The importance of performance evaluation of mobile networks is inspired by the need to
utilize the limited radio resource in the most efficient manner.This study forms a basis for the regular inspection and optimization of mobile networks in the
University of Ilorin, as well as creates a guide for path loss modeling suitable for the campus
terrain.The authors in [19], conducted a pilot study
to benchmark and evaluate the QoS experienced by mobile wireless users in Pakistan by
deploying an android application (My Speed Test PK) for mobile customers to measure the
performance of the five broadband operators (Ufone, Telenor, Zong, Warid, and Mobilink) in
Pakistan.While the operators focus on metrics like the bit error rate (BER), frame erasure rate (FER),
and mean opinion score (MOS), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has
identified some measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of
network operators in Nigeria vis-a-vis subscribers' perception.As a national regulatory body vested to establish minimum QoS standards in service delivery
for mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs), the NCC requires
that each network provider reports quarterly, on customer satisfaction in (rural, urban and suburban) Nigeria [13].Results from the study emphasized the need for optimal
coverage on all the mobile networks, as well as to have the radio frequency (RF) air interface
parameters configured to avoid problems of ping-pong handovers, and poor power control,
which causes interference and low RSSI among mobile stations (MSs).A
related study in [5] employed the drive test method with statistical analysis models (chi-square
and Fisher's tests) for the performance benchmarking of GSM and Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS) network operators in Ankara, Turkey.The continuous increase in
demand, for high-quality service, coupled with the future telecommunication network target of
providing integrated services with multimedia applications, over low-powered mobile
computing devices, has further increased the need for evaluating the performance of mobile
networks [1 - 4]. This justifies previous statistics by the NCC in May 2016 to
April 2017, that amongst the four major MNOs, only one performed outstandingly (satisfying
the minimum requirement and beyond) in network accessibility, while one of the MNOs
performed poorly in network retainability [14].From the drive test analysis, the problem identified across
the three GSM clusters were - reduced power output, poor transmission line, increased
interference, coverage hole, cross feeder, overshooting, amongst others.However, from
technical and regulatory perspectives, network performance evaluation is necessary for assessing
and measuring the coverage, capacity, and quality of mobile networks with respect to the service
level agreement (SLA) signed with the regulators.While past studies have critically evaluated the performance of GSM and WCDMA/UMTS
networks from customers' viewpoint, the study in [25] demystifies the root cause of poor
network signal strength and its impact on the QoS provisioning by MNOs.In a populated urban area with a literate population such as the University of Ilorin, radio
resource availability and reliability is a factor that determines the success of mobile
communication.This incessant complaint which has made many staff and
students, each, to subscribe to more than one network operators' service, is an indicator of poor
QoS in the University of Ilorin, and by extension most urban centers in Nigeria.The analysis of the performance obtained by mobile wirel meticulous measurement for the mobile network operators (EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three) in the
United Kingdom [23].It has, increasingly, become evident and pronounced that the Nigerian
telecommunication sector has been plagued with problems, causing frustration among
consumers.