Measuring mobile service usage: methods and measurement points

Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of mobile service usage is increasingly difficult as a fragmented user base is accessing internet-based services using multiple wireless networks. In this paper, alternative data collection methods are reviewed. Surveys and end-user monitoring provide very detailed sample-based data, whereas wireless network data are less granular but cover an operator's entire subscriber base. Servers give detailed data on a focused user base. In future, survey-based methods will be increasingly complemented with automated measurements. Multifunctional mobile handsets and servers of internet-based service providers seem the most promising measurement points, whereas 2G/3G mobile networks are less useful as traffic leaks to alternative networks.