Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment
Mobile broadband (MBB) services in Lagos, Nigeria are marred with poor signal quality and inconsistent user experience, which can result in frustrated end-users and lost revenue for service providers. With the introduction of 5G, it is becoming more necessary for 4G LTE users to find ways of maximiz...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Future Internet |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/15/5/181 |
| _version_ | 1797600048025960448 |
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| author | Agbotiname Lucky Imoize Friday Udeji Joseph Isabona Cheng-Chi Lee |
| author_facet | Agbotiname Lucky Imoize Friday Udeji Joseph Isabona Cheng-Chi Lee |
| author_sort | Agbotiname Lucky Imoize |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mobile broadband (MBB) services in Lagos, Nigeria are marred with poor signal quality and inconsistent user experience, which can result in frustrated end-users and lost revenue for service providers. With the introduction of 5G, it is becoming more necessary for 4G LTE users to find ways of maximizing the technology while they await the installation and implementation of the new 5G networks. A comprehensive analysis of the quality of 4G LTE MBB services in three different locations in Lagos is performed. Minimal optimization techniques using particle swarm optimization (PSO) are used to propose solutions to the identified problems. A methodology that involves data collection, statistical analysis, and optimization techniques is adopted to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) for MBB services in the three locations: UNILAG, Ikorodu, and Oniru VI. The measured KPIs include reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and signal-to-noise ratio (SINR). Specific statistical analysis was performed, and the mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis were calculated for the measured KPIs. Additionally, the probability distribution functions for each KPI were plotted to infer the quality of MBB services in each location. Subsequently, the PSO algorithm was used to optimize the KPIs in each location, and the results were compared with the measured data to evaluate the effectiveness of the optimization. Generally, the optimization process results in an improvement in the quality of service (QoS) in the investigated environments. Findings also indicated that a single KPI, such as RSRP, is insufficient for assessing the quality of MBB services as perceived by end-users. Therefore, multiple KPIs should be considered instead, including RSRQ and RSSI. In order to improve MBB performance in Lagos, recommendations require mapping and replanning of network routes and hardware design. Additionally, it is clear that there is a significant difference in user experience between locations with good and poor reception and that consistency in signal values does not necessarily indicate a good user experience. Therefore, this study provides valuable insights and solutions for improving the quality of MBB services in Lagos and can help service providers better understand the needs and expectations of their end users. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:43:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c9bb079eccd54f43b8900b4516255744 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-5903 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:43:00Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Future Internet |
| spelling | doaj.art-c9bb079eccd54f43b8900b45162557442023-11-18T01:27:11ZengMDPI AGFuture Internet1999-59032023-05-0115518110.3390/fi15050181Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban EnvironmentAgbotiname Lucky Imoize0Friday Udeji1Joseph Isabona2Cheng-Chi Lee3Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos 100213, NigeriaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma 310103, NigeriaDepartment of Physics, Federal University Lokokja, Lokaja 260101, NigeriaResearch and Development Center for Physical Education, Health, and Information Technology, Department of Library and Information Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24206, TaiwanMobile broadband (MBB) services in Lagos, Nigeria are marred with poor signal quality and inconsistent user experience, which can result in frustrated end-users and lost revenue for service providers. With the introduction of 5G, it is becoming more necessary for 4G LTE users to find ways of maximizing the technology while they await the installation and implementation of the new 5G networks. A comprehensive analysis of the quality of 4G LTE MBB services in three different locations in Lagos is performed. Minimal optimization techniques using particle swarm optimization (PSO) are used to propose solutions to the identified problems. A methodology that involves data collection, statistical analysis, and optimization techniques is adopted to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) for MBB services in the three locations: UNILAG, Ikorodu, and Oniru VI. The measured KPIs include reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and signal-to-noise ratio (SINR). Specific statistical analysis was performed, and the mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis were calculated for the measured KPIs. Additionally, the probability distribution functions for each KPI were plotted to infer the quality of MBB services in each location. Subsequently, the PSO algorithm was used to optimize the KPIs in each location, and the results were compared with the measured data to evaluate the effectiveness of the optimization. Generally, the optimization process results in an improvement in the quality of service (QoS) in the investigated environments. Findings also indicated that a single KPI, such as RSRP, is insufficient for assessing the quality of MBB services as perceived by end-users. Therefore, multiple KPIs should be considered instead, including RSRQ and RSSI. In order to improve MBB performance in Lagos, recommendations require mapping and replanning of network routes and hardware design. Additionally, it is clear that there is a significant difference in user experience between locations with good and poor reception and that consistency in signal values does not necessarily indicate a good user experience. Therefore, this study provides valuable insights and solutions for improving the quality of MBB services in Lagos and can help service providers better understand the needs and expectations of their end users.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/15/5/1814G LTEkey performance indicatorsparticle swarm optimizationprobability density functionquality of serviceoptimization |
| spellingShingle | Agbotiname Lucky Imoize Friday Udeji Joseph Isabona Cheng-Chi Lee Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment Future Internet 4G LTE key performance indicators particle swarm optimization probability density function quality of service optimization |
| title | Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment |
| title_full | Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment |
| title_short | Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment |
| title_sort | optimizing the quality of service of mobile broadband networks for a dense urban environment |
| topic | 4G LTE key performance indicators particle swarm optimization probability density function quality of service optimization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/15/5/181 |
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