Evaluation and Analysis of 3G Network in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

This paper presents an evaluation and analysis of 3G network in metropolitan area in Lagos, Nigeria. It was carried out with the collection of data through drive testing of which five parameters were analysed which are Rscp (Received signal code power), Ec/No, SQI (Speech quality index), Tx power (Transmitting power) and path loss. In this paper, ten (10) different site locations were covered and analysed. It was deduced that the RSCP range of -60 to 0 (db) covers just 25% while the Ec/No range of -8 to 0 covers 23% of the total coverage area both of which fall below the 75% being stipulated by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) of the total coverage area. The transmitting power is even worse with analysis showing the transmitting power of most of the base stations in the area with a very low value and likewise the Speech quality index. Two common path loss models COST 231 HATA and OKUMURA-HATA were used. More so, the COST 231 HATA model yielded the value for the path loss ranges from 84.50≤152.33 and that of Okumura ranges from 79.0000 ≤ 150.00 with distance from 200km to 1400km having an interval of 200km to another. However, of the two models, COST 231 HATA appears to be the most suitable for this area due to its better accuracy when both were compared with the measured values from the field. The Root Mean Square Error differences (RMSE) differences of the path loss models were calculated and compared with all the sites. Site Identification Number (ID) Ulag5130-Ulag3131 was considered to have the least error rate of 4.7018 and 7.9396 respectively. The analysis of the work obtained from this area can be used as a platform and benchmark to aid in the system optimization process for improved performance for service providers in other metropolitan areas in Nigeria.