Quality of Service Evaluation of Voice over UMTS Network . The case of Addis Ababa
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Date
2012-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In mobile communication systems the demand for real-time and high quality services, such as voice and video, is on the rise. Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is one candidate technology to fulfill the above demand. Quality of service (QoS) in UMTS network is the capability of UMTS service providers to provide satisfactory services to their customers. On the other hand, quality of experience (QoE) is how a user perceives the usability of a service when in use.
QoS can be measured from a network perspective (via the network management system) and from a user perspective (via drive test system). In UMTS network, the former QoS measurement is called control plane system while the latter is called the user plane system. The control plane system generates QoS indicator parameters such as network geographic observation; network coverage and quality analysis; and network performance analysis parameters. The user plane system on the other hand generates QoS indicator parameters such as coverage analysis; quality analysis; accessibility; retainability and mobility parameters.
The current UMTS network infrastructure deployed in the Addis Ababa city, which is solely managed by ethio telecom, is undergoing major expansions in the last 4 years and resulted in a tangible improvement of coverage and quality. However, there are complaints from subscribers from various parts of the city. This thesis intends to evaluate the voice transmission QoS of existing UMTS network in the city of Addis Ababa.
QoS Evaluation of Voice over UMTS Network: The case of Addis Ababa Page IV
The evaluation is made by analyzing collected real data from both control plane and user plane systems, by using industry-standard analysis tools such as Element Management System (M2000), Performance Surveillance (PRS), Nastar, Nemo handy, Nemo outdoor and Actix Analyzer.
The analysis results show that, in general, there are some disparities between the ethio telecom targets and analysis results, which indicate the need to further improve the voice QoS. To improve the quality of voice transmission the recommended interventions include: implementation of QoS manager in different levels of network, appropriate resource allocation in the network, check if the inter node B distance or inter system distance (ISD) meet the required separation and finally, organizing the city’s UMTS coverage in a hierarchical ways.
Key Words: UMTS; Coverage; QoE and QoS
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Keywords
Coverage, QoE, QoS, Umts