BONGA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGEENERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Name of Organization: Ethio telecom

Title: Hardware maintenance and all over operations on ethio telecom

Duration of practical attachment: - From 20/11/16E.C to 04/01/17E.C

Name of student:1. Yawukal Addis Ayele Id-No316/14

2. Yohannes yeneakal id 1731/14

3. Ayana Gebreeyesus id 3560/14

DEPARTMENT ADVISOR. MR. Amsalu T.

Bonga, Ethiopia
DECLARATION
we are 4th year Computer Science students in Bonga University and we had our internship
program at Ethio telecom (hosting company) for a period of 24/11/2016 to 04/01/2016 E.C under
the guidance of company advisor. This report details the work we performed during our
industrial practice period, we would like to declare our working tasks within the company and all
the tasks that we had done during the internship. The report features North Western region Ethio
telecom description including several telecommunication sectors, to make clear communication
for subscribers by solving communication challenges of this region. We are certifying that our
work is original and compiled.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all we would like to express thanks to Almighty God. Second, we would also like to
thank Bonga University for organizing the industrial practice program at all for computer science
students. Again we show appreciation to North-Western regional Ethio-telecom for permitting
me to be trained with their company. I would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Amsalu tesema
the Computer Science Department Head. And also I would like to give special thanks to our
supervisor Mersha for assisting us by sharing his knowledge and experience throughout the
working time in our industrial practice duration. And also we would like to show gratitude to
other North-western regional Ethio-telecom workers that gave their knowledge and other efforts
to make us perfect with works.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An internship is a work related learning experience for individuals who wish to develop hands on
work experience in a certain occupational field. In order to take both the theory and practice in to
account it helps students to develop the spirits of self-supporting hard working and experience.
Through this industrial practice students are able to learn the techniques relevant to the
profession as well as the practical management skills.
Industry-Based Training program is a means of achieving professional relevance to industrial
needs and to the community at large. Industrial Attachment is a very crucial component in the
undergraduate engineering program where students are sent to work in a real-life setting. In this
program I was attached full time in the company for about almost two months to work in the real
world.

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It integrates both training and performance evaluation as part of program requirements. This
program allows us to gain in the job training and work professionalism to prepare ourselves to
prepare effectively as soon as.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction
This report describes a Two- month internship at Debretabor Ethio-telecom service center
focusing on networking skills and application of computer network. The internship aimed to
improve management quality in education, health, commercial transportation, entertainment
and to develop digital service by integrating computers with other departments. The intern
learned about network applications, communication, network architecture and topologies.
It shapes the intern's communication, feelings, and organization management skills.
North-Western Region Ethio-telecom is situated in the North of Ethiopia which is found at
Debretabor town. This region includes six departments, such as indirect channel, direct
channel, fixed access network, operation and maintenance, Business partner, finance and
physical security and 12 shops in different areas.
This is the final report for Industrial Practice. This industrial practice was undertaken at
North-western region Ethio telecom. During the industrial practice period we experienced
the activities that are related to the industrial practice. It provides a useful knowledge and
valuable job skills for us.
1.2 Background of Ethio-telecom
The introduction of telecommunication in Ethiopia dates back to 1894. Ethiopian
Telecommunications Corporation is the oldest public telecommunications operator in
Africa. In those years, the technological scheme contributed to the integration of the
Ethiopian society when the extensive open wire line system was laid out linking the capital
with all the important administrative cities of the country. After the end of the war against
Italy, during which telecommunication network was destroyed, Ethiopia re-organized the
Telephone, Telegraph and Postal services in 1941. In 1952 the Imperial Board of
Telecommunications (IBTE) was established by proclamation No. 131/52 in 1952. The

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 Board had full financial and administrative autonomy and was in charge of the provision
and expansion of telecommunications services in Ethiopia. The Imperial Board of
Telecommunications of Ethiopia, which became the Ethiopian Telecommunications
Authority in 1981, was placed in charge of both the operation and regulation of
telecommunication services in the wake of the market reforms. In 1996, the Government
established a separate regulatory body, the Ethiopian Telecommunication Agency (ETA) by
Proclamation 49/1996, and during the same year, by regulation 10/1996, the Council of
Ministers set up the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC).

