A Framework for a User-Centric Determination of Mobile Broadband Performance in Nigeria

Umoh, Vincent B.; Ubom, Emmanuel A.; Umoh, Joan B.; Ekpe, Unwana M.

doi:10.1109/icmeas52683.2021.9692425

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The measurement method adopted is similar to that of the NORNET platform [14] and relies on a novel Raspberry Pibased MBB measurement testbed as shown in Figure 1. The framework for this simplified infrastructure was first proposed in [23]. Details of the materials used, configuration, testing and subsequent operation of the testbed has been reported in [24].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparative study of user experienced mobile broadband performance

Umoh¹,

Ukommi²,

Ekpe³

2022

Nig. J. Tech.

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Even though the proliferation of handheld mobile communication devices has deepened Internet and broadband penetration in Nigeria, users of such services may not have detailed quantitative performance comparison between the services provided by different network operators. The study here reported is therefore an attempt to bridge the information gap. A measurement testbed based on the Raspberry Pi platform was developed to autonomously measure the mobile broadband performance of third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) broadband networks of the four major mobile network operators in the country. Under static access conditions, the system was set up to measure the upload throughput, download throughput and latency from a user-centric perspective. The measurements were taken by simultaneously sampling the networks of four mobile broadband service providers (9Mobile, Airtel, Globacom and MTN) over a period of three weeks in the city of Uyo, Nigeria. The results obtained revealed that Airtel achieved the highest peak download rate for 3G throughput, and this was only 1.41 Mbps higher than the least performing MNO. Also, it was found that MTN’s download rate peaked at 35.06 Mbps, and this was over 300% of the rate achieved by the fourth rated network in terms of the 4G download throughput metric. The measurement results also revealed that peak usage periods, defined as the hours between 7pm and 11pm, witnessed higher variability in throughput rates than other periods.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparative study of user experienced mobile broadband performance

Umoh¹,

Ukommi²,

Ekpe³

2022

Nig. J. Tech.

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“…According to the findings, the 4G networks delivered better coverage, reduced latency, more user satisfaction, and faster speeds. The research work in [28] performed measurement evaluation for certain MBB networks in Nigeria. Two cities were chosen as pilot measurements, and the measurements were carried out using a mobile phone application from a user-centric approach.…”

Section: Related Studies and Contributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurements and Analyses of 4G/5G Mobile Broadband Networks: An Overview and a Case Study

El‐Saleh

Jahdhami

Alhammadi

et al. 2023

Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing

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Mobile data has become an integral part of everyday life, making Internet trends more and more profound and deeply embedded in life and the future. Mobile broadband (MBB) is one of the main aims of fifth-generation (5G) networks due to unprecedented growth in data demand. However, 5G networks are not yet deployed in many countries, whereas existing MBB networks, such as third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G), are available in most world countries. As a result, there is a need to monitor and troubleshoot end-to-end network performance and ensure a better user experience. This paper provides an overview of MBB networks in terms of deployment environments, performance metrics, and implementation scenarios. It highlights the most important criteria for assessing MBB performance and the applications and measurement methods utilized, such as external and internal measurements and the classification of geographical areas. In addition, it provides measurement-based performance analyses of two existing mobile network operators (MNOs) (Omantel and Ooredoo) in the Sultanate of Oman. This performance analysis uses data measurements in various indoor and outdoor environments in five cities (Muscat, Ibra, Sur, Bahla, and Al kamil Wal Wafi). Several performance metrics are considered, such as signal level and quality, throughput, ping rate, and handover. Experimental results demonstrate that the 4G networks were the dominant networks in all measured locations for indoor and outdoor scenarios. Moreover, 5G data measurements are also recorded in the capital city of Oman, Muscat. The results of the 5G measurements show that both MNOs achieved a higher data rate with a lower ping rate.

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