- Telecom
SP Energy Networks’ existing telecommunications network was based on a legacy PDH/SDH system that had been in place for over 30 years.
This network had grown organically over time with minimal future planning, leading to several issues.
Following a fire in 2018, it was prompted that the network needed a modern solution.
Our team were needed to conceptualise and implement a new, modern network solution. This included:
• Conducting a thorough analysis of existing networks and services.
• Developing a comprehensive solution design.
• Running equipment trials and testing for over six months.
• Issuing an Invitation to Tender (ITT) and Best and Final Offer (BAFO) with prospective vendors for six months.
• Generating an all-encompassing high-level design.
During the project, our team:
• Designed and implemented five brand new Multiprotocol Label Switching-Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) ring networks, creating a 100% optical network.
• Ensuring hitless switching for all services and separate networks based on voltage levels, with dual networks for each level.
• Adding additional network clocks for synchronisation, including specialised design and planning.
• Establishing independent, dedicated, and redundant management platforms.
• Fully reconfiguring and separating the existing fibre infrastructure and installing new fibre connections where needed.
These changes ensured full redundancy, diversity, and separation, creating a modern network capable of expanding to support future technologies.
The project achieved significant milestones, including:
• Over 100 fibre network changes in the substation compounds.
• More than 30 km of new build fibre routes.
• Installation of over 280 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) cabinets and 72-hour Black Start DC chargers.
• Pre-staging of 200 off-site MPLS-TP nodes and installation of 80 MPLS-TP nodes.
• The use of 10 management platforms and 2 network clocks for synchronisation.
• Completion of over 500 change requests and 450 service configurations and tests, along with 250 link configurations and tests.
The end result was a future-proofed, modern network that offered better resilience through hitless switching and separation and increased bandwidth availability, providing opportunities for future expansion.
