Welcome
Virtua have over 20 years experience in the mobile telecommunications sector covering technical project management, engineering and integration. Expertise earned through working with major organisations
worldwide.
We are a leading provider of bespoke services to the telecoms, mobile telecoms and wireless industry but far more
importantly…
We are about great
People
, we have a greatPassion
about the services we provide and we have some great case studies of ourPerformance
.
The telecoms and wireless industry is a fast paced, constantly changing landscape. Consequently our greatest investment is in our people. They need to understand the latest trends, keep up with developing technologies and get to grips with new equipment on a daily basis. Our team of highly trained people has been put together because of their passion for the business and their ability to perform for our clients.
Design
Deployment
System
Engineering
Test & Optimisation
Program & Project
Management
Consultancy
Continue To View Our Services
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Introduction
Solutions
Introduction
Our design engineers use the latest technologies to create intelligent solutions in demanding situations. From iconic buildings in our own back yard and unremarkable office blocks in distant lands to countrywide infrastructure projects, our team of world leading designers are experts in all fields of RF and Wireless networks.
Vitally important though is the link between our design and deployment teams. We don’t just create design solutions, we create design solutions that are feasible and practical when it comes to installation and commissioning.
So whatever your design challenges, essentially, if you need to get some sort of telecommunications signal from one place to another, no matter what barriers exist our team will find a way.
Design
Advantages/Benefits
• Over 20 years experience confirming high quality design
• Industry leading tools ensuring the latest technologies are utilised • Bespoke solutions resolving a multitude of design difficulties • Full turnkey RF & Wireless solutions through to individual tasking • Vendor Agnostic to ensure our customers receive the best design
solutions
• IBwave Accredited design teams guaranteeing the highest standards
Sectors
Major Network Operator (MNO), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), Vendors/OEM’s,
Airports, Railways, Emergency Services, Office Buildings/
Campuses, Government, Defence, Transportation, Security, Health Care & Construction.
Solutions
Olympic Venue building – Multi-Operator & Emergency Services Design
The Shard – PMR System
20 Fenchurch Street – Multi-Operator Cellular system (2G/3G/4G) Kenya – Remote Desktop Designs
MNO– Gatwick Airport – system upgrade/re-design Fixed Mobile Convergence – 2500 sites in 18 months Rural – Mesh Network for control centre communications
Tech
Nemo Suite (Outdoor, Analyse, Handy)
TEMS Discovery
iBwave Design, 3D EM Propagation Tool 2G/3G/4G/PMR/WiFi
2G/3G & WiFi Transmitters
Airmagnet – Survey/Planner/WiFi Analyser
3D EM Propagation Modelling Survey & Design
RF Repeater/Booster Solutions Capacity Dimensioning
RF Coverage Solutions
Fibre Distributed Antenna Systems Site Evaluation
RF Simulations
Bespoke System Design LoS Surveys
Nominal Site Planning WiFi inc Mesh Networks PtP & PtMP Networks
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The scope of the project was to provide 2G & 3G iBwave propagation models, with complete cable overlays, system schematics, 3D models, bill of materials, and detailed link budgets for each of the sites and all based on our provided questionnaire and received CAD drawings from the customer.
Given the nature of this project, and the fast pace at which each site is rolled out, we were given a four day turn-around to complete and model each design.
Once we had developed the iBwave templates and confirmed the ‘In-Country’ guidelines, the first site was received. This building, consisted of 36 floors, of which 7 floors were heavily populated areas; the rest of the building being office space.
After modelling all the building according to the CAD drawings i.e. walls, obstacles, ceiling heights etc. the main DAS infrastructure could be designed. Knowing that this site had external macro dominance issues on the upper floors, we had to ensure that we compensated for this by increasing the proposed antenna RSSI/ CPICH values on these floors and then compared them with the existing macro coverage in this building to ensure IBS scheme dominance.
When the radio and DAS infrastructure was completed, the 2G and 3G propagation for the 121 antennas was initiated. This took several hours to complete due to the physical size of the model concerned, the inter-floor coupling and Interference modelling generated as a result. However the design was successfully completed and submitted.
The design was approved first time and we were notified that the build was underway.
Multi-Storey Offices
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Introduction
Solutions
Clever designs and modern technology require clever people to make them work. Our deployment teams work across all areas of telecommunications, installing, rigging and commissioning some of the most complex systems in existence.
With extensive knowledge of the latest systems, our engineers benefit from high quality project management that ensures their work in tough environments is completed on time, on budget and to the client’s satisfaction.
With the strong links between our deployment and design teams, any challenges or changes to the specification in the field can be instantly relayed back to our leading designers who are on hand to tweak and adjust designs to suit the needs of our clients.
