A major network operator recognised that network performance directly impacted customer satisfaction and retention.
In an increasingly competitive market, service quality and reliability had become key differentiators.
The organisation identified MPLS routing as the technology platform that would enable next-generation network capabilities – delivering intelligent traffic management, enhanced service delivery, and measurable improvements in network uptime.
However, realising this vision required migrating over 2,000 cell sites across their nationwide infrastructure to a new Cisco MPLS solution.
This presented a complex, multi-disciplined challenge spanning technical deployment, logistics, health and safety, and programme governance.
This case study explores how Flint Technology Services (Flint TS) delivered a large-scale network migration transformation that improved performance, reduced customer churn, and positioned the operator for future growth.
The Business Challenge
The network operator faced a critical competitive challenge: network outages and performance issues were triggering customer churn and damaging their market reputation.
Traditional network architecture was constraining their ability to deliver the performance and reliability customers now expected.
The organisation recognised that adopting MPLS routing would enable a next-generation network capable of intelligent traffic management, value-added services, and dramatically improved reliability.
This strategic transformation promised to delight customers, reduce churn, and create new revenue opportunities through premium service delivery.
The Technical Challenge
The technical ambition was substantial: migrate all core, aggregate, and cell site infrastructure across a nationwide network comprising over 2,000 sites to a new Cisco MPLS solution.
This wasn’t simply a technology upgrade – it required comprehensive planning and flawless execution across multiple dimensions.
The project presented complex, interconnected challenges that extended far beyond technical deployment.
Difficult site access at remote locations, stringent health and safety requirements, permit management for field teams, complex logistics across a geographically dispersed network, and exceptionally tight project timescales created significant risk.
Any delay or misstep could extend the programme, increase costs, or jeopardise service continuity during the network migration.
The Solution
Rather than approach this as a purely technical project, Flint TS proposed a comprehensive Consolidated Management Service (CMS) – a fixed-price commercial and operational framework designed to deliver the entire programme with governance assurance and delivery certainty.
Consolidated Management Service Approach
Our CMS provided a single point of contact and accountability for the entire nationwide rollout.
This unified management structure encompassed:
Partner Ecosystem and Governance
We identified and onboarded specialist subcontracting partners, managing their performance and integration throughout the programme.
Our structured partner management ensured consistent quality, adherence to schedules, and alignment with project objectives.
Structured Programme Delivery
Our approach combined proven project management frameworks with intelligent scheduling:
- Comprehensive scope of works analysis to establish clear requirements and acceptance criteria
- Detailed design and planning incorporating risk assessment and issue mitigation strategies
- Full RASCI matrix establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability across all parties
- Smart scheduling methodology that optimised resource deployment whilst accommodating site access constraints and permit requirements
Commercial and Financial Framework
We established governance over programme budgets, pre-agreed pricing with service delivery partners, and rigorous financial controls.
This commercial discipline ensured cost certainty and delivered predictable outcomes against the fixed-price contract.
Health, Safety and Quality Assurance
H&S procedures were cascaded across the entire programme, with continuous auditing to ensure compliance and protect all team members working across the 2,000+ sites.
Coordination and Monitoring
Our programme management team coordinated all delivery activities according to the scheduling strategy, continuously measured progress, identified emerging risks, and implemented mitigation measures.
Regular stakeholder communication kept all parties aligned and confident in delivery progress.
The Results
The Consolidated Management Service delivered substantial outcomes for the network operator throughout the network migration:
Single Point of Accountability
One vendor managing the entire commercial, technical, and operational delivery – eliminating coordination complexity and ensuring clear accountability.
Nationwide Deployment at Scale
Successfully migrating over 2,000 cell sites across the entire network without service disruption, demonstrating the effectiveness of the CMS approach.
Improved Network Performance and Reliability
The new MPLS infrastructure enabled intelligent traffic management, dramatically improving network uptime and reducing customer-impacting outages.
Cost Certainty and Financial Control
The fixed-price contract combined with rigorous financial governance delivered predictable costs and prevented budget overruns – a critical achievement on a programme of this scale.
Enhanced Customer Experience
With network reliability and performance significantly improved, the operator successfully reduced customer churn and created foundation for premium value-added services.
Scalable Platform for Future Growth
The new infrastructure positioned the operator to expand service capabilities and adapt to evolving customer demands without requiring fundamental redesign.
Supporting Your Network Migration Transformation
Flint TS specialises in delivering large-scale network infrastructure transformations where technical complexity, geographical distribution, and tight timescales demand more than conventional project management.
Our Consolidated Management Service approach combines technical expertise with commercial rigour, partner ecosystem management, and programme governance – ensuring delivery certainty on complex, multi-site deployments.
Whether you’re migrating core infrastructure, rolling out new network technologies nationwide, or managing complex, multi-disciplined programmes with significant business impact, our proven framework ensures successful outcomes.
Ready to transform your network infrastructure at scale?