Rainfall influence to the network interruption of PT. Telkom Bogor

Abstract

Communication using telecommunication may be exposed to disturbance such as connection interruption, disconnection, etc. Climate is considered as one factor affecting these conditions. Too much rainfall may lead to floods that inundate telephone network and finally damage the network. However, the climatic factor has not been taken much into consideration by the telecommunication companies in designing network system. This study aims to assess the relationship between rainfall and level of disturbance of the telecommunication services. This study assessed three types of services, namely PSTN (home telephone), TDSL (internet services), and ISDN (digital services). There were 31 types of disturbances being assessed in the three services. The data of disturbance was collected on daily basis from 2007 to 2008. This study used principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the number of disturbances into a number of principal components explaining most of the disturbances types. This study found that type of disturbance which frequently occurred was ‘no connecting tone’ (81.4%). Type of telecommunication services being disturbed mostly is PSTN. Types of disturbance can be seen from the factors causing the disturbance and location where disturbance factors occurred. Based on the disturbance factors, corrosion was the most common factor causing the disturbance (38.9%) and based on the location, dropwire was the most common one (35.7%). The analysis suggested that rainfall variability has significant relationship only with certain types of disturbances. At Cibinong, rainfall significantly affected the telecommunication services through its effects on 'network maintenance', 'dashed voice' and 'arrears'. At Dayeuh, rainfall significantly affected the services through its effect on 'SLI disconnection'. At Citeko, rainfall significantly affected the telecommunication services through its effects on 'MMA interruption', 'internet access error', 'browsing error', 'can't be called', 'bell error', 'no connecting tone', 'dashed voice' and 'mussy wiring'. At Jasinga, rainfall significantly didn't affect to any types of network interruption. At Bogor, rainfall significantly affected the telecommunication services through its effects on 'MMA interruption', 'internet access error', 'PCM interruption', 'browsing error', 'can't be called', 'bell error', 'no connecting tone', 'there were connecting tone but no answer', 'dashed voice', and 'mussy wiring'. Based on this study, it is recommended that the PT. Telkom Bogor may need to consider rainfall in designing the wire system particularly outdoor wire. Types of wire for outdoor should be high quality and anti-corrosion. To improve this study, it is recommended to include relative humidity and extreme climate as other climatic factors causing the disturbance.