Major Mobile Network Operators Research Articles

A statistical comparative performance analysis of mobile network operators

Mobile telephony is one of the most widely utilized technologies in the modern world. Records of the usage behaviour of mobile users can provide valuable information for understanding the behaviour of networks for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). For different reasons, MNOs are interested in knowing how their competitors’ performance varies based on location, phone category, phone Operating System (OS) for various cellular network technology (CNT). This can help MNOs to invest intelligently in locations where they operate with inferior performance. Therefore, Key Performance Indicator (KPI) comparisons among MNOs are of interest for all MNOs. In this article, we investigate cellular network performance statistical comparisons of major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Turkey using a large scale real-world proprietary mobile traffic dataset over a period of 18 months. Focusing our approach on different dimensions of crowd-sourced dataset allows us: (i) to know end-to-end nationwide network performance comparisons of MNOs using real-world measurement data, (ii) to calculate Confidence Intervals (CIs) for the mean difference of KPIs (such as downlink speed, latency, jitter and packet loss) for obtaining useful comparative statistical information of MNO performances and (iii) to observe the existence of significant performance differences between MNOs depending on the region which they are operating, phone category, phone OS as well as CNTs.

Real-world cell phone radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposures

In 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) from cell phones as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The National Toxicology Program and the Ramazzini Institute have both reported that RF EMF exposures significantly increase gliomas and Schwannomas of the heart in rodent studies. Recent studies indicate that RF EMF exposures from cell phones have negative impacts on animal cells and cognitive and/or behavioral development in children. Case-control epidemiological studies have found evidence for cell phone use and increased risk for glioma and localization of the glioma associated with the consistent exposure site of regular cell phone use. Understanding the exposure level, or power density, from RF EMF emitted by cell phones under real-world usage and signal reception conditions, as distinct from the published measurements of maximum Specific Absorption Rate values, may help cell phone users decide whether to take behavioral steps to reduce RF EMF exposure. Exposure measurements were conducted on phone models from four major mobile network operators (MNOs) in the USA for calls received under strong and weak reception signal conditions, near the phone face and at several distances up to 48 cm. RF EMF exposure from all phones was found to be greater under weak (1–2 display bars) than under strong (4–5 display bars) reception signal conditions by up to four orders of magnitude. Notably, RF EMF exposure levels under weak reception signal conditions at a distance of 48 cm from the phone were similar to or greater than those detected under strong reception signal conditions at a distance of 4 cm. Under weak reception signal conditions, power density reductions of up to 90% occurred at 16 cm typical for speaker phone or texting over the 4 cm near-ear exposure. The results of this investigation of second-generation (2G) technology suggest that reduced and precautionary use of cell phones under weak signal conditions could lower a user's RF EMF exposure by up to several orders of magnitude. Bluetooth headset power density exposures were 10–400 times lower than those of the cell phones to which they were connected and dependent on the headset rather than the connected phone. The results of this study informed the development of public health guidance regarding cell phone use.

The Study of Quality of Service on a Major Mobile Network Operator in Ghana

The Study of Quality of Service on a Major Mobile Network Operator in Ghana

Wide-area Wireless Communication Challenges for the Internet of Things

The deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and services is accelerating, aided by ubiquitous wireless connectivity, declining communication costs, and the emergence of cloud platforms. Most major mobile network operators view machine-to-machine (M2M) communication networks for supporting IoT as a significant source of new revenue. In this article, we discuss the need for wide-area M2M wireless networks, especially for short data packet communication to support a very large number of IoT devices. We first present a brief overview of current and emerging technologies for supporting wide area M2M, and then using communication theory principles, discuss the fundamental challenges and potential solutions for these networks, highlighting tradeoffs and strategies for random and scheduled access. We conclude with recommendations for how future 5G networks should be designed for efficient wide-area M2M communications.

Adoption of mobile payment systems: a study on mobile wallets

This study aims to understand the factors contributing to consumer attitude development towards and intention to use mobile payment systems. One of major mobile network operators’ mobile wallet application in Turkey was used as a proxy of the mobile payment systems. Survey methodology is used to collect data from subscribers by stratified random sampling among two distinct groups (users and nonusers). A total of 1395 questionnaires were collected from subscribers and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The findings highlight the importance of ease of use and usefulness in attitude development. On the other hand, security concerns were found to have low level of effects on attitudes and use intentions. Effect of social influence was found to be insignificant among the users. There were differences between users’ and non-users’ perceptions and beliefs indicated by significant differences in the majority of the constructs employed in the study.

The heterogeneity of incumbents' perceptions and response strategies in the face of potential disruptions

