways, mandatory remote authentication for site access, and the systematic closure of all non-essential external network interfaces.

Consult Our Engineering Experts

For further information on Greenfield network planning, RF simulation strategies, or to acquire the enterprise-grade datacom and optical transmission equipment required for massive carrier-grade rollouts, download our comprehensive technical datasheets. We actively partner with localized distributors who operate physical storefronts and maintain local inventory across different countries, empowering you to deliver high-performance hardware and agile delivery to your regional telecom clients. Contact the engineering team at Network-Switch.com to secure the strategic support your next major deployment demands.

White Paper

For further information on the network architectures and deployment procedures cited here, we have compiled a more detailed, downloadable whitepaper. We can also provide comprehensive technical datasheets for the enterprise-grade switches, firewalls, and routing equipment required to execute these high-density deployments.

White Paper - Myanmar Telenor MBB Network

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