My Internship Journey in GSM Telecom Infrastructure

Nepal Telecom, Hetauda | September 2017 – December 2017
Role: Telecom & IT Intern

Overview

During my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Technology (BSc. CSIT), I completed a three-month internship at Nepal Telecom, the national telecommunications service provider of Nepal.

The internship focused on GSM Mobile Networking, where I gained hands-on exposure to telecom infrastructure, mobile network architecture, and real-world operational environments.

Why Nepal Telecom?

Nepal Telecom operates nationwide telecom infrastructure, serving both urban and remote regions. Choosing Nepal Telecom allowed me to:

Understand large-scale telecom network operations
Work with GSM, PSTN, and data communication systems
Bridge theoretical networking knowledge with real-world implementation

Key Technologies & Concepts

GSM Network Architecture (BSS, NSS, BTS, BSC)
Mobile Switching & Call Routing
Frequency Bands (GSM 900 / 1800)
Control Channels (BCCH, CCCH, DCCH)
HLR, VLR, AUC, EIR Databases
Huawei & ZTE Telecom Equipment
PSTN & Mobile Network Interworking

            Hands-on Exposure:

            Observed GSM server management, switching systems, fiber optics, mobile tower operations,
            and real-time telecom troubleshooting.
        

My Responsibilities

Observing GSM core network and base station operations
Assisting in server monitoring and maintenance
Understanding call flow between mobile stations and base stations
Supporting IT and transmission departments
Learning fiber optic management and telecom infrastructure setup

Challenges & Learning

Working in a live telecom environment helped me understand real operational challenges:

Network congestion and capacity limitations
Subscriber management at scale
Importance of redundancy and fault tolerance
Impact of infrastructure planning on service quality

Key Takeaways

Strong foundation in telecom networking principles
Practical exposure to national-scale infrastructure
Improved problem-solving and analytical skills
Better understanding of real-world IT operations

Skills Gained

GSM Networking Telecom Infrastructure Network Operations Server Monitoring Fiber Optics IT Support

Conclusion

This internship was a turning point in my technical career. It transformed theoretical knowledge into practical understanding and strengthened my interest in telecom infrastructure, system administration, and networking.

The experience laid a strong foundation for my professional journey in IT and telecommunications.