Abstract:
The ongoing growth of portable devices like smartphones and tablet computers, combined with the widespread deployment of cellular network infrastructure, has covered the way for global Internet access. Concurrently, usage of mobile services has also become a need for many commuters on public transportation vehicles. However, on their way to work and back home, users face fluctuating signal strengths and bandwidth, thereby influencing the perceived quality of service (QoS) significantly. In this report, we analyze the signal strength and data rate fluctuations during different times of the day. In order to do this+, we first generate a comprehensive data set of locations, signal strength, and data rate logs along a metro bus route covering 22.5 km. The measurements were conducted on HSPA+ network using an android smartphone. Then, the correlations between 1) location and signal strength, and 2) location and actual downlink throughput, are investigated. Our analysis reveals that geographical location and time of the day can play an important role in estimating the future QoS a user will encounter along a trip. With this information, 1) network providers may develop predictive content delivery schemes to proactively counter the QoS fluctuations in advance, and sustain long-term user satisfaction and 2) we can recommend metro bus users that which cellular company is being providing better services with respect to time.
