Telecommunications

GSM Terminal for Low-Signal Rural Areas

Latin America | January 2019 - October 2020

telecommu-bg

Client Challenge

Client Challenge

A telecommunications distributor working across rural Latin America needed a fixed wireless GSM terminal that could provide reliable voice connectivity in low-signal areas where wired infrastructure was not feasible. The challenge involved designing a unit capable of functioning off-grid with an extended battery life, while also maintaining manufacturing costs at a level that would support government subsidy programs.

Their existing device, which was sourced from multiple vendors, suffered from poor signal reception, unstable power management, and insufficient aftersales support.

Tml’s Solution

Tml’s Solution

Tml Industries proposed an end-to-end hardware design overhaul, emphasizing antenna performance, power efficiency, and ease of local assembly.

Key phases of the project:

1

Concept validation

Initial hardware schematics and mock-ups focused on extended antenna reach and dual SIM failover capabilities.

2

Prototyping & testing

Tml developed working prototypes within 6 weeks, optimized for low signal pickup and consistent performance across frequency bands used in the region.

3

Battery integration

A custom low-draw power system was designed to support 72+ hours standby , using locally available lithium cells.

4

Enclosure design

The plastic casing was developed for easy wall-mount installation, built with UV-resistant ABS for harsh environments.

5

Trial production

500 units were field-tested with regional telecom providers before moving into scalable manufacturing.

Results

Results

As a result of these improvements, the client significantly broadened their service reach into previously inaccessible regions and secured new infrastructure contracts with regional governments.

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Signal reliability increased by 45% compared to previous solutions

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Average unit battery life extended by 68 hours

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Production costs lowered by 23% through consolidated sourcing and simplified internal architecture

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Rollout of over 30,000 units across 4 countries within the first 10 months of launch

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