Spatial Data and Telecommunications

Bernard O’Leary

CallPlus/Slingshot

Why Spatial Data?• It’s one of my interests and specialties …

data with a spatial component is great fun!• Fits neatly with my company’s

sponsorship of Code Camp – free internet via WiMAX.

• ‘Real’ business scenarios leveraging spatial data not often examined.

• Spatial data in a real business context != maps. Maps are for marketing ;-)

How a Telco uses Spatial Data?• ‘Spatial-join’, or ‘point-in-polygon’ spatial

data operation - important for Utility co’s ...• Wireless Network Deployment

– Where to put your expensive base-station?– What households to market to?

• Local Loop Unbundling– What exchange to put your (e.g.) DSLAM in?– Again, what households to market to?

Tips and Tricks for Spatial Data• SQL Server 2008 Express:

– Has spatial data support, and it’s free!• NZ Post GeoPAF:

– Geo-ref’d database of ‘all’ NZ addresses. – Not free, but a fantastic dataset.

• Statistics New Zealand Census data:– Profile your customer base demographically.– Free, generalized by meshblock.

Thanks!Interested in a Junior-to-

Intermediate .NET/SQL Server Developer role?

bernardo@callplus.co.nz