Compared to the big four telecom operators competing in the Brazilian market, Algar Telecom, a division of the Algar Group that operates the CTBC brand, is a much smaller and niche carrier.
However, history has shown Algar Telecom to be an innovative carrier. It is currently conducting 3G offload and LTE trials, has its backbone IPv6-ready, has unveiled wired Internet services providing data speeds up to 100 megabits per second and a high-definition pay-television service. This last move was part of Algar’s attempt to diversify its product offerings.
The carrier is also evaluating its participation in Brazil’s 4G auctions, which are scheduled for next May. Recently in an exclusive interview with RCR Wireless News, Algar Telecom’s director Luís Antônio Andrade Lima explained network trials are being conducted to check network performance and to address future demands. The LTE trials began in the second half of 2011, in partnership with Ericsson.
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The carrier also said the 3G offload trial also was on track.
Although it is not too familiar among Brazilian providers, which indeed have done some trials, Lima said Algar Telecom’s 3G offload project started back in 2009 with some clients in which it installed Wi-Fi to offload 3G traffic at some sites.
“The natural trend is people wanting connections everywhere, so we must address their needs,” Lima expained. “One good way is combining fixed and mobile networks. Using Wi-Fi hotspots help to offload traffic when customers are not moving.”
Algar Telecom said its goal is to reach about 300 hot spots this year in Minas Gerais’ Uberaba, Uberlandia and Franca regions; and in São Paulo. The company want’s to increase that deployment to reach 2,500 hot spots over the next three years. “We aim to build a big mesh Wi-Fi network to deliver more broadband quality,” added Lima.
Network upgrade
In addition to LTE trials, Algar Telecom last November launched HSPA+ services in 19 cities in Minas Gerais state where the carrier had not previously operated. The HSPA+ service was launched using 1.9/2.1 GHz spectrum in the H Band with Ericsson as the equipment supplier.
Algar Telecom expects to further upgrade its network to HSPA= in other markets through the end of 2013 using equipment from Chinese vendor Huawei.
“We aim to upgrade to HSPA+ before moving to LTE,” noted Lima. To use HSPA+ as an intermediate technology before moving to LTE is a natural move as the implementation of HSPA+ is typically a software upgrade compared with the new network required for LTE.
For this year Lima noted the importance of the 4G auction to enhance the operator’s competitive position it the Brazilian market. In addition, he said the company has been working since 2006 on a process of modernizing its network to all IP.
“We have to provide access to our customers no matter through what form. We have to provide greater integration and it needs to be imperceptible to them,” noted Lima.
