Planner - Radio Planner Special Projects Technology Information at MTN

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)

Task Complexity:

Planning & Delivery

• Enterprise Business Support
• Provide information on customer locations’ coverage issues, solutions and execution progress to account team and Head Office staff 
• Plan the growth of the radio network considering general engineering principles, analysis & interpretation of network statistics, knowledge of market requirements 
• Achieve the most effective design of RF installation for the client’s needs within the network parameters which will satisfy all the demands of the market
• Prepare presentations of network plans for EBU clients as and when required 
• Collaborate with others regarding planning and support issues e.g. regional PMs, implementation and support teams
• Interface with appropriate support teams ie Optimisation/ Transmission for any out of scope quality or interface requirement
• HetNet Design
• Identify poor indoor coverage, hot spots and cell fringes to best deploy HetNet using geo-location tools, and network performance indicators
• Design heterogeneous network solutions to provide capacity and coverage ; in-building solutions and small cells supporting (3G, LTE and Wi-Fi)
• Understand network designs of third parties and approve the technical design as solution to requirements
• Gated Communities coverage solutions
• Compile designs and plans in estates and or suburbs for coverage and capacity for mobile broadband
• Collaborate with Head Office team regarding priority areas, technology deployment, and alignment with fibre to the home
• Survey with stakeholders for the optimal solutions e.g. transmission, implementation, property teams, third party contractors 
• Live Network Trials
• Select correct site within parameters of installation cost, customers needs, network quality, expected traffic, environmental aspects, legislation and regulatory compliance and the existing radio network 
• Oversee the installation of new base station equipment (small cells)
• Generate and provide the radio network data, cell data and configuration 
• Consider upcoming market and coverage/ capacity demands based on experience as well as received requirements and forecasting   
• Perform Site Surveys, Site Integration and Cluster Tuning Process and Acceptance (3rd Party or internal)
• Prepare cell data (or provide the criterion for 3rd Party generated site data)
• Carry out Field Surveys/ Site Finding including drive testing
• General design and delivery of tailored indoor solutions 
• Ensure compliance of all rules, regulations, legislation, standards etc applicable on radio transmission including demand forecast inclusion into Transmission Planning
• Manage Cell Extender deployment- be the custodian of approval as well as cell extender planning criterion. 
• Work within predefined Service Level Agreements (SLA)/ Working Level Agreements (WLA)
• Perform Task Management and participating in workflow management systems

Network Optimisation & Performance

• Network evaluation of new planning features to boost coverage and capacity, especially for indoor environments  (optimisation of existing site performance)
• Continuously refresh and enhance technical skill and knowledge especially regarding new developments in the field of radio technology, radio network design and operation, network quality and network problems, radio access system design principles
• Advise and support other specialists in the department
• Support Coverage related Customer Complaints resolution (including repeater parameter design and management)
• Investigate, specify and manage the development of tools and processes for network planning
• Investigate and recommend the procurement of tools and systems for network planning 
• Suggest best radio network parameters for the radio network
• Ensure the integrity of cell parameters all over the radio network as well as the integrity of frequency and scrambling code allocation.
• Be fully aware of present poor network performance and quality areas - integrate this into site design and rollout prioritization.
• Be fully aware of what new sites can do to network performance - incorporate tailored best practices into site design
• Ensure that network quality is monitored in a continuous manner 
• Work within predefined Service Level Agreements (SLA)/ Working Level Agreements (WLA) as required by the Optimisation Service provider or MSP team.
• Prioritise rollout and/or major site expansion towards improving customer experience in line with P10. 
• Supervisory Complexity:
• No indication of subordinates 

Leadership Complexity:

• Demonstrating a visionary approach to planning and optimisation and peripheral responsibilities by contributing new ideas, attitudes and systems for the improvement of the network and the performance of the team. Contribution and motivation.

Managerial complexity:

• Understanding the value and cost of all available resources  (these include time, physical resources, time-saving developments such as automated processes, intellectual capital, streamlining workflow etc.) and acting accordingly to achieve the best results with the least possible cost to MTN in both the short and long term.
• Lateral dimensions of the position
• Creativities (improvement/innovation inherent)
• Keeping abreast with future and current planning and optimisation technologies and market developments, consumer requirements and international trends.
• Improvisation innovation and adaptation for competitive advantage.
• P10 and Customer Network Quality of Experience improvement especially indoor Experience

Vulnerabilities (control span)

• Sensitive to non-delivery of work by other parties both within MTN and external to it (Telkom for example). 
• Limited by slow of development of tools for both process-automation and new technology developments.
• Limited information relating to the market to be serviced and the forecasted demand. Since Radio Planning are first line initiators of network traffic demand –responsibility of the cost implications of site deployment rests within.

Minimum Requirements
Education:

• Minimum of 3 year degree/diploma  in B Sc Electrical/Electronic Engineering 
• Fluent in English and language of country preferable

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in RF or telecommunications. GSM experience will be an advantage.
• Experience in supervising othersExperience working in a medium   organization