MNO– Fixed Mobile Convergence, Design, I&C – 2200 in 18 months City of London Landmark Building – 252 antennas –
Multi-Operator system build
MNO - Olympics Park – Temporary Mobi-Cell Deployment Heathrow T2/T3 – System Upgrade
Ministry of Justice – System Deployment
Corporate/In-Building External Macrocells Industrial, Construction & Transportation
BTS installation & commissioning Electrical Installation – 17th edition certified, NICEIC approved standards
Sectors
Major Network Operator (MNO), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), Vendors/OEM’s, Airports, Railways, Emergency Services, Office Buildings/ Campuses, Government, Defence, Transportation, Security, Health Care & Construction.
Tech
Deployment
Installation Commissioning Integration Logistics Decommissioning Flexible Resourcing Rigging Electrical Certification Electrical Installation System MaintenanceAdvantages/Benefits
• Full Turn-Key solution minimising number of suppliers required • Dedicated H&S, Construction Design and Maintenance team • Steelwork Fabrication and Maintenance & Support, giving a full
end to end resolution
• Structural Appraisal surveys guarantee peace of mind • ISO 1801 Accreditation ensures full H+S Compliance
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Fixed Mobile Convergence
When a major UK Network Operator needed some specific expertise for the installation and commissioning of Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) technology for one of the
world’s foremost supermarket retail chains and its associated businesses, Virtua were there to provide exactly what was needed.
‘Fixed Mobile Convergence’ technology is set to revolutionise the way we do business. It won’t happen overnight, but over time, using FMC is quite likely to change
perceptions of how office space is allocated and how organisational communication can be optimised. There are many advantages of deploying this technology in
different business environments and sectors. In large retail stores the different floors of the building are able to communicate quickly and effectively whether to sort out a customer query or a stock order query. Also, individuals can be located quickly if they are needed urgently or messages can be quickly disseminated to all staff.
Virtua was turned to for assistance knowing that the team were both trusted partners and specialists in mobile radio design, installation and commissioning.
Because of their considerable experience in FMC technology, Virtua were able to assign the best possible people to the task. Virtua is not only familiar with this ‘new’ technology and had the necessary expertise available but also could provide flexible and scalable resources in a dynamic environment.
To date, large numbers of deployments have taken place. Over 1,600 sites have been successfully deployed with dozens more every week.
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Introduction
Solutions
Sectors
Major Network Operator (MNO), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), Vendors/OEM’s, Airports, Railways, Emergency Services, Office Buildings/ Campuses, Government, Defence, Transportation, Security, Health Care & Construction.
Tech
We live in a complex and ever changing world where the best laid plans can and frequently do go awry. The only solution is regular testing and optimisation.
Two distinct but perfectly compatible disciplines – test and optimisation allow our clients to ensure their telecommunications, RF and Wireless systems are in perfect working order. From an individual walking the city streets and high tech vehicles on patrol to teams deployed across complex sites, our test engineers know how to search for and ultimately fix problems that could cause network challenges.
Led by office based project management experts, our test teams can swiftly and effectively check and validate faults across all telecommunications services before suggesting, planning and implementing changes that will ensure the highest possible end user experience.
Due to ongoing changes to the UK’s mobile infrastructure, our test teams have developed a range of new services, which they would be delighted to demonstrate – particularly the reporting and validation processes which have proved so beneficial to our clients.
MNO– Handset/Validation Testing MNO – SRAN Drive Testing
MNO – Retail Store, Corporate Evaluations MVNO – Benchmarking M4 corridor
MNO – Dual Cell MIMO 64QAM Testing/Validation MNO – End user experience testing
Nemo Outdoor TEMS Discovery Nemo Analyze Nemo Handy iBwave Spectrum Analyser
Advantages/Benefits
• Industry leading expertise providing proficient resolutions
• Fully mobilised test fleet giving access to a multitude of tailored services
• Walk testing capabilities for inaccessible and pedestrian areas
• Confirmation of network operation and coverage
End User Experience Testing Evaluation Survey
Drive Testing PIM Testing
Comparative Survey Quality of Service
Handset Testing & Validation System Verification
Benchmarking Optimisation
Post Investigation Result Analysis
Test & Optimisation
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Drive Testing, what is it? Some people typically believe this to be an unskilled exercise; having one or two engineers in a vehicle, driving round and monitoring existing coverage levels for the MNO’s. However, the role demands very skilled individuals that can think on their feet.
Engineers that know the ‘rig’ inside and out, and can adapt the configuration to meet the customers’ requirements. At Virtua, we categorise drive testing into five different areas: There is (i) Drive Testing Measure service, (ii) MNO Network benchmarking, (iii) Post-Processing, (iv) Service Quality Monitoring and then the Optimisation & Troubleshooting service.
By measuring what a wireless network subscriber would experience in any specific area, MNO’s can make directed changes to the network in order to provide better coverage and service to their customers.
