Charles Donald Mwakapola
Dar es Salaam,Tanzania
Summary
Accomplished RF engineer specializing in design, testing, Infrastucture implementation and optimization of Telecommunication systems and electromagnetic components. Expertise in utilizing spectrum Analyzers, network Analyzers, and signal generators for effective troubleshooting and hardware calibration. Proven project management skills facilitate successful planning and execution of RF engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery of results.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior RF ENGINEER
WANANCHI TELECOM (Isatafrica)
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2015 - 07.2026
- Responsible for design and implementation of RF infrastructure
- Responsible for installation and maintenance of all Ground satellite and Wireless systems
- Conduct site field testing, surveys for wireless broadband data and Internet connectivity
- Conduct RF interference testing to secure transmitted and received signals
- Conduct technical Training to Technical and Network Operation center staff
- Perform multi-radio coexistence mitigation (including RF link budget planning and issue debugging, RFI scan)
- Plan & design Long Distance Fiber network deployment and expansion of existing network, ensuring resilient, flexible and scalable managed network
- Implementation of RF over Fiber links for VSAT systems
- Evaluate technical bids from contractors
- Ensure project timelines are met and resolve escalated issues affecting roll out of Satellite systems
- Ensure testing, commissioning and integration of fiber optic and VSAT infrastructure
- Plan project, define activities and deliverables, prepare project documentation, plans, network drawing, etc
- Assist in prioritization, scheduling and coordination of daily maintenance work for Fiber, Wireless and VSAT
- To ensure that link budget is within limit as per link design
- Vendor evaluation & finalization for cable route, OFC & accessories supplies
- Understanding of fiber optic cable splicing and testing process
- Project planning and management, defining deliverables and preparing project documentation
- Verification of material delivery & job execution by vendors on sites
Senior Engineer & HEAD OF VSAT DEPERTMENT
SIMBANET (T) LTD
01.2002 - 01.2014
- Project Design, Planning, Scheduling, Implementation, Managing, Hardware & Software system integration, Project Coordination, Project monitoring, Network Management, Trouble shooting and providing customer support
- Installation, troubleshooting, repair and preventive maintenance for Vsat Hub and Vsat Customers
- Travelled extensively throughout Africa for installation and troubleshooting problems for Higher learning institutions, Interpol, Maesk, Danmex and ‘SimbaNET site out of th country
- Managing system integration, design and resolving technical issues for surveillance products, satellite communication system and Telecom products
- Solution architecture for communication systems products (VSAT Antenna and Wireless solutions)
- Co-ordination with vendors, channel partners & distributors regarding technical solutions & problems
- Preparation of Bill of Material
- Handling techno-commercial task involving tendering in compliance to the technical bid standards
- Installation & Supervision of VSAT antenna & DSNG antenna
- Project execution
- Site installation (Electronics/Electrical & Telecommunication Equipment) as per drawings
- Structural cabling for data transmission & Electrical
- System integration
- Pre-commissioning Test
- Commissioning & Testing
- Responsible for product demonstration, BTS and BSC Antennas installation
- Preparation of detailed project report
- Technical Support for the company products
- Trouble shooting and providing customer support
- Subscriber complaint handling and management
- Managing system integration, design and resolving technical issues for surveillance products, satellite communication system and Telecom products
- Solution architecture for communication systems products (VSAT Antenna)
- Co-ordination with vendors, channel partners & distributors regarding technical solutions & problems
- Projects: Project completed of 4.9 M , and 3.8 Earth Station Antenna at SimbaNET HUB –Tanzania
- Installed 4.5m antenna and radio configurations for Radio Tanzania in four regions, Lindi, Songea, Nachingwea and Kigoma
- Idirect Hub on a 4.9m C band antenna
- DSNG UPLINK for channel 10 Tv, Imaani TV, Radio 5, Wasafi, Arise and shine TV, Upendo TV, Clouds FM and Ebony Fm Radio – Tanzania
- Installed uplink system for Salam radio- Mombasa Kenya
- Installed and commissioned IDIRECT Hub – Lagos Nigeria
- Installed and commissioned Vsat and indoor electronic for Maesk- Luanda and Namibe, Angola
- Installed and commissioned Interpol Vsat system for Tanzania, Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and Comoro
- Successful restored Internet service in Seychelles using VSAT system
- Established Sapitwa ISP Network – Lilongwe Malawi
- Implemented safety protocols, enhancing workplace conditions.
- Conducted comprehensive system tests for quality assurance purposes.
- Led team meetings, fostering open communication and collaboration.
TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEER
TRITEL
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Company Overview: (GSM NETWORK)
- Optimized, analyzed and improved performance of GSM network per client specification
- Monitored and analyzed statistical and drive test data to improve system performance indicators such as dropped calls, blocked calls, orientation failures and hand-off features
- Worked in coordination with telecommunications and software engineers to integrate designs into large scale communication systems
- Responsible for capacity planning, GSM frequency planning and frequency hopping through carrier/interference(C/I) ratio analysis
- Implementation of international roaming data base
- Minimum supervision with focus on meeting deadline while observing
- (GSM NETWORK)
Education
BSC - Electrical Engineering
Makerere University
Kampala, UgandaSkills
Expertise in the design, testing, and optimization of wireless communication systems and electromagnetic components
Testing and Measurement: Mastery of specialized equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and signal generators to troubleshoot and calibrate hardware
Project management skills to plan and execute RF engineering projects, manage resources and schedules, and ensure timely delivery of deliverables
Other awards and trainings
- Unix System administration
- Certified Vsat Installer – Dubai
- Intelsat Technical Training for Africa - Fuchssdat, Germany
- Certified Optical fiber technician - Dar Es Salaam
- IT Project Management Capacity Building course - AeRC Training Centre, Nairobi
- Motorola Select V Technical training - Danmex Denmark
- Design of iDirect Network and Vsat Products – Nairobi, Kenya
References
- James Kiiru, Wananchi Telecom, Box 14400-00800, Nairobi, Kenya, 00800, +254 734 391 378, james.kiiru@ke.wananchi.com
- Dr John P Mwakyusa, ASS. Professor, University of Dar Es Salaam, Box 35046, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, +255 754 384 453, qusa5@yahoo.com
Contact address
cmwakapola@gmail.com, PO Box 14400-00800, Nairobi, Nairobi, 00800, Balozi Estate, Corner Garden C11, Nairobi, Nairobi, 00800, +254792781037, +255754722222
Personal biodata
Charles Donald Mwakapola, 03/26/70, Married, Christian, Male,Tanzanian
Timeline
Senior RF ENGINEER
WANANCHI TELECOM (Isatafrica)
01.2015 - 07.2026
Senior Engineer & HEAD OF VSAT DEPERTMENT
SIMBANET (T) LTD
01.2002 - 01.2014
TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEER
TRITEL
01.1999 - 01.2002
BSC - Electrical Engineering
Makerere University