AI & MACHINE LEARNING
BESPOKE DATA VISUALISATIONS
CUSTOM SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
CLOUD & OPERATIONS
DATA & ANALYTICS
EMBEDDED & ENGINEERING
IOT & CLOUD
Software radio system for 2G-5G
We developed and maintained a high-performance Software Radio System for 2G-5G mobile networks, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and energy optimisation. Our team managed a vast, distributed codebase, enabling the client to accelerate innovation while maintaining system stability.
About the client
Our client is a global leader in networking and telecommunications, providing cutting-edge Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions to service providers worldwide.
The challenge
scaling complex systems across global teams
Managing a rapidly evolving, multi-million-line codebase developed by hundreds of engineers across multiple locations posed significant challenges. The client faced difficulties in hiring senior engineers with deep expertise in telecommunications software. To address this, they partnered with Holisticon, leveraging our expertise in embedded software development and telecommunications engineering.
Beyond the technical complexity, we had to navigate the distributed nature of the project—spanning multiple countries and external vendors—requiring efficient communication, knowledge sharing, and robust development workflows to maintain high-quality standards. Coordinating multiple teams working on different parts of the system meant handling dependencies carefully to ensure seamless integration of new features and updates.
Ensuring system stability while introducing enhancements required us to strike a balance between innovation and rigorous validation processes. With multiple generations of mobile technology (from 2G to 5G) coexisting within the same ecosystem, we had to ensure backward compatibility while optimising for the latest standards, adding another layer of complexity.
Security and compliance were also critical. Given the sensitive nature of telecommunications infrastructure, we had to strictly adhere to industry standards and regulatory requirements to maintain software integrity and reliability.
Our role
Engineering Scalable and High-Performance Telecom Solutions
Our engineers formed a self-organising, cross-functional team responsible for the full development lifecycle of the Software Radio System. The project was structured into two key teams:
The Feature Development Team
Focused on developing new functionalities, particularly within the Radio Dot System, a solution designed to enhance indoor 5G connectivity and address the growing demand for reliable network coverage in high-density environments. The team followed the Scrum methodology, working in collaboration with engineers from different locations. Regular onsite visits helped strengthen cooperation and accelerate knowledge transfer.
The Quality Assurance & Bug Fixing Team
Responsible for maintaining system stability, diagnosing, and resolving complex software issues before they impacted end users. This team specialised in troubleshooting and ensuring software reliability through a structured testing approach, leveraging automated frameworks such as Google Test (gtest) and Google Mock (gmock) to minimise defects and streamline development.
Beyond technical execution, we played an integral role in fostering collaboration across global teams. Our Agile methodology was complemented by structured communication channels, ensuring that stakeholders across different time zones remained aligned.
We utilised a centralised remote repository on Citrix, enabling seamless collaboration, version control, and real-time updates across multiple engineering teams. While much of our development was conducted remotely, we scheduled quarterly onsite visits to work directly with the client’s teams and conduct testbed evaluations in their laboratories. This hybrid approach proved invaluable in maintaining project momentum while strengthening relationships between distributed teams.
Key achievements
1
Rapid Team Expansion
Scaled from a single developer in 2017 to a dedicated engineering team delivering mission-critical features and optimising system performance in one of the most demanding telecom environments.
2
Optimised Testing & Quality Assurance
Implemented automated testing pipelines that significantly reduced defects and accelerated deployment cycles, ensuring seamless integration of new software components.
3
Seamless Integration into the Client’s Ecosystem
Established efficient collaboration workflows with global teams, enabling rapid knowledge transfer and minimising onboarding time for new engineers.
4
Accelerated Feature Delivery
Developed and deployed complex solutions, such as the Radio Dot System, which significantly enhanced indoor 5G connectivity in high-density environments. Thanks to our work, remote configuration and management of network components became possible, ensuring flexibility and improved efficiency for network operators.
5
Industry-Leading Reliability
Strengthened system resilience through continuous improvements in software architecture, leading to more stable and energy-efficient mobile networks.
Core technologies
· C++11/14/17 – Modern, efficient, and safe software development.
· Linux – A robust and scalable networking foundation.
· Protocol Buffers (protobuf) – Efficient and flexible data serialisation.
· Google Test (gtest), Google Mock (gmock) – Reliable automated testing frameworks.
· CMake, Git, Gerrit – Essential tools for version control and distributed development.
Impact
Minimising Downtime and Ensuring High-Performance Telecom Solutions
By taking ownership of software delivery and project maintenance, we enabled our client to focus on accelerating future innovations and strategic growth. Our hybrid collaboration model ensured a cost-effective and scalable approach, allowing them to optimise operational efficiency while reducing overhead costs.
Through streamlined development cycles and enhanced software reliability, the client achieved faster time-to-market for new telecommunications solutions. The robust testing and automation strategies we implemented minimised downtime, improved system stability, and increased overall network performance, directly benefiting end users and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Additionally, our ability to scale ensured seamless adaptation of resources to project needs. The ongoing partnership strengthened our client’s position in 5G technology, delivering cutting-edge solutions with maximised efficiency and long-term sustainability.
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