1.3 Mission, Vision, Values and Objectives of North-Western Region Ethio-

telecom

Mission

 To provide world class, modern and high quality telecom service accessible to all citizens
there by to support the multifaceted development of country to the highest level.
 To develop and maintain a modern information and communications network
infrastructure capable of supporting voice data and video services, equitably across the
country and with high capacity digital connectivity to the rest of the world.
 Providing world class telecommunication services including basic telephony, mobile,
internet and multimedia services.
 They wish to implement state of the art processes, to develop reliable network
infrastructures and to provide the best quality of services to their Customers.

Values

 Lead with vision:-Be committed to understand, meet and exceed the telecom needs and
expectations of the country at large and of customers in particular.
 Respect: Respect customers and recognize that the revenue generated allows
Ethiotelecom to operate.

 Recognize employees of ethio-telecom as most valuable assets and create conducive

working environment that allows them to develop and grow.

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  Excellence: Be committed to high-level performances, customer service quality,
organizational excellence and continuous improvement of Quality of Services.
 Integrity:-Be ethical and honest in all assignments
Accountability:-Be accountable to all stakeholders

objectives

The main objective of Ethio-telecom is to:

 Create awareness on products and services provided by Ethio-telecom and help citizens
 understand the subscription requirements to get those services.
 Provide up-to-date information regarding prices and service delivery time
 Establish transparency and accountability regarding the services provided to citizens
 Provide a system of grievance redressing for complaints raised by citizens
 Serve citizens with courtesy, non-discrimination and respect
 Establish feedback mechanism from citizens to improve service quality
1.4 products and services of north-westrn region ethiotelecom
 Ethio-telecom offers a wide range of product and services tailored market enterprise
customers. they provide enterprise customers a reliable affordable Internet and data
services which facilitate their business increase productivity by connecting them to local
and international patterns.
The services that are provided by Ethio-telecom are:-
 Fixed Telephone Service (PSTN)
 Short Code Services
 Mobile Services
 Internet Service
 Mobile Broadband Internet
 GPRS(general packet radio service
 Mobile telephone and Multimedia services
 GOTA (Global Open Trucking Architecture)

1.5 customers end users of ethiotelecom

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The main customers or the end users of Ethio telecom are:

 People for communication with each other and transfer of information.

 Government and private organizations like financial organizations, military services,
educational institutions, etc.
 Industries manufacturers, banks and institution.
 In general there are no organizations that do not directly or indirectly get services of
Ethio telecom

CHAPTER TWO

OVER ALL INDUSTRIAL PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

2.1 How we get into the company? How we got into the company was not a simple task. This
is because of the company is required by many students for the internship experience. The way
we got in this company was by the help of HR department Mr.Worku Tekola Yadessa . After the
evaluation paper was given us with closed letter and then we submitted them to our supervisor by
the order of the manager of the North-Western Region Ethio-telecom. Generally how we got into
the company is by the sum of our individual effort and by support of HR department, and
industry linkage of the Bonga University.
2.2 The Section of the Company I have been working
In our internship period what I have seen and what I have learned there is described next in each
of the sections. The working section I was working in was the RAN,IP and core network
section,
2.3 work flow of north-western region ethiotelecom

Ethio-telecom has different departments in different regions. At North-western region, the

department that covers all operations and maintenance is operation and maintenance department.
This department covers all operation and maintenance in case of North-western region.
Operation and maintenance department have its own manager. Under the north-western region
Ethio-telecom I have been working in the O & M department and
the department is consists of six working sections. Each section has its own supervisor.
The General work flow in Western Region Ethio-telecom Company

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 North-western region ethio-telecom

Operation and maintainance department

perfor transmis core Ran power

Ip section
mance sion network section section
section section section

2.4 Work Tasks

The section where we inter for intern ship was core network. We joined the company and
worked with our supervisors and staff members. In our internship period the task we have done
are:

 Observing different components and knowing the operation of the components.

