Performance Analysis of Mobile Broadband Networks With 5G Trends and Beyond: Urban Areas Scope in Malaysia

Abstract

The performance of Mobile Broadband (MBB) services of Fourth Generation (4G) and Third Generation (3G) mobile networks over urban morphology is studied in Malaysia based on experimental measurements of drive test data. The aim of this study is to provide a roadmap for service providers to establish a realistic plan for future Fifth Generation (5G) networks. This work is a continuation of our previous work for the scope of rural areas in Malaysia. The MBB measurement data have been gathered through drive tests conducted in the urban areas of four states throughout Malaysia (namely, Klang Valley/Selangor, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah) to characterise and analyse MBB performances. The gathered data are from the cities, highways and federal roads of the chosen states, and encompasses three main Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Data has been collected in a time span of 2 months, from January to February, using the Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphone handsets. Four MBB Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are considered in this study (coverage, latency, satisfaction and speed) for two MBB services (web browsing and video streaming). The measurement data for characterising the performance of each MBB service has been collected using a dedicated smartphone handset. YouTube videos with 720p and 1080p resolutions have been sequentially streamed to assess the performance of MBB video-streaming services. Three distinct websites (Google, Instagram and mStar) have been accessed to evaluate the performance of MBB web-browsing services. The experimental methodology of this study integrates several diversified elements including four different urban states, four distinct KPIs, three main MNOs, two MBB services and two radio networks (4G and 3G), which are both accessible by the smartphones when available to mimic real-world scenarios. The results of this study reveal that the performance of 4G radio networks is generally superior to that of 3G . For instance, 4G networks achieved a vMOS score of more than 3 for both MBB video-streaming and web-browsing services, while 3G networks scored less than 3 across all four study areas. The analysed experimental results confirmed that compared to 3G networks, 4G technology presents an enhancement factor of up to 1.6 and 4.2 in download speed when streaming a video and browsing a web page, respectively. The study outcomes can contribute to the efficient planning of nonstandalone (NSA) 5G networks in Malaysia where 5G networks will be aided by existing 4G infrastructures. Analysing the 4G coverage performance is the first step towards deciding the deployment rate of NSA 5G in Malaysia.INDEX TERMS Mobile Broadband, urban areas, Malaysia, 3G and 4G networks, plans for 5G technology in Malaysia

Handover Parameters Optimisation Techniques in 5G Networks

“…To the best of our knowledge, and based on our observations with recommendations from professors, the average maximum movement speed for a car is suggested to be around 140 km/h in a study of this type. Moreover, based on the test drive study conducted in urban areas, on suburban highways, and rural areas [72,73] for a project we performed, the recommended movement speed for the car was 60 km/h to facilitate reliable measurements. Furthermore, we are currently working on different mobile speed scenarios that consider train speed and drones, which will be up to 500 km/h.…”

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

“…Accordingly, measurement campaigns were conducted to analyze the performance of MBB services in indoor and outdoor environments. Again, the main aims of the measurements and their analyses are to provide a deep understanding of policymakers and enhance competition among MBB providers in Oman, particularly on factors that can increase service efficiency, improve quality, and increase user satisfaction [2]. It also strengthens the oversight role of telecommunication services to improve the telecommunication services provided in Oman.…”

“…Mobile networks have become a strategic infrastructure for the economy in many countries, so the increasing reliance of community members on mobile broadband (MBB) networks has posed significant challenges for service providers in terms of security and compliance. The challenges may include ensuring the provision of high-quality communication services, providing coverage, and increasing customer satisfaction experience in rural and urban areas [1,2]. Mobile broadband networks provide deep-within buildings with high-speed and extremely responsive access throughout towns, cities, and villages.…”

Mapping national information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure to the requirements of potential digital health interventions in low- and middle-income countries

“…The building, trees, network density and heavy rains can cause reflection, diffraction and scattering of the mobile signal [47][48][49][50]; long distances between transmitter to receiver in the rural villages decreases the signal received by the users [51]; multiple service providers, (for example in India) such that users need to subscribe to two sim cards in a mobile phone to maintain a seamless signal coverage [52]; poor indoor coverage where signals cannot penetrate (for example inside shopping malls) [53]; network characteristics. 4G networks perform much better than 3G networks (for example in regions of Malaysia) [54]; unexpected high use of internet can exceed the capacity of the infrastructure (for example during the COVID pandemic) [55]; loss of internet for political (for example in Indonesia) [56], internet service providers (for example in Pakistan) [57] or other organisational reasons.…”