IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jftint/v15y2023i5p181-d1145649.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Agbotiname Lucky Imoize

    (Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos 100213, Nigeria)

  • Friday Udeji

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma 310103, Nigeria)

  • Joseph Isabona

    (Department of Physics, Federal University Lokokja, Lokaja 260101, Nigeria)

  • Cheng-Chi Lee

    (Research and Development Center for Physical Education, Health, and Information Technology, Department of Library and Information Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24206, Taiwan
    Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Asia University, Taichung City 41354, Taiwan)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Agbotiname Lucky Imoize & Friday Udeji & Joseph Isabona & Cheng-Chi Lee, 2023. "Optimizing the Quality of Service of Mobile Broadband Networks for a Dense Urban Environment," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-35, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:181-:d:1145649
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/15/5/181/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/15/5/181/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paul Terna Gbahabo & Oluseye Samuel Ajuwon, 2019. "Mobile Broadband And Economic Growth In Nigeria," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4(1), pages 65-78, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wali Aya Rumbia & Abd Azis Muthalib & Bakhtiar Abbas & Pasrun Adam & Asrul Jabani & Yuwanda Purnamasari Pasrun & Dzulfikri Azis Muthalib, 2022. "The Asymmetry Effect of Oil Consumption, Unemployment and Broadband Technology on Economic Growth in Indonesia," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(2), pages 276-281, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:181-:d:1145649. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.