 To subscribe data configuration using soft switch with core network staff.
 How to check network is working or not by using net numen software 2.5 Overall
System Components and Operation

2.5 Overall System Components and Operation

2.5.1 Performance Section

This section is a section which has a high responsibility to manage and hold the other work
section of the sector. The major responsibility of the performance section is following the work
which is done under the other working sections. As an example if network equipment is working
it shows the green color on the Net Numen software. And shows red color if network equipment
is not working. Then the operator checks the problem of the equipment network. The

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performance section manager follows whether the site problem is maintained or not within the
days given to maintain it. If the site is not maintained or if it is down the core network section
manager asks the reason why it is not maintained. If the problem is the inefficiency of the
materials used for maintaining that site, the performance section will provide the component and
the site will be maintained. By this manner the performance section manages the works of the
other sections and this helps the service to be provided continuously

2.5.2 Power section

This section is one of the important parts of the Ethio-telecom division section. The main job of
this section is managing and facilitating power supplies for this company, especially for
equipment. To do this in a best condition this section uses different equipment and limit power
specification of equipment. This equipment includes:-

1. Commercial AC Power

2. AC Generators

3. Batteries

Radio Accesses Network (RAN)

Mobile RAN is a network that provides wireless access to users through radio interface and
allows users to move b/n coverage areas without losing connection, i.e. handover. RAN consists
of both the radio & transmission parts. Note that it is possible for a single handset/phone to be
simultaneously connected to multiple RANs.

Generation of network There are different generations of cellular network based on the
frequency, compatibility, capacity and channel size.

1G: 1st Generation ex. AMPS - Advanced Mobile Phone System

 Analog cellular

2G: 2nd Generation ex. GSM - Global System for Mobile communication

 Digital cellular

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2.5G: GPRS – General Packet Radio Service

 Enhanced digital cellular

2.75G: EDGE – Enhanced Data GPRS Evolution

3G: 3rd Generation ex. UMTS/WCDMA

 Multimedia cellular

3.5G: HSPA = HSDPA/HSUPA – High Speed Downlink/Uplink Packet Access

4G: 4th Generation ex. LTE advanced

 Broadband cellular.

2.5.3 Transmission Section

Under the transmission section we learned different components which Ethio telecom uses to
transmit the data from the transmitter to the receiver. There are many transmission systems used
in the Western Region Ethio-telecom for communication system. Western Region Ethio telecom
is mainly using Wired Transmission Media and Wireless Transmission Media.  Twisted Pair
Cable: The wires in Twisted Pair cabling are twisted together in pairs. Each pair would consist of
a wire used for the positive data signal and a wire used for the negative data signal.

Coaxial Cable:

Coaxial Cable consists of two conductors. The inner conductor is held inside an insulator with
the other conductor woven around it providing a shield. An insulating protective coating called a
jacket covers the outer conductor. The outer shield protects the inner conductor from outside
electrical signals.

Optical Fiber: -

Fiber optics, or optical fiber, refers to the medium and the technology associated with the
transmission of information as light pulses along a glass or plastic strand or fiber. Optical Fiber
consists of thin glass fibers that can carry information at frequencies in the visible light spectrum
and beyond. The typical optical fiber consists of a very narrow strand of glass called the Core.

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Around the Core is a concentric layer of glass is called Cladding. The first two are the oldest
transmission media in telecommunications.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

TCP is a connection oriented protocol and offers end-to-end packet delivery. It acts as back bone
for connection. It exhibits the following key features:

 Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) corresponds to the Transport Layer of OSI Model.
 TCP is a reliable and connection oriented protocol. TCP offers:
 Stream Data Transfer
 Reliability
 Efficient Flow Control
 Full-duplex operation and
 Multiplexing
 TCP offers connection oriented end-to-end packet delivery.
 TCP ensures reliability by sequencing bytes with a forwarding acknowledgement
number that indicates to the destination the next byte the source expect to receive.
 It retransmits the bytes not acknowledged with in specified time period.

2.5.4 Core Network Section

A core network is the central part of a telecommunication network that provides various services
to customers who are connected by the access network. One of the main functions is to route
telephone calls across the PSTN. Typically the term refers to the high capacity communication
facilities that connect primary nodes. Core/backbone network provides paths for the exchange of
information between different sub-networks. The Core network includes three parts:-

1. Soft switch: works with voice, fax and video and is a virtual device/software that connects
calls from one line to another.

