Coverage Survey Winter 2012

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Comparing operators
SURVEY OF THE COVERAGE AND DATA RATES PROVIDED BY 3G MOBILE NETWORKS AVAILABLE IN FINLAND

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 3 GENERAL ............................................................................................................. 4 OBJECTIVE .......................................................................................................... 4 LOCALITIES ......................................................................................................... 5 COMPARISON PRINCIPLE .................................................................................. 8 RESULTS .............................................................................................................. 8 COVERAGE .......................................................................................................... 8 DATA RATE ........................................................................................................ 10 CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................................. 13

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

Summary
This survey compared the coverage and data rates of three 3G operators providing services in Finland: Elisa, DNA and Sonera. The survey was carried out as a field study between 1 November 2011 and 16 January 2012. The survey involved in situ measurements in 100 localities. These localities account for about 75% of the country’s population. Elisa’s 3G coverage is still the broadest, even though the other operators have improved and Sonera seems to have reached more or less the same level at lower signal strengths. At the highest signal levels, DNA seems to hold second place before Sonera. The quality of data services was also compared by downloading files from the network to terminals and measuring the average data rates in different networks. The analysis shows that Elisa’s and Sonera’s data rates are at a similar level. In this data rate comparison, DNA comes third. The survey included Finland's 50 most populous municipalities. Other localities were selected from among localities ranked between 51 and 100 in size (25 localities) and those ranked 101 or below (25 localities). During the field study, the reception in each locality was examined by carrying out measurements in town centres and in residential and industrial areas. Of the 15,081 road kilometres covered during the survey, 9,261 km were measuring routes. The measurements were analysed using the eEPOS® software developed by ECE Oy.

The coverage survey was commissioned by Elisa and carried out by European Communications Engineering (ECE Ltd), an independent Finnish expert service company in the field of radio network design, training and development. For more information, please contact: European Communications Engineering: www.eceltd.com / Risto Jurva, +358 46 712 1130 Elisa: www.elisa.fi / Eetu Prieur, +358 10 26000

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

General
This report presents the results of the recent measurement survey in which the 3G network coverage and data rates of three Finnish operators were examined. The project involved in situ measurements in 100 localities across Finland. The project was conducted between 1 November 2011 and 16 January 2012. Earlier comparative surveys were conducted in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 during the spring and/or autumn.

Objective
The aim of the field study was to determine the regional coverage of 3G networks operational in Finland. Regional coverage is determined on the basis of measurements using transport routes, which does not necessarily give an accurate picture of the coverage area or of indoor reception. However, as a substantial number of localities and routes were included, the results can be expected to give a reliable overall picture of the coverage of the 3G networks. The principles used in the reception analysis are described below in connection with the presentation of the results. The aim was also to determine the maximum data rates currently provided by the operators’ 3G networks. This was examined by measuring the amount of data transferred per unit of time. This measurement was also carried out in 100 localities, which means that it gives a reliable overall picture of the networks’ current data rates. The coverage measurements were carried out by setting the measuring device units to idle mode. They were turned on but were not used for producing voice or data connections during the measurements. The data rate measurements were carried out by continuously downloading a data file of 1 GB from the network to the measuring unit (in the downlink direction). The fastest data connections and data modems offered by each operator to consumers at the initiation of the survey were chosen for the measurements so that data transfers could be carried out using the speed available in each network. This method was used in order to simulate the situation in which consumers use the services.

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

Localities
The measurements were carried out in a total of 100 localities. The following areas were covered in each locality: • Central area: main streets • Areas surrounding the central area and other important areas • Main routes leading to the locality The team carrying out the measurements was not familiar with the structures of the different operators’ networks and the measuring routes were chosen at random so that they covered large tracts of the areas in question. The field study covered a total of 15,081 kilometres, of which 11,832 km were measuring routes. ECE selected the localities for the survey in the following manner: 50 most populous localities 25 localities selected at random among those ranked 51-100 in size 25 localities selected at random among those ranked 101 or below the selection takes into account the balance of the geographical location The below listed localities selected for the survey account for about 75% of Finland’s population.

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

Finland’s 50 largest municipalities, in alphabetical order: Espoo Hamina Helsinki Hollola Hyvinkää Hämeenlinna Iisalmi Imatra Joensuu Jyväskylä Jämsä Järvenpää Kaarina Kajaani Kangasala Kemi Kerava Kirkkonummi Kokkola Kotka Kouvola Kuopio Lahti Lappeenranta Lohja Mikkeli Nokia Nurmijärvi Oulu Pori Porvoo Raahe Raasepori Raisio Rauma Riihimäki Rovaniemi Salo Sastamala Savonlinna Seinäjoki Tampere Tornio Turku Tuusula Vaasa Vantaa Varkaus Vihti Ylöjärvi

The 25 localities selected from among those ranked 51-100 in size, in alphabetical