Working with a leading Equipment Vendor on a RAN Refresh project, Virtua demonstrated its
capability to conduct all the categorised areas of drive testing, and exceeded its range of products and services by improving and re-developing the current skill sets.
Typically, the RAN Refresh work consisted of ‘Pre’ and ‘Post’ measurement drives. By collecting statistics for the MNO, they could confirm that the project ‘Swap-Out’ was successful. In addition to this, multi-operator benchmarking was conducted so that the network could be improved. By
performing these tests, analysing the log files and reporting back our findings, the Equipment Vendor was able to carry out network changes and exceed the MNO’s requirements.
Virtua look forward to evolving its capability and testing competencies by working closely with the MNO’s and Equipment Vendors.
Drive Testing
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Introduction
Solutions
Sometimes the most complex situation requires the simplest solution – the intervention of a true expert. Our systems engineers have years (decades in some cases) of experience in the telecoms and wireless industry. The most experienced in our team will joke not just about a memory of telegrams… but also the impact 4G will have on our lives.
Our teams of systems engineers embed themselves in a client’s
infrastructure to understand their technical and logistical needs before providing ongoing services to ensure the various networks and systems are operating at the peak of their potential day after day.
From specification to installation, our systems engineers are supported by our project management teams to deliver ongoing solutions to all our clients.
Advantages/Benefits
• Over 20 years’ experience across numerous and varied projects
• Flexible and Versatile providing a wide range of skills
• Enhance Network Efficiency
• Vendor Agnostic so our customers receive high levels of service
• Maximise return on investment
Fixed Mobile Convergence – BSC Scripting, Database Support
MNO - LTE Network Rollout – Radio Network Planning, Advanced Radio
Small Cell – Product Development, System Fault Finding
Sectors
Major Network Operator (MNO), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), Vendors/OEM’s, Airports, Railways, Emergency Services, Office Buildings/ Campuses, Government, Defence, Transportation, Security, Health Care & Construction.
Tech
System Engineering
Atoll Spectrum Analyser TEMS NEMO MapInfo iBwaveBSC Scripting
Technology Model Tuning
Radio Network Planning
Advanced Radio/System Fault Finding
Area Profiling
Equipment Specifications
Quality of Service (QoS)
NMC & NOC Specialists
Interference Analysis
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When Virtua were invited to ‘troubleshoot’ a major network provider, we started by placing several expert teams. They were detailed on a daily basis, our engineers performed a number of voice and data tests, analysed and then reported back the findings. Because of previous project experience, this troubleshooting exercise took our teams into buildings that had existing coverage schemes deployed and POI sites, such as train stations. The teams excelled by fault finding correctly in each scenario, and on some occasions, finding issues that the Equipment Vendor and/or MNO were not aware of.
Because of Virtua’s capability, and highly skilled engineers, our team was given the lead role to perform high speed data testing scenarios. The remit for this work was to test, analyse and load specific sites that had HSPA+DC (64QAM, Dual Cell, MIMO) transmissions. By working closely with the Equipment Vendors network architects, we were able to write varying scopes of testing in order to fully test this capability. The majority of the testing was conducted ‘Out Of Hours’ in order to
compensate for any live cell loading, so there were many late nights, but worth it with the results that we gathered.
In addition to this testing, we conducted IP trace capture using approved software in order for the team to analyse the captured network packets recorded from our tests. This aided the Equipment Vendor to troubleshoot any network problems, and to be able to debug and learn the network
protocols. This in return meant that the excellent work Virtua left behind could be continued to solve future problems.
Voice and Data Troubleshooting
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Introduction
Solutions
Sectors
Major Network Operator (MNO), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), Vendors/OEM’s, Airports, Railways, Emergency Services, Office Buildings/ Campuses, Government, Defence, Transportation, Security, Health Care & Construction.
Few industries change as quickly as the telecoms industry. With increasing usage comes the need for increasing capacity – the result is ever more complex systems and technology to make it all happen.
Few industries change as quickly as the telecoms industry. With increasing usage comes the need for increasing capacity – the result is ever more complex systems and technology to make it all happen.
From simple equipment upgrades to international infrastructure changes, any form of project needs to be carefully handled and executed in a way that ensures it is delivered on time and on budget. The only way to achieve this is through a dedicated project management resource. We firmly believe that project management is a profession rather than just a skill. It is integral to all the work we undertake for clients. Guaranteeing we run to plan, whilst keeping up to date with all the needs of our clients.