2. Media gate way: A Media Gateway acts as a translation unit between disparate (different in
kind) telecommunications networks such as PSTN; Next Generation Networks; 2G, 2.5G, 3G
and 4G radio access networks. As the Media Gateway connects different types of networks, one
of its main functions is to convert between the different transmission and coding techniques.

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3. Public switching telephone Network (PSTN):- The basic service of PSTN refers to the basic
call connection functions provided by the switch, inter office call, local call, national toll call,
international toll call, tandem call and others. The telephone is connected to Public switched
telecommunications network (PSTN) for local, national and international voice communications.
Telephone network is the transmission of the human voice from one place to another.

2.6 Network Topology

The topology of a network describes the way computers are connected together. Topology is a
major design consideration for cost and reliability. Western region Ethio-telecom Company is
mentioned under ring topology. Ring topology: In this topology the source station transfers
information to the next station on the ring, which checks the address of the information. If the
address matches, it copies the information and passes otherwise it passes the same to the next
station without copying. The next station repeats the process, till it reaches the source station.
The source then removes the message from the ring. Source station puts a message on ring to
destination station. While passing on the ring, the destination station copies the message and then
puts the same on ring. As the message is not entitled to remaining stations, the message is not
copied and simply passed. Ring topology is used for protection purpose

Advantage of ring topology

 Easy installation,
 Easy network expansion and use of fiber optic cable,

Disadvantages of ring topology

 If a link or a station breaks, the entire network is disabled.

 Requirement of complex hardware. The network interface card is expensive.
 Adding a new client disrupts the entire network

The challenges we faced while performing our tasks in the company

During the internship we have faced different problems at the company. We have summarized
the challenges we encountered during the internship experience. The challenges we encountered
are:

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  Shortage of money and Lack of material access such as personal computer.
 Having less number of contacts with the supervisors due to their busyness, as they had to
move from place to place more frequently.
 Current environment situation(absence of peace)

Measures we took to overcome challenges

 Asking our parents to support me and using the office desktop.

 Assigning ourselves with some tasks to attend properly during observing the process.
 Making an effect use of the access get, such us the internet though we had to use a single
computer for three members.

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 OVER ALL BENEFITS GAINED FROM THE INTERNSHIP

During our internship stay at Ethio-telecom, we have gained benefits from the internship
experience. The internship program provided us a platform to introduce ourselves with the
professional field. In the last summer, we was able to see how communication is achieved over a
long distance and how it is organized to detect an error. Ethio telecom is a perfect platform for a
student who wants to have awareness on voice and data communication. We greatly benefited
from working with the dedicated professionals in the company. The company has provided a
conductive working atmosphere among the staffs. This does not only enabled us to share an
experience, but also develops what we know, work flow, and harmonious communication. So,
we are very proud of getting the opportunity to be part of this internship program.

Generally, within those two months we have gained different skills during the internship in terms
of the following:

3.1.1 In terms of improving Practical skills

As it’s commonly practiced, most of the courses we took in class dealt with the theoretical side
of technology. Some lecturers took the initiative and tried to illustrate the practical part of this
field by displaying different graphic images in their lecture or suggested materials that were
more or less illustrative. But these trials were futile and failed to give us the clear picture.

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Although those visits helped us get a little more acquainted with the tangible part, they were
simply not enough. This internship program was exactly what we needed to nurture the lack of
practical skills we had.

3.1.2 In terms of upgrading Theoretical knowledge

In addition to the practical skills this program helped us to strengthen our theoretical knowledge
and gain meaningful engineering experience to complement our academic studies. These are:

 The communication between mobile equipment, BTS, BSC and MSC.

 How mobile equipment communicates every time with around BTS.
 Wavelength used in DWDM and CWDM.
 Understood the Architecture of GSM.
 What is transmission
 What type of power we are using in telecom?

3.1.3 In terms of improving our Interpersonal communication skills

Improving our interpersonal communication skills, we began to interact with many workers in
the Company. During the internship experience we had improved our communication skills in
very good manner which we could talk to any person at the staff with confidence and as easily as
possible.

