The latest report assessing mobile network and service quality in the Autonomous Regions, carried out by ANACOM, has been released. The work consists of an evaluation of the quality of mobile voice services (GSM), video-telephony (UMTS) and network coverage (GSM and WCDMA) provided by the operators OPTIMUS, TMN and VODAFONE in the main urban areas – Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo and Funchal – and along the main roads of the Azores and Madeira.
Six indicators were analysed in this study, with field measurements taken in June and July 2007: network coverage (GSM and WCDMA); service accessibility (voice and video-telephony); call termination rates (voice and video-telephony); call audio quality (voice and video-telephony); and call video quality (video-telephony). These same indicators also formed the basis of the most recent study on the assessment of mobile network and service quality for Mainland Portugal, published in March 2007.
In total 9,076 test calls were made and 1,259,005 radio signal measurements were taken, corresponding to over 83 hours of measurement over 3,269 kilometres.
The results show that, in general terms, GSM coverage is more widespread than WCDMA coverage, although with both technologies large areas were found with insufficient or non-existent coverage, especially along main roads. Good results were found for the voice service in urban areas, but along main roads deterioration in this service was found, especially in respect of the “service accessibility” and “call termination rates” indicators. Video-telephony was found to have poorer performance than the voice service, especially in respect of the “service accessibility” indicator, due to there being large areas without WCDMA radio coverage, with the lowest level found along main roads.
Consult:
- GSM/ UMTS Mobile Networks and Services - Assessment of QoS of Voice and Video-telephony Services and Network Coverage (June/July 2007) - Azores and Madeira https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=678298
See also:
- Operators have shortcomings in 3G coverage of the Azores Archipelago https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=557409
