Problems Of Congestion In Mobile Networks

The problem of congestion in Nigeria is not a personal thing; it is a national calamity, which some of the government officials in position of authority fail to appreciate.

This is where one of the hindrances to the solution lies.There is an adage that says ‘an identified problem is half solved’.

I am sure that the Director of NCC carries two or more phones like some of us who wish to be able to communicate at all times. 

Alternatively, experts in the field should discuss discuss the problem of poor mobile phone quality, because it is a national problem that has been lingering since GSM was first launched in Nigeria. This is not the time for complacency or self denial, but a time to face reality.

I will briefly discuss my research and associated outcomes. 

Research into Congestion in the Network

1) that mobile operators’ networks are enormously congested and that congestion is on the rise between 2005 and 2011;

2) that there is inconsistent and variable services delivery by operators from one big city to another, with the smaller cities on the receiving end;

3) that the numerous announced or displayed error messages do not represent or reflect the actual problem encountered in the mobile networks and

4) that registration of SIM cards, though plausible, has introduced another layer of hardships for mobile customers in smaller cities.

“The two test phones for each operator are place uninhibited on a desk in the test room. Both phones are therefore registered with the same Base station subsystem.

So, near perfect results were expected because this test scenario was the Least Common Denominator of fault expectancy. Results from test calls between two phones in different base stations or switching centres should produce more challenging outcomes.

Rural area calls would even be more challenging. So, it should be noted that based on the test scenario chosen, a call failure of more than 1% represents a serious congested network and it is therefore unacceptable.”

Congestion is the common cause of “drop calls” or a phone user’s inability to make through-connected calls. A drop call is one of over a hundred (100) quality of service indicators.

I hope the new government works on a way to battle this issue, that affects even they that are holding this big post.