3.1.4 In terms of Improving Team Working Skills

In a company it is very important to play as a team. If there are disagreements between the
employees, it is very difficult to go ahead with the works. And as part of a team, an engineer
should have to work with a positive attitude within a group for the success of a project. When
called upon to lead, an engineer must have good managerial and organizational skills. Confident
and enthusiastic engineers are able to succeed by gaining the trust of co-workers. Good team
worker possesses the following skills:

 Communicates constructively
 Listens actively
 unctions as an active participant

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  Shares openly and willingly
 Cooperates and pitches in to help
 Shows commitment and monitoring to the tea

3.1.5 In terms of improving Leadership skills

At the company we were able to see different engineers in hierarchical work and lead the staff
workers and the engineers under them. During these times we were able to observe that one
should have great skills to be a leader, such as:

 Good speaking ability and being decisive.

 The ability to listen to others and good management skills.
 Knowing the subject one is working on thoroughly. We have observed that leadership is
a great responsibility that one has to make the team he is leading initiated and
encouraged. This will enable you to get a good result, so that your work is as perfect as
or more than the expected. But in our staffs, every place is occupied with the right
person, and the staff members are responsible and did their works effectively

3.1.6 In terms of understanding Work Ethics related issues

Work ethics are very important part of our personal as well as professional life. With the proper
work ethics, a person become more responsible and focused towards his/her job. The person also
cultivates a sense of achievement around his work. This definitely has some positive effects on
his/her career growth as well as on the progress of the company. Work ethics means:-

 How one looks at his job and What he expects from his job
 How would he/she go ahead with his/her professions
 Respecting and accepting others opinion Ethics at the work place means the positive
aspect that makes the work force companion, like Honesty, integrity, dedication,
determination, commitment etc.

3.1.7 In terms of Entrepreneurship skills

We understood that being an entrepreneur is not as simple as we have imaged before, rather it is
difficult to run because so many problems are expected to be faced. But it is also profitable, if

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you are strong enough to face those problems, and a well-mannered and experienced managers
and human resource are assigned. The great thing that we have learned in terms of
entrepreneurship skill is to be bold to set up any kind of business and become profitable from it,
after you understand the concept of the business and get yourself familiarized with it.

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 CONCLUSIONS

 Actually, this internship program is provided to introduce and to give how the
professional life looks like, and to make a bridge that links the student life with the
professional life, in addition to observe and fill the gap between the theoretical and
practical knowledge. Telecommunication network includes a lot of practices and
activities, and in aspects of Telecommunication network design we have come up to
know and understand some basic things, to mention some:
 Transmission technology and MSAG Service.
 PSTN network topology and GPRS.
 Power control mechanism in GSM mobile.
 Capacity of the server.
 Connection of mobile, fixed line telephone and data network server

During the industrial practice we were able to see the different theoretical aspects, methodologies
and telecommunication network designs. In the supervision session, we were able to see the
important theoretical and practical aspects of telecommunication network. We were very curious
to know the telecommunication network and the tasks performed in the network, and we were
able to fulfill our curiosity in the internship program. Generally the most common practical
activities that are performed in telecommunication are related to the major activities like
controlling transmission link, configuring new site, identifying error during call setup. And in
our internship stay, we have tried to get ourselves involved on these three different areas to know
and experience the working methods they use related to the theoretical knowledge we have.

4.2 Recommendation

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  Attention must be given for the workman follow ups in overall works of the
telecommunication network to prevent wastage and failure.
 Continuous assessment is needed for the interns by the university supervisors in order to
extend the knowledge and to be informed on the status or performance of the interns
 the university should pay attention to the order of courses to be given which are
supportive and major courses for the interns, like courses related to telecommunication
network,
 should have a direct relation between the university advisor and company supervisor.

References

1. www.ethiotelecom.et

2. Gunnar Heine. (1991). GSM Networks: Protocols, Terminology and Implementation.

3. Transmission basic training for operation and maintenance, NAP Transmission Teams, July
27, 2015

4. GSM Tutorial

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