Measuring QoE of mobile data applications: behind the scenes (part 2 of 3)
In the previous post, we explained how to measure QoE of mobile data applications on smartphones by means of success rate and the duration of a series of actions. Based on large-scale real field data, we showed how the duration saturates at higher available network speeds. But where does saturation come from? And what is going on in the background,…
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Measuring QoE of mobile data applications, e.g. Facebook (part 1 of 3)
Today, there are a huge number of apps available for smartphones covering almost any use case one can think of. Network providers want to ensure that their mobile connection offers everyone a smooth usage experience, especially for the most popular smartphone apps such as Facebook. To do this, they need targeted mobile data application tests. In this blog series, we…
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NB-IoT: how to test quality of service in NB-IoT networks (part 4)
NB-IoT networks are designed for machine-to-machine communication, which generally requires low data rates. When building NB-IoT networks, it is essential to test the performance of new implementations to ensure that the required network quality is available. Tests to measure quality of service (QoS) in NB-IoT networks are typically performed with NB-IoT modules that are controlled by software. Our measurement software…
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HetNets/Small cells: verifying indoor deployments (part 4 of 4)
HetNets and small cell indoor deployments are an effective means to deal with the exponentially increasing data consumption in mobile networks. After the careful planning and actual installation of a new small cell network, it’s time to verify the commissioned indoor deployments and ensure quality of experience (QoE). Both are best achieved with a commercially available smartphone, designed for reliable…
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Interference hunting: the real meaning of automatic direction finding
The need for interference hunting in mobile networks is steadily increasing. And field engineers often ask us which tool we would recommend to be successful in the field. With decades of expertise, what we can say for sure is that it depends: the right tool for successful field service operations depends on the source of interference. Sources are manifold, but…
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Certified Partner Program to address network challenges end-to-end
The testing and benchmarking of mobile networks has reached an unprecedented level of complexity. Considering the rapid technological advancements and continuous introduction of new technologies, such as IoT, 4×4 MIMO and soon 5G, it is very likely that network complexity will continue to increase. To better address current and future network testing challenges, we launched a unique partner program. Hanspeter…
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Measuring quality of experience in public benchmarking campaigns
When studying rankings of mobile operators in specialist publications, you often learn about maximum download and upload speeds, the reliability and availability of offered services, and data transport performance. These technical parameters describing quality of service (QoS) are the bedrock of a reliable mobile service and a well-performing network; they are the basis for subscriber satisfaction. But are they enough…
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SmartBenchmarker’s reliable alarming interface for easier drive tests
A reliable alarming interface is crucial for drive testing, even more so when your network engineers control a large drive test fleet remotely from the office, for example when benchmarking mobile networks with SmartBenchmarker. What the alarming system must provide and how it is used varies with each user role. In an earlier post, I talked about user roles. Here’s a…
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NB-IoT: field report with results from NB-IoT UE measurements (part 3)
After the overview of IoT technologies with a focus on NB-IoT and the discussion about why scanners are a must for NB-IoT coverage measurements, part 3 of this blog series is a field report describing key results that can be obtained by using NB-IoT user equipment as data collection tools. For this, we connected pre-commercial NB-IoT modules and modems to…
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The world’s first 5G NR network measurement solution
Rohde & Schwarz is pioneering 5G New Radio (5G NR) network measurements with the world’s first commercially available 5G NR network measurement solution. This solution enables users in the 5G network ecosystem as well as regulators to measure the 5G NR network coverage accurately – one of the biggest challenges in network planning. more...
Introducing SmartBenchmarker – Benchmarking tests made easier
In the fast-paced and highly competitive world of mobile network operators and service providers, performing regular benchmarking tests is an essential and future-proof investment. To make smart decisions about future expansions and deployments, reliable and reproducible network performance data is essential. With SmartBenchmarker, you can perform accurate and advanced benchmarking tests that not only are in line with the latest... more...
Pioneers in NB-IoT field measurements
We are paving the way to NB-IoT by providing the world’s first accurate LTE/NB-IoT coverage measurement solution: via a software upgrade, the R&S ROMES drive test software now also supports NB-IoT coverage measurements with R&S TSMx scanners. more...
