The quality evaluation studies in respect of mobile voice services (GSM), video-telephony (UMTS) and network coverage (GSM and WCDMA) as provided by the operators Optimus (currently Sonaecom), TMN and Vodafone Portugal, have been released today.
These ANACOM studies cover different regions and refer to the following periods:
- Main urban conurbations and main roads of Mainland Portugal, carried out from 18 September to 19 October 2007; and
- Alfa Pendular service of CP - Braga-Porto-Lisbon-Faro railway line -, carried out from 18 February to 11 March 2008.
In both studies analysis was made of the principle quality indicators, taking into account the perspective of the user and the services covered by the studies: i) network coverage; ii) service accessibility (voice and video-telephony); iii) time taken to establish calls (voice or video-telephony); iv) rate of call termination (voice or video-telephony); v) call audio quality (voice or video-telephony); vi) call video quality (voice or video-telephony).
With respect to the study carried out in the urban conurbations and main roads of Mainland Portugal, the results reveal significant differences between the GSM and UMTS networks, with the first presenting good levels of coverage and a good voice service performance, both in the urban conurbations and along the main roads (without significant differences with respect to the study carried out in November/December 2006). On the other hand the UMTS network falls short, not presenting good WCDMA coverage and with certain zones continuing to suffer from patchy coverage or from no coverage, principally along main roads. This coverage has improved, however, in comparison to the study carried out in 2006. The performance of the video-telephony service trails that observed for the voice service, especially with regard to the indicators on service accessibility and call termination rates, with the gap most notable along main roads. The average time taken to establish calls did not present significant differences between urban conurbations and main roads, with the values remaining in line with those recorded in 2006.
With respect to the study carried out on the Alfa Pendular service of CP (Portuguese Railways), significant differences were likewise found between the GSM and UMTS mobile communication systems, with the former presenting better coverage and voice service performance. When the results of the voice service are compared with those obtained in the study carried out in November 2005, improvement has been seen, above all with respect to the indicators on service accessibility and call termination rates. However, the global results of this study fall short of those observed along main roads, both for GSM and WCDMA. The performance of the video-telephony service is strongly penalised by low levels of service accessibility, especially between Lisbon and Faro. The average times taken to establish calls, as in the voice service, are within the parameters expected for this service, with little difference between railway lines.
Consult:
- Quality Evaluation of GSM/UMTS Mobile Networks and Services in the Urban Conurbations and Main Roads of Mainland Portugal https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=675478
- Quality Evaluation of GSM/UMTS Mobile Networks and Services on the Alfa Pendular Service of CP (Portuguese Railways) https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=678198
See also:
- Agreement promoted by ANACOM ensures improved mobile network coverage on Alfa Pendular trains https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=585072