PurposeThis paper aims to study how three incumbent mobile network operators (MNOs) in Germany forecasted, framed and responded in terms of their strategy to the emergence of the wireless local area network technology (W‐LAN) and how they interpreted this potential technological disruption in their own strategic context.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on empirical evidence from case studies conducted with these three major MNOs in Germany using the theoretical framework of disruptive technology, the results were then evaluated in a cross‐case analysis to study how these firms interpreted and reacted to the potential disruptiveness of W‐LAN. To meet this objective, an explorative, multiple and holistic case study design was utilized. Data was collected by the combination of information gained through semi‐structured interviews with key informants and background information that were publicly available. Interviews were conducted with company representatives using a semi‐structured interview guide. Information gathered from the interview, documentation and direct observations was transposed into a content analysis framework to enable easy analysis of the information gathered for each company.FindingsAs a result, significant differences for the respective MNOs between their perception of W‐LAN as a potential disruptive technology, their strategic development processes inside the organisation to understand the potential impact of W‐LAN on their respective business model, and to enforce an appropriate response strategy and structural implementation were identified. The results indicated that corporate representatives from each incumbent interpreted potentially disruptive technologies like W‐LAN from a different perspective and direction depending primarily on the strategic and structural context and their organisation's resources, processes, and values. The findings also identified that practitioners inside the organisation were aware about the disruptive technology concept but however did not react in accordance with the theory. Forecasting results and categorisation that prove wrong can still lead to taking the right action since it seems to provide better results than non‐forecasting and inactivity due to a lack of awareness of potential risks.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisation and need to be further studied in a larger number of cases with different technologies and industries.Social implicationsFor managers and forecasters the study indicates that they should consider the impact of the heterogeneity in firms when formulating a response strategy based on their respective perception of the impact of a potential disruptive technology on their business. They should also be considerate about the consistency between their motivation to respond, the strategic development processes inside their organisation supporting the development of the response strategy and the subsequent structural implementation. Threat‐framing seemed to be a key factor in unlocking resources even in the face of sustaining technological change and can be activated by threatening forecasts.Originality/valueThe consideration of incumbent heterogeneity in different framing settings and the resulting innovation categorisation with respect to the organisational actions and outcomes was not studied before.

The response strategies of incumbent mobile network operators on the disruptive potential of public W-LAN in Germany

This paper examines how three incumbent mobile network operators (MNOs) in Germany responded in terms of their strategy to the emergence of the wireless local area network (W-LAN) technology and how they interpreted this potentially disruptive technology in their own strategic context. Additionally, prior empirical results and forecasts on the limited disruptive potential of W-LAN for the German MNOs lacked persuasive firm-level evidence to distinguish the real reason for the presented observations and analysis. So far it was unclear whether the observations were caused by successful response strategies of incumbent MNOs or by the inherent limited disruptive potential of the W-LAN technology. For this purpose case studies of three major MNOs in Germany were performed to assess and compare their respective response strategies. Using the theoretical framework of disruptive technology, the results were evaluated in a cross-case analysis to study how these firms interpreted and reacted to the potential disruptiveness of W-LAN. The results indicate significant differences for the respective MNOs between their perception of W-LAN as a potential disruptive technology, their strategic development processes inside the organisation to understand the potential impact of W-LAN on their respective business model, and to enforce an appropriate response strategy and structural implementation. This incumbent heterogeneity depends primarily on their idiosyncratic strategic and structural context. These findings reveal that the incumbent MNOs in Germany were aware of the disruptive technology concept but did not react in a theory-conform way. However, since W-LAN had a sustaining impact on the MNOs and their response strategies followed sustaining reaction patterns, earlier studies, which show a limited disruptive potential of W-LAN for the German MNOs, are supported.

Strategic Differentiation of Internationalization in the Mobile Telecommunications Industry: Case Studies

We present a unified explanation of the internationalization strategies of major mobile network operators (MNOs). We have developed a framework that analyzes the strategies of major international MNOs in terms of the relationship between their degree of involvement in international business operations and the degree of equity participation. The results show a positive association between these two dimensions as expected, but they also reveal some exceptional cases in which certain MNOs are actively involved in the business operations of other foreign MNOs, even with minor (or zero) equity investments. In this paper, we argue that the strategic actions of the major MNOs which are the largest shareholders of foreign MNOs are in an equilibrium status because these major MNOs derive maximum benefit from full or considerable management control and active involvement. Finally, we predict that latecomers (MNOs who are just about to enter foreign telecommunications markets) may adopt an incremental investment approach because most developed markets and deregulated emerging markets with growth potential are already preempted by major MNOs. Therefore, the window of opportunity for internationalization in those markets is currently small.

Network monitoring and performance evaluation in a 3.5G network

Monitoring network performance and status is a fundamental task for network operators as it directly impacts the quality of the offered services and hence user satisfaction. For this purpose a consolidated approach, which is largely adopted by network operators, is based on the so-called KPIs (key performance indicators). In this paper, we propose and discuss a set of KPIs to monitor network performance of the new HSDPA enhanced UMTS infrastructure. KPI statistics are collected and analysed from the novel HSDPA network of H3G, one of the major Italian mobile network operators.

The degree of internationalization and the financial performance of European mobile network operators

Specific internationalization steps of single mobile network operators (MNO) such as the hostile takeover of the German Mannesmann corporation by the British Vodafone group have received substantial public attention. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of scholarly research using quantitative indicators to capture facets of the degree of business internationalization and associations between this internationalization extent and financial performance measures in a sample of major MNO originating from Europe. Therefore, this study gathered internationalization data from 14 European MNO for the 7-year period from 1997 to 2003. The firms had an overall proportionate mobile subscriber market share of 80.2% across 27 European countries at year-end 2003. Their average foreign revenue (subscriber) share rose from 11.4% (15.6%) in 1997 to 46.2% (52.2%) in 2003. The dispersion of degrees of internationalization in the sample was high and has remained fairly similar since 1999. No evidence of significantly positive associations between foreign revenues and subscriber shares on the one hand and three accounting-based criteria of MNO group financial performance on the other hand was found. This result is taken to imply that: (1) executives of MNO with high degrees of internationalization had not yet been successful in transforming potential into actual internationalization advantages; (2) more detailed studies on foreign market selection, entry modes, and management procedures balancing integration and autonomy requirements in running foreign MNO affiliates may uncover circumstances under which internationalization degree-performance associations for MNO are significant; and (3) national regulators should not feel obliged to implement special remedies to enhance the survival probabilities of less internationalized MNO.