COMPETENCY DEMONSTRATION REPORT

CAREER EPISODE 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1. I have completed my Bachelors of Engineering in May 2005 from J.T.
Mahajan College of Engineering, Faizpur which is affiliated by North Maharashtra
University. The career episode took place during the period of March 2006
December 2007 in Bharti Airtel Service Ltd., Delhi in which I worked from Sep 13,
2005 to Oct 25, 2007. The position I held during this career episode was
Assistant Officer CSD.
1.2

BACKGROUND

1.2.1. Airtel provide broadband (DSL), data and telephone services (fixed line) in
95 cities with growing focus on the various data solutions for the SMB segment.
Airtel product offerings in this segment include installation of fixed-line
telephones providing local, national and international long distance voice
connectivity and broadband Internet access through DSL.

1.2.2. This career episode involves the Network Planning, designing and set-up
of a new network at Airtel East-Delhi zone that would cater to the Voice & DSL
projects. The objective behind this consolidated network was to engulf the East
zone area of Delhi with the network of Airtel that includes connectivity through
fibre cables between remote site and the main NOC centre, copper pulling
between the local site and establishing the circuit breakers in between called
[Distribution Points, Sub pillars, Pillar]. This is to provide better quality broadband
that is high-speed connection to the Internet along with the phone line from the
single wiring.
1.2.3. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a technology that puts high speed digital
data on standard two-conductor voice-grade telephone wiring. DSL service is
added to an existing telephone line. When properly installed, the DSL service and
phone can be used simultaneously without interference. When improperly
installed, telephones and other equipment connected to the telephone line can
cause problems with the DSL service.

1.2.4. The DSL signal can be "superimposed" on an existing phone line because
the frequencies DSL uses are far above the frequencies used in voice
conversations. Telephones won't even reproduces these frequencies. So the DSL
signal doesn't interfere with phones...it's the other way around.

1.2.5. The problem is that the circuitry inside virtually any device that connects
to the phone line isn't designed with DSL frequencies in mind. This circuitry often
"shorts out" the DSL signalkeeping you from getting a reliable DSL connection.

The preferred method is to split the outside phone line, as it enters the house,
into a DSL line and a voice line, and run separate wires to each. For this Splitters
come in picture; a Low pass filter.

The organisation structure depicting my position during this career episode is

depicted below:

1.3 The statement of duties with regards to this project involved the following:

A glimpse on the activities that I completed during the execution of this project
are listed below:
1.3.1. This task demanded all the respective synergy to work in a coordinated
and planned way to achieve a desired goal.
1.3.2. I designed the network planning as per the sales team feedback; keeping
in mind the areas where massive broadband availability for the clients is
required; such as Commercial complexes, SME, local service providers,
residential area etc.
1.3.3. After getting it approved by the higher authorities, I prepared the Master
Schedule and kept updating it from time to time.
1.3.4. I was the point of contact for the vendors and external parties for this
project.

1.3.5. As a technical member and area incharge of that zone, I was responsible
for managing the hardware set-up and end to end connectivity of the Voice &
DSL network followed by a thorough testing and troubleshooting if required.
1.3.6. I believed in sharing the facts and challenges with my seniors and team
members and after investigation I did consider the suggestions and took
professional responsibility to complete the task assigned to me and my team.
1.3.7. I was responsible for overall monitoring and execution of this project and
maintained the entire documentation and records.
1.3.8. I was responsible for interfacing different teams in order to accomplish a
common goal.
1.3.9. I was responsible for maintaining all minutes of meeting, queries from
different stakeholders/project teams, approvals, etc.
1.3.10.
I updated daily progress to my supervisor and senior voice leads
and documented all day to day activities.
1.3.11.
I also documented the entire configuration and maintenance
procedures of the entire new voice setup.

1.4 PERSONAL WORKPLACE ACTIVITY:

The entire project consist of below steps:
PART 1 :- Installation; New network installation for Voice & DSL connection.
1.4.1. Being the Assistant officer, I was deputed to do the site survey and
planning the network as per company norms and area feasibility.
1.4.2. I was leading a team of Site supervisor and site engineers, technicians and
wiring men.
1.4.3. I complied all the details of the area and sent the complete details to the
Liaison department for the approvals of those sites.
1.4.4. After approval, I managed the Wiring teams and Technicians for smooth
Operation.
1.4.5. Fibre connectivity was terminated at the central site named Main
Distribution Frame (MDF) from here the copper is pulled in all different directions
to establish Pillars as the first junction point.
1.4.6. Once the pillar, subpillar are installed, then DP(Distribution Point) is
installed at customer premises. Depending on the layout of office or customer
premises, where the phone line is required, and where customer wanted the DSL
jack, the actual installation was done.
1.4.7. Wiring team started at the DP (a little box where the phone line comes into
the house/office) then added a little box called as splitter; that is a filter, lowpass filter. The connection is made from DP to splitter.
1.4.8. Then run a wire from the filter, around and through the house, to wherever
computer lived.

1.4.9. A jack was installed on the wall and mark it "DSL", plug the DSL modem
into it, connect it to the computer, and configured operating system with the
proper addresses and options and such to get connection up and make sure it
was working.
1.4.10.
Many times I was required to take firm decisions on my own keeping
its pros and cons in mind to meet the SLA and quality of the installation despite
of some unfavourable issues like liaison issue, routing issue, technical fault,
networking issue etc.
1.4.11.
To avoid any kind of interference or static in signals, all connections
are made clean and are insulated properly. Also device like DP, splitter, rosette,
modem etc. are installed under shed if possible and away from moisture prone
areas.