Advantages/Benefits
• Virtua get it right – first time, on time, and on budget
• Prince2 Practitioner and Six Sigma certified personnel
• Customer focused and results driven
MNO – Circuit Migration
MNO – LTE network rollout
Public Sector Network – Product Development
Fixed Mobile Convergence – Project Delivery
Program & Project Management
Report and Tracking Scheduling
Turn-Key Solutions Health and Safety
Environment & Quality Support Risk Management
Managed Services
Rollout Strategy & Implementation
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PM - A Team Effort
So what is Project Management? Is it really a minefield of jargon and bureaucracy as many people make out? The Virtua answer is absolutely not. There are proven techniques available to help plan and manage a project in order to make it successful.
When Virtua was awarded the survey, design, IC&I on a Low Power GSM project for over 1,600 sites, the full team were involved in the planning of this project. The team owns the project, and not the manager. The team identifies the tasks and they make realistic, achievable deliveries. The objective is always to manage and exceed our customer’s expectations.
After we had lined up all the tasks in the right order, we established links and relationships between each task. This was a complex project that required a number of different activities to be run in parallel. Such independent parts of the project needed particularly careful consideration and planning. The detailed project plan enabled us to schedule, resource, cost and budget – all part of Project Management and
reporting. In our opinion, the important aspect of project planning and control is ‘Communication’ – both internally and externally. That’s why, from the start, our people and our customer knew what was happening at all times. It helps them obtain essential support, agreement and commitment.
At Virtua, project management is a team effort. That’s why we made sure that we appointed the right
people, who could maximise the project’s potential and contribute effectively by ensuring they understood the strategy clearly, and ultimately the end goal.
Ensuring our customer had the right involvement and communication, which are vital for cooperation and support, we could guarantee that the stability of the project wasn’t affected, and with a ‘one team’ approach, we were confident that the project would run as smoothly as possible.
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Introduction
Solutions
Sectors
Major Network Operator (MNO), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), Vendors/OEM’s, Airports, Railways, Emergency Services, Office Buildings/ Campuses, Government, Defence, Transportation, Security, Health Care & Construction.
Consultancy
Why keep all our skills and knowledge to ourselves? As leaders in the Telecoms, RF and Wireless field we know how to do a job properly. We have the skills and resources to undertake highly complex projects requiring planning, logistics and technical knowledge. As consultants to the industry we regularly share our knowledge, creating best
practices for all around us and ensuring that we are all working together for the benefit of the ultimate client and end user – the general public.
Network Strategy
Vendor Analysis
Spectrum Analysis
Technical Consultancy
H&S Advice
PM Methodology
RFP/RFQ Response
Network Architecture
LTE Advice
Resourcing
Interference Analysis
Elevator Study – to provide dedicated cellular (2G/3G/4G) coverage to 14 lifts in a 39 floor high rise building.
Handset Validation Testing – Fixed Mobile Convergence MVNO Validation – Technical Consultancy
MNO Network Rollout – PM Methodology, Application and Data Fill
Advantages/Benefits
• Wealth of expertise in the world of Telecoms so we can advise direction, strategy and planning
• Industry leaders in providing multi-vendor, all technology consultancy services
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When it comes to high quality telecommunications services, no organisation needs constant reliability more than the emergency services.
When a major public safety network operator decided to improve and upgrade the network, the need to thoroughly test and prove the integrity of the network was paramount. For this reason, the operator turned to Virtua to supply the expertise needed. Not only was the network and its systems extensive and complex, but the regional nature of the customer’s approving authorities meant that to build, test and then deploy its dedicated network configuration in many different control rooms across the country was a challenge. These regional authorities have different set ups, configurations and people requiring bespoke technical solutions and configurations tailored to the geography and specifics of the area.
Much of the testing needed to emulate real world situations as closely as possible - for example actually making calls from emergency service vehicles. This meant that not only did the Virtua team need to be technically competent but they also needed the essential diplomatic and social skills to interact with people - and at the same time cause minimum disruption to their day to day work.
In addition to providing centralised Programme Management, Virtua also set up the testing functions and engineering support. They also took responsibility for the production of all the test results data with the assistance of a dedicated back office support capability.
This could not have been achieved without the enormous flexibility that Virtua provided to their client as many sub-projects tended to overlap which might otherwise have been a logistical nightmare. The results are clear and very reassuring. The emergency services now have a state of the art communications system that can, and will, save lives.
Emergency Expertise
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People Passion Performance
Virtua UK Ltd was established in 2002
Privately owned and managed by original management team Acquired Custom Communication Systems Group in May 2013, strengthening our portfolio of resources and services
Our delivery and performance have created a reputation that grows with each completed project
Our resources, people and knowledge are delivered to you in a commercially flexible way
Our portfolio also offers the following services for:
•
TETRA•
GSM•
GSM-R•
UMTS•
FMC“We are there when you need us and deployed elsewhere when you don’t”
- The Virtua Team
•
PMR•
LTE•
Femtocell•
Wi-Fi•
WiMAX