Houston Texas
2002
As individual contractors we worked closely in the network
development of Aerial communications Houston Market. Improving
their services and expanding their customer base until Voicestream
saw the potential for obtaining and sturdy infrastructure
they could build upon. We continued to service Voicestream
Wireless and helped to expand their network capacity. With
their project in 2002, we completed 125 new construction
installations. These new constructions included NOKIA City
Talk equipment with configurations ranging from 1+1+1 thru
4+4+4. We also pioneered the first 6+6+6 Nokia City Talk
BTS in T-Mobile Houston. At the same time we were also upgrading
the network by swapping out the NOKIA 2G BTS with 3G City
Talks. We also expanded 35 sites by adding City Talk expansion
cabinets. There were three sites that required us to install
Prime Sites to accommodate a better signal for hand over
purposes.
2003
In the following year, T-Mobile wanted to expand their network
service and was looking toward the Houston Market. Voicestream
Wireless had the infrastructure they were looking for along
with the expansion capabilities they needed. After the acquisition
of Voicestream by T-Mobile, we continued to serve their markets’ need
for upgrades and new construction expansion. Under this new
management we completed an upgrade/ expansion project of
over 500 City Talks to Ultrasite swap outs and over 500 transmitter
expansions along with over 100 new construction sites to
enhance their network. Among these sites is T-Mobile Houston’s
first 8+8+8 double cabinet NOKIA Ultrasite configuration
with one sector being divided up between the 2 base stations,
a 12+12+12 triple cabinet NOKIA Ultrasite Base Station that
is at full capacity using 4 T-1’s and drop call percentage
of less than 2%.
2004
This year began with excitement as Super Bowl XXXVIII came
to Houston. We underwent a special Super Bowl Expansion Project.
We expanded and increased capacity within the Super Bowl
footprint area to better serve our guests as we welcomed
them to Houston. We also contributed to the LMU project,
which required us to reprogram and prepare sites for Emergency
911 coverage.
Our commitment to customer satisfaction and attention to
detail have enabled us to serve the Houston Market through
several major mergers. As the years continue we will strive
for distinction in our service, professionalism in our demeanor
and excellence in our satisfaction.
South Texas
2003
While operations were being conducted in the Houston market,
along came a need for network support in the South Texas
Market. With Corpus Christi as its operating center, the
South Texas market expands all the way south to Brownsville,
as far west as Del Rio and as far north as Victoria. Working
closely with the Corpus Christi switch VAL-COM was able to
pioneer the installation standards for the NOKIA Ultrasite
units inside shelters. Crews were dispatched to prep, install,
and commission the first NOKIA Ultrasites in the South Texas
T-Mobile market. VAL-COM has established a distinct relationship
and enhanced their reputation for quality, service and commitment.
Upon completion of the new constructions, VAL-COM was conscripted
for other projects as such as adding expansion cabinets,
sector adds, transmitter expansions and the first “Drop
Call Task Force”. The “Drop Call Task Force” was
forged by T-Mobile engineers to identify network problems
and dropped call issues that were affecting customers and
their health index. Continuing forward with our commitment
to the South Texas Market,VAL-COM continues to provide network
solutions and support.
Louisiana
2003
Louisiana is a market whose operations are assisted from
the Houston Switch. Although there are many instances in
which we conduct operations there, we have become a valuable
resource when disaster strikes. At the end of June in 2003
tropical storm Bill hit the coast of Louisiana. VAL-COM was
dispatched to restore power back to cell sites, report T-1
failure and assess damage to compound structures as well
as access issues. In our efforts to assist in reintegrating
these sites, VAL-COM was also dispatched to aide with generator
deployment and refueling efforts. As a result of our commitment
and dependability VAL-COM is often called upon to aid other
markets in disaster recovery.
Arkansas
2003
Arkansas was a potential new market for T-Mobile and they
needed to increase their roaming coverage. At this point
in time, Arkansas was assigned to the T-Mobile Houston switch.
We were hand picked to come in within a limited time frame
and integrate their sites. With the decision made to expand
their market Val-Com was faced with the challenge of installing
and commissioning 8 sites in 3 days. Within 24 hrs of being
informed about the new task, VAL-COM arrived in Little Rock,
Arkansas to begin their mission. We were successful and relieved
the severe congestion being experienced in Little Rock, Arkansas
as well as helped them to reach their annual projections.
Due to the quick response and outstanding results made by
the installations in the first quarter of 2003, VAL-COM was
asked to return back in the last quarter of 2003. We completed
their New Construction installation and commissioning, which
consisted of 18 Ultrasites; The first Ultrasites to be installed
in the market. VAL-COM continues to offer support to the
Arkansas market whenever there are concerns or solutions
required.
Florida
2003
With our reputation established in disaster relief,VAL-COM
was called upon to support Florida in their memorable hurricane
season. In August and September, two horrific hurricanes
threatened to cripple the networks in Florida. Hurricane
Charley and Hurricane Frances were historical in their impact
on Florida. Once news that landfall was eminent, VAL-COM
was directed towards Florida to assist T-Mobile technicians
in reestablishing their network integrity. VAL-COM mobilized
and awaited landfall, once the hurricanes made contact we
directed our efforts towards assessing the damage, restoring
power, addressing T-1 issues, reintegrating sites and aiding
the battered Floridians. There were over 250 sites affected
by each hurricane.
