Network Performance Score: Initiate improvements with a QoE-centric score

January 17, 2019 | by Arnd Sibila

The Network Performance Score (NPS) is a QoE-centric score based on the harmonizing and integrative scoring methodology for end-to-end QoS benchmarking and scoring published by ETSI. The NPS integrates the main KPIs of the most popular services into a single score that describes network performance from a true end-user perspective.

Read more

NB-IoT: How to find NB-IoT carriers in the spectrum (part 6)

November 21, 2018 | by Gregor Tomic

NB-IoT carriers are very difficult, if not impossible, to find. The Automatic Channel Detection (ACD) feature in R&S®ROMES4 does the job automatically. But, what makes finding and identifying NB-IoT carriers so difficult in the first place? And, what implementation modes are there, and how do they differ from one another?

Read more

Machine learning in mobile network testing (part 1)

November 7, 2018 | by Miguel Román

Telecom leaders believe that machine learning (ML) will be key to deriving and inferring user behavior and expectations. This blog series demonstrates our ML applications on drive test data by discussing specific use cases and customer benefits. To start, we will discuss artificial intelligence in general.

Read more

Interference hunting in cities: Choose angle of arrival over power

October 24, 2018 | by Jeremy Carpenter

The urban RF environment is very demanding – densely packed with a myriad of cellular and non-cellular transmitters, interfering emitters, and inconveniently located building. This post explains why it pays to focus on the angle of arrival (AOA) method regarding speed, accuracy, and effectiveness when hunting interference in urban areas.

Read more

5G NR network rollout is now – let’s test! (part 4)

September 12, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

The first 5G standard, specified in the 3GPP Release 15, contains a high degree of flexibility in radio parameters that complicates network measurements. We conducted measurements in pre-commercial 5G trial networks with our commercially available 5G NR network measurement solution and gained early insights into performance, capabilities, and frequency band.

Read more

5G: First independent 5G test network benchmark study (part 3)

August 29, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

US-based Signals Research Group (SRG) trusts the prototype measurement system designed by Rohde & Schwarz to meet the aggressive timeline of early 5G adopters. Learn about SRG’s findings in the first independent 5G test network benchmark study using the R&S®TSMA autonomous drive test scanner to collect valuable downlink performance metrics.

NB-IoT network insights through MIB/SIB demodulation (part 5)

August 10, 2018 | by Andreas Spachtholz

Our scanner-based solution to measure coverage in NB-IoT networks pioneered NB-IoT field measurements in 2017. Since then, thousands of kilometers have been driven and walked to collect and analyze data from all available operators and cells in an NB-IoT network. This post summarizes our customers’ key requirements and our answers.

Read more

How 4×4 MIMO can boost your mobile network

July 4, 2018 | by Michael Lorenz

Network densification and the introduction of new frequencies are cost-intensive and time-consuming. Could the implementation of higher-order MIMO features into existing radio networks meet the inexorable demand for more data volume? And how does 4x4 MIMO boost data rates and deliver additional capacity gain, thereby improving legacy LTE networks?

Read more

5G: Initial 5GTF coverage measurements (part 2)

June 12, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

The US operator Verizon Wireless trusts our 5GTF prototype measurement backpack solution to test signal quality and to measure the coverage of fixed wireless access (FWA) in the 28 GHz frequency band. Before 3GPP, Verizon Wireless and partners created a pre-5G specification called 5G Technical Forum (5GTF).

5G: The role of mobile network testing on the path to 5G (part 1)

May 22, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

Long before commercial services are available, everyone is talking about 5G, creating a buzz and setting high expectations in the new standard. What’s the role of mobile network testing on the path to 5G? How can scanner measurements help operators pave the way to the next generation of mobile networks?

Combined engineering and benchmarking measurements add value

April 5, 2018 | by Andreas Sprachtholz

Different mobile network measurement tools target different measurement scenarios. One might target quality of experience (QoE) and quality of service (QoS), another RF conditions. By combining detailed scanner data and user equipment measurements and tests, users can easily exchange measurement data between the benchmarking, optimization, and engineering worlds.

Read more

Measuring QoE of mobile data apps for network optimization (part 3)

March 19, 2018 | by Johanna Sochos

In previous posts, we explained how you can assess the QoE of data applications on smartphones by measuring the success rate and duration of a series of actions. Now, learn how mobile app testing supports operators in their endeavors to optimize networks for mobile data applications and other third-party content.

Read more

Benchmarking & optimization

More information

Field services & interference hunting

More information

Innovations in mobile network testing

More information

Testing from RF to QoE

More information

New e-book provides unparalleled insight into the 5G NR world

What's the status of 5G NR? What are the test and measurement requirements, and how do we approach them? Download our new e-book now and get unparalleled insight into the world of 5G NR.

More information

The world's first 5G NR network measurement solution

Rohde & Schwarz is pioneering 5G New Radio (5G NR) network measurements with the world's first commercially available 5G NR network measurement solution. This solution enables users in the 5G network ecosystem as well as regulators to measure the 5G NR network coverage accurately - one of the biggest challenges in the network planning.

More information

Pioneers in NB-IoT field measurements

We are paving the way to NB-IoT by provding the world's first accurate LTE/NB-IoT coverage measurement solution: via a software upgrade, the R&S ROMES drive test software now also supports NB-IoT coverage measurements with R&S TSMx scanners.

More information