An Improved Model for Key Performance Indicators Analysis for Mobile Number Portability Scheme for GSM Subscribers in Nigeria

ABSTRACT 

In Nigeria today it been observed that when changing from one GSM network operators to the other, customers has to give up their old numbers and adopt a new one. As a result, they face switching costs associated with informing people about changing their number, printing new business cards, missing valuable calls from people that do not have the new number, etc. In this research the Key Performance Indicatiors (KPI) of network providers and the causes of poor quality service quality by GSM network operators in Nigeria were examined. The review findings leads to a novel method of subscriber authentication in mobile cellular networks and its implementation framework in future mobile phones and devices. Mobile Number portability (MNP) Java VSIM Suite was suggested to all mobile network operators and the migration of subscriber to adopt. Mobile Number Portability is a circuit-switch telecommunications network feature that enables end users to retain their telephone numbers when changing service providers, service types, and/or locations. A Fuzzy logic block set of MATLAB/Simulink and Java programming language with Netbeans 7.0 and XAMP Control panel were used in realizing Mobile Number portability (MNP) of different mobile operators. A set of benchmarks which are considered as crucial for deployment while taking cognizance of user’s requirements of mobile devices shows that in the KPI investigations for MTN, GLO, ETISALAT and AIRTEL Mobile operators are still yet to deliver a uniform and efficient QoS. Furthermore, the approach demonstrates the replaceability of the existing SIM card GSM architecture with an adequate trusted software module proposed to develop an improved model for MNP scheme for GSM subscribers in Nigeria using KPIs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Approval page ……………………………………………………………………………..i

Certification ………………………………………………………………………………. ii

Declaration ………………………………………………………………………………... iii

Dedication ……………………………………………………………………………… iv

Acknowledgment ………………………………………………………………………. v

Table of contents ……………………………………………………………………….. vii

List of figures …………………………………………………………………………… x

List table ……………………………………………………………………………….. xvi

CHAPTER ONE

1.0. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………… 1

1.1. Background of Study……………………………………………………………….. 1

1.2. Problem Statement………………………………………………………….............. 2

1.3. Aims and Objective of the Research………………………………………………… 3

1.4 Justification of the Work………………………………………………………….. 3

1.5 Scope of the Work……………………………………………………………….. 4

1.6 Dissertation report organization………………………………………………….... 5

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………………………………………… 6

2.1. Introduction to GSM Telephony ……………………….………………………… 6

2.1.1 GSM Carrier Frequency………………………………………………………….... 6

2.2 GSM Network Technologies and Their Evolutions………………………………….. 7

2.2.1 Fourth Generation- 4G Evolution ….......................................................................... 7

2.2.1.1 IMT-2000 Compliant 4G Standards………………………………………….. 8

2.2.1.2 Key Features in 4G Candidate System…………………………………………… 10

2.2.2. Fifth Generation- 5G Evolution and Next Generation Evolutions………………… 11

2.3. Adoption Index/Market Readiness………………………………………………….... 11

2.4. An Overview of GSM Cellular Architecture…………………………………………. 12

2.4.1 The Radio-Subsystem (RSS)………………………………………………………... 11

2.4.2. Network- and Switching Subsystem (NSSS)………………………………………. 14

2.4.3. Operation and Maintenance Subsystem (OMSS)………………………………….. 15

2.5. Mobility Management……………………………………………………………….. 16

2.6. QoS in GSM Networks ……………………………………………………………... 17

2.6.1. Quality of Service and Key Performance Indices (KPI) for GSM Networks ……. 18

2.6.1.1 Qos Evaluation Criteria …………………………………………………………… 25

2.7. Challenges Facing QoS Service Provisioning In Nigeria…………………………..... 26

2.8. SMART Cards ………………………………………………………………………. 28

2.8.1 Features of Smart Card Hardware………………………………………………….. 30

2.9. Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) for Mobile Equipment………………………….. 30

2.9.1. What is a SIM Card? ………………………………………………………………. 30

2.9.2. GSM SIM Network parameters …………………………………………………… 31

2.9.2.1 Functionality of the SIM Card……………………………………………………….33

2.9.2.2 SIM Security……………………………………………………………………….. 35

2.9.3. Authentication of a Cellular Phone with the GSM Network ……………………… 36

2.9.3.1 SIM Interest Groups……………………………………………………………….. 37

2.10 Trusted Computing Group…………………………………………………………… 38

2.11. Benchmarks and Evaluation Criteria……………………………………………….. 38

2.12. Mobile Number Portability …………………………………………………………. 39

2.12.1. The review of academic literature on MNP……………………………………… 40

2.12.2. Research on the effects of MNP in various countries and regions……………… 40

2.12.3. Conceptual framework on MNP………………………………………………… 45

2.12.4. Mobile Number Portability - How to PORT From Network A to Network B…… 46

2.12.5 Limitations of MNP ……………………………………………………………… 48

2.13. Fuzzy Logic and ANFIS…………………………………………………………… 49

2.14. Summary of Review works………………………………………………………….. 53

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY AND SYSTEM ANALYSIS…………………………………………. 54

3.1. Methodology………………………………………………………………………… 54

3.1.1 Quality Voice Machine (QVM)…………..………………………………………… 54

3.1.2. ASCOM Mobile Test Strategy and AMTS QoS Supervision Technique................... 54

3.1.3. Quality of the received signal (rxqual)….................................................................... 56

3.1.4a. Test Bed Description and Field Measurements…………………………….. 58

3.1.4b. Conceptual Test bed Topology …………………………………………………….59

3.1.5. Measurement Environment……………………………………………………. 60

3.1.6. Macromobility Data Collection…………………………………… ………………64

3.1.6.1 Data Collection Method …………………………………………………………. 64

3.1.6.2 Analysis Process Framework ……………………………………………………. 64

3.1.6.3 Post Processing Data Analysis ………………………………………………….. 65

3.1.6.4 Data Analysis and Result ………………………………………………………… 65

CHAPTER 4……………………………………………………………………………… 74

4.0 MNP MODELING USING FUZZY NETWORK…………………………………….. 74

4.1. Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System for Network Integration………………………. 74

4.2. System Implementation …………………………………………………………… 87

4.2.1. Object Oriented Analysis and Design Methodology…………………………….. 87

CHAPTER 5

5.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION………………………………………………… 98

5.1 Results ………………………………………………………………………… 98

5.2 Discussion …………………………………………………………………….. 122

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………….. 123

REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………………… 126

Appendix I Paper Publications ……………………………………………………….. 134

Appendix II Fuzzy Logic M-File……………………………………………………… 135

Appendix III Java Codings for MNSIMsuite…………………………………………. 136

Appendix IV MATLAB Environment Snapshots……………………………………… 153

Appendix V List of Abbreviations …………………………………………………….. 154