PART 2 :- Fault Repair; After Installation, fault repair was also my ownership.
Fault Rate of Voice & DSL of a particular area was crossing the SLA limits and
hampering the service quality of Airtel, I was nominated to contemplate the issue
and inhibit the increasing fault rate. To overcome the situation I shortlisted the
complaints that we received on regular basis and followed below steps;
1.4.12.
For most complaints I heard noise on the line, testing from the DP
helped me to identify whether the noise was local to the premise or coming
across the phone line.
1.4.13.
For some of the cases I discovered that the noise is local, that is the
problem could stem from wiring, the physical phone or from a filter issue (in the
case of DSL). The most common cause for noise on the line was old wiring that
has been damaged or has deteriorated over time. The damage was caused by
animals chewing on the line, or from exposure to sun and rain.
1.4.14.
For these rewiring in conduit(a plastic pipe) was done, to making
wire safe from weather conditions and small animals.

1.4.15.

The Voice Side:-

In most of the cases there was no dial tone, and I could hear either static or
nothing at all, for this I asked my technician and wiring team to follow below
mentioned steps:1.4.15.1.
Unplug all equipment from every phone jack on line (including fax
machines, modems, satellite or cable receivers, answering machines, caller ID
devices, splitters, phone cords. etc.).
1.4.15.2.
Leave all devices unplugged for a minimum of 60 seconds. Then
plug in your most basic phone handset. Do not use a cordless phone.

1.4.15.3.
Inspect all phone cords for damage, and check to see the
connectors are in good condition. They should click into place when plugged
back into the jack. Check both ends of the cord.
1.4.15.4.
If dialtone has been restored, begin adding equipment, one piece at
a time. Check for dialtone after each addition. If you do not hear dialtone after
plugging in the first phone, unplug it again and test with a some other
equipment.
1.4.15.5.
If, after plugging in an additional device, you lose dialtone again,
remove the device from the jack. You have probably found the source of the
problem. You may want to contact tech support for the suspect item.

1.4.16.

The DSL Side:-

When DSL goes down, the first and easiest step - assuming that the line has
voice service as well - is to pick up a phone and ensure that the line has dialtone.
If there is no dialtone, then issue is at the "Voice Side" and I followed above
instructions.
The next operation is to restart the computer. Sometimes rebooting re-establish
the DSL connection. If a reboot did not fix the problem, then I located the DSL
modem and turn off its power. If there was a router (wired or wireless), turn off
the power to the router as well. The router connects to the DSL modem via an
Ethernet cable (like a phone cable but with bigger plugs on each end).
Once all of equipment has been "power cycled", I checked the lights on DSL
modem. Even then if laptop didnt regained connectivity, I asked my technician
and wiring team to please try the following steps:
1.4.16.1.
Disconnect DSL modem from the wall jack and plug in a phone
handset instead. See if you can hear any line noise or static that might interfere
with the DSL signal. The line noise could indicate an internal wiring issue causing
problems with the wall jack (or even a group of jacks). You could also plug the
DSL modem into a different jack to see if that fixes the problem.
1.4.16.2.
The phone cord coming from your DSL modem should plug directly
into the wall jack. Eliminate any splitters or other obstacles between the DSL
modem and the jack. You might also unplug and re-plugging the phone cord at
both ends to ensure that it is plugged in securely. The cord should click when it
is pushed into place.
1.4.16.3.
Make sure that the Ethernet cable connecting your DSL modem with
your computer (or router) is plugged into the LAN port on the back of the DSL
modem. Try unplugging and re-plugging the cable at both ends to ensure the
cable is plugged in securely. The cable should 'click' when it is pushed into place.
The Ethernet cable that connects your DSL modem with your computer (or

router) could come loose or fail due to pets or a vacuum cleaner, for example. If
the cable is suspect, then you will need to replace it.
1.4.16.4.
Unplug all devices (including cords) from all wall jacks. This includes
phones, fax machines, satellite and cable receivers, security systems, caller ID
devices, answering machines, or anything else plugged into a phone jack. Any
one device could be the cause of a fault on your line. Re-plug the DSL modem
only. If the DSL modem works when it is the sole device, then continue to add
equipment back in, one at a time. You may discover that another device is
causing your DSL to fail.
1.4.16.5.
If the above suggestions are unsuccessful, you might connect your
DSL modem directly into the Network Interface Device (NID) that serves your
building. See the "Voice Side" instructions above. If the DSL modem does not
sync at the NID, then the issue is probably not inside wiring.

1.4.17.
For some major issues like fiber cut and massive link destruction I
did involve my higher management for technical support and guidance.

1.5

SUMMARY:

1.5.1. I was tracking the progress and schedule daily calls and meetings between
vendors, project teams and NOC team to avoid gaps and to bring everyone on
the same page with respect to what is happening and what is expected. I was
also responsible for recording and maintaining the minutes of meeting for each
call and meeting.
1.5.2. I was responsible to test the entire configuration thoroughly and
troubleshoot any issues. I was tracking the delivery of materials on site,
maintaining the records for available hardware, highlighting the requirement well
in advance to teams for procurement in time to avoid delays in project.
1.5.3. This project was completed within defined timelines and successfully met
the objective of network installation.
1.5.4. My role was instrumental as I could apply the experience I had towards the
execution and completion of this project and further enhanced my skills from the
technical and management perspective and on completion of this job I was
awarded.