Signal Strength Sync: Modelling and Verifying Ofcom 4G Field Measurements Against VodafoneThree Predicted Radio Network Data

Source abstract

Mobile network operators must provide accurate estimates of their coverage for consumers. These estimates are audited by the UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom, which conducts annual testing. If Ofcom finds an average discrepancy across the country greater than 3 dBm in magnitude, the mobile network operator faces a financial penalty, so it is crucial to understand any systematic sources of error, either from the network operator's predictions, Ofcom's method of calculation, or other sources. The network operator VodafoneThree tasked us with comparing their 4G coverage predictions with the results of the Ofcom tests to understand where predictions differ from measured signal and identify potential reasons for these errors.