Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has released the results of the 2nd quarter 2019, after conducting quarterly quality of service (QoS) survey jointly with Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) using NEMO automated QoS tool. During the period, six cities of Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) have been surveyed. The names of these cities are Jhelum, Noshki, Bannu, Bahawalnagar, Dera Murad Jamali and Faisalabad.
The performance of data services of CMOs has been checked by measuring User Data Throughput and Signal Strength (ie Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) for 3G and Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) for 4G) KPIs. User Data Throughput, one of the KPIs, defines user data rate (internet speed) to be provided by the NGMS operators to mobile-users across the coverage areas. User data "throughput" of 3G services was found higher than the benchmark value of 256Kbps. User data "throughput" of 4G services was found higher than the benchmark value of 2Mpbs.
Signal strength: This KPI defines Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) for 3G and Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) for 4G and denotes the power measured by a receiver on a particular physical communication channel. It is used as an indication of signal strength, as a handover criterion, in downlink power control, and to calculate path loss. Signal Strength (RSCP) of 3G network has been observed greater than -100dBm threshold value. Signal Strength (RSRP) of 4G network has been observed greater than -100dBm threshold value.
The performance of voice services of CMOs has been checked by measuring network down time/network accessibility, grade of service, service accessibility, call connection time, call completion ratio, end-to-end speech quality and session abnormal release rate key performance indicators (KPIs). Network accessibility: "The probability that mobile services are available to an end customer display of the network indicator on the mobile equipment."
Network accessibility is converse of network down time and its value found greater than threshold value of 99% of all the mobile operators Grade of Service (GOS)."Grade of Service is probability that the end customer cannot access the mobile services when requested if it is offered by display of the network indicator on the mobile phone. In simple words, grade of service is network blocking." All mobile operators are meeting the threshold value of grade of service.
Service accessibility is the probability that the user can access the desired service. A given network accessibility is a precondition for this phase. All mobile operators are meeting the criteria of Service Accessibility Call Connection Time. "Call Connection time is the time between sending of complete call initiation information by the caller and in return receipt of call setup notification. In simple words, it is time between dialing a number and hearing ring-back tone." All CMOs are following the benchmark of call connection time of 6.5 seconds.
"Call Completion Ratio is the probability that a service, once obtained, will continue to be provided under the given conditions for a given time duration or until deliberately terminated by either caller (A-party) or receiver (B-party). In simple words, this KPI provides information about call drops." All mobile operators are meeting Call Completion Ratio threshold value of 98 percent.
End-to-End Speech Quality is the degree of speech quality that a listener perceives at the terminal/mobile phone with a talker at the other end. In simple words, it provides information about clarity of voice. End-to-End Speech Quality/Mean Opinion Score (MOS) of all mobile operators was found above the threshold value of 3.
The performance of SMS services of CMOs has been checked by measuring SMS Success Rate and End-to-End SMS Delivery Time key performance indicators (KPIs). SMS success rate is the probability that the short message is delivered successfully, end-to-end when requested and display of the relevant information on the mobile phone. It provides information about the successful delivery of SMS. SMS Success Rate for all CMOs is above the threshold value of 99 percent.