ANALYSIS OF A GSM NETWORK QUALITY OF SERVICE USING CALL DROP RATE AND CALL SETUP SUCCESS RATE AS PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Abstract

Quality of Service (QoS) is an important Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that is used in
determining the efficiency of an industry in terms of availability and quality of services
rendered. In the telecommunications industry, accessibility, retainability, and connection
(voice) qualities are the three major factors used in evaluating QoS of an operator. These
affect business and research activities, security, and most importantly, they also affect the
daily activities of a common person. For consumers outside the industry, it is expected that
the maximum satisfaction should be derived from any services paid for. Over the decades,
the increase in the call drop rates and poor network availabilities within the localities, or
even while moving from one location to another had become a concern to every network
user and researchers. Hence, this paper assesses the QoS of MTN GSM network in four
geographical areas of Kaduna State (Kaduna south, Kaduna North, Zaria and Kafanchan),
Nigeria. The data collated from the management center of MTN network was used for the
evaluation of the measured KPI parameters using the data management tool. The result of
this research paper was compared with those specified by the Nigerian Communications
Commission (NCC) and were found to be better.