Spatial Variation of the Received Signal Strength of Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) over Dutsin-Ma Town, Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

The need for coverage areas assessment is important at ensuring quality of service. This study investigated the spatial variation of the Received Signal Strength (RSS) of MTN in Dutsin-Ma Town, Katsina State, Nigeria. The RSS was measured along four different routes from the main Transmitting Base Station (TBS) located at Unity Bank area using an Android Smartphone Samsung Galaxy Model A20. GPS receiver was used to monitor the elevation, geographic coordinates and Line-of-Sight of the various data points from the TBS up to about 2 km for each route using drive test protocol. Three sets of measurements were carried out covering morning, afternoon and evening. The obtained data were used to classify the coverage areas into Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Fringe based on 3/4G-GSM standards. From the results, the mean values of the RSS for Routes A, B, C and D were -62, -91 and -75 dBm; -71, -90 and -85 dBm; -68, -99 and -83 dBm; -63, -93 and -83 dBm for morning, afternoon and evening respectively. These findings revealed that MTN RSS is more reliable in the morning and evening compared to the afternoon over Dutsin-Ma. This could be attributed to higher tower load which characterizes the afternoon times compared to morning and evening. Results also revealed that Route A, has the Best Area Network coverage, followed by routes D and B, while route C recorded the weakest. MTN Nigeria is advised to site more TBS in Dutsin-Ma to improve their quality of services in the community.