National Fiber Optic Backbone

LIBTELCO's Plan for a National Fiber Optic Backbone for Liberia

1.3 Phase 1c (Contuined from Page 1)

The network will be extended to Bomi Mines, Bong Mines and the Port of Buchanan through the deployment of new ducts, fiber, poles and aerial fiber interface equipment. The proposed solution is based on trenching, but airborne fiber may be an option, subject to proper survey of the land (to be agreed). The complete scope for Phase 1 is indicated below, showing both ring and linear chain network topology.

1.4 Argument against Parallel Networks
When designing Fiber Optic Network Topology, the typical designs are linear chains, self healing rings, tree structure, mesh structure, star structure or digital cross interconnected rings. It is not best international practice to build parallel linear chain networks (parallel networks) within the same ducts.

Parallel networks are not economical in Liberia. The reason is that, within Liberia there is a significant requirement for network expansion so that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) reaches to the farthest interior regions of Liberia.

These interior regions happen to host major business concessions and are populated with both management and labor class consumers who have high demand for ICT services.

Allowing private providers to build a parallel network within the ducts would not encourage competition and would suffer the infrastructure growth and time.

What is encouraged is the provision of managed services on the fiber network or leasing dark fiber.

Cost

Precedence for other providers
LIBTELCO sets a good precedence by building a singular fiber optic network which does not encourage parallel networks. Other providers may interconnect to the fiber ring by purchasing managed services or dark fiber access.

Limitation of available duct
Among the limitations of the available ducts includes the coverage area of the duct (See diagram above). The owner / responsible party service level and operational level agreements (SLA/OLA) will authorize a single service provider to be accountable for the ducts.

Practicality
The proposed design offers the most practicality, ensuring an equal access high performance network.

11.5 Resilience
The network will support standard SNC-P protection for TDM circuits and Ethernet Protection for E-Line type services.

The Access PoP / CPE (customer premise equipment) provides a limited number of interfaces (<16 x E1) at the edge of the network, which are needed to connect clients to the Liberia NBN. The service is typically located at the customer premises, and the clients may be Large Enterprises or Mobile Access Nodes.

The Metro PoP is a core node, and is an integral part of the Monrovia Metro Ring. This portion of the network will be built in a ring structure to improve network resilience. The Metro PoP will also offer direct access through TDM and Ethernet Interfaces ranging from E1 to 10GE. Both native Ethernet and TDM connectivity services will be supported. The LIBTELCO Switch Center will also be implemented as a Metro PoP.

The 2nd Level PoP implements the same functionality as the Metro PoP, but is a smaller more cost-effective version. The 2nd Level PoP will e.g. connect Bomi Mines, Bong Mines and Port of Buchanan to the Monrovia Metro Ring. Service requirements are unspecified at this point, but we assume a need for both TDM and Ethernet services.

The proposed solution will be able to support STM-N Transport, GE/10GE Transport, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the solution will support Circuit Emulation of TDM Services, NG-SDH and native Ethernet and TDM switching in the same converged Packet Optical Solution, hence offering maximum flexibility and migration options.

1.6 Services
LIBTELCO is committed to provide licensed service providers equal access to the infrastructure. Below are the two (2) access options to the infrastructure.

1. Managed Network
LIBTELCO will provide point to point (P2P), point to multi-point fiber optic connectivity on the ring network. This managed service includes the following features.

• IP Address

• Internet Access

• Network Bandwidth Management

• Network Security

• Carrier class Ethernet services

• Virtual Private Network (VPN)

2. DarkFiber
Dark Fiber refers to purchasing access to unlit fiber optic cables which are typically installed for future usage, for network redundancy or for upgrading capacity and technology. Licensed providers may purchase access to various sizes of:

• Fiber Bundle

• Fiber Cores

LTA licensed operators are strongly encouraged to contract Libtelco to discuss plans for access to ACE fiber optic cable system and work out details for connectivity to their primary locations.

1.8 Way Forward

LIBTELCO is currently engaged in advanced discussions with major international suppliers to build and manage the entire fiber backbone. The resulting engagement will ensure fair and equal access to all operators. Phase 1 (Metro Monrovia and environs) is slated to be completed by December 2012. Phase 1 serves as the primary distribution network for access to the ACE submarine cable network.

Interested parties should contact:
LIBTELCO Engineering & Business Management National Backbone Network (NBN) Office: +231 (0) 20-555-7200 Email: vdennis@libtelco.com.lr