ICP launches quality tests to mobile networks

On 17 January 2000, ICP started testing the quality of the services provided bx the Optimus, Telecel and TMN operators. The indicators considered to be most pertinent to consumers will be taken into consideration by using specific equipment. Once all data has been gathered, it will be statistically processed and disseminated in a regular manner to the general public.

These tests will allow one to evaluate essential service indicators, namely: Accessibility, which consists in verifying the capacity for establishing calls from a mobile network; Coverage, which verifies the signal levels; and Auditory Quality,which will measure the blarity of calls by establishing a successful connection and during a predefined space of time, among others.

The tests have already been scheduled and will run up until the end of March during this first phase. For this purpose, the cities with the highest population density - i.e. a higher traffic volume - have been chosen, as well as the main motorway points in Portugal.

Readings will be carried out under the same circumstances for all three operators. Thus, equipment is programmed so that it always establishes three simultaneous connections from each mobile network. Each of these connections will be maintained during 75 seconds, and repeated every 2 minutes. If the first attempt at establishing a connection fails, a second attempt will be possible.

Connections within the same mobile network will be tested, as well as mobile-fixed and fixed-mobile connections. All readings will be carried out whilst in motion. In the case of motorways, said readings will be carried out in both directions. For connections within the same mobile network, some of the equipment is in motion while the other remains static.

Therefore, each of the itineraries is tested three times, by establishing mobile-fixed, fixed-mobile and intra-network mobile-mobile calls. In the case of localities, gathering information will take approximately four hours for mobile-fixed and fixed-mobile connections and two hours for intra-network connections.

The test matrix, as well as the test chronogram follows below.

FTS: Fixed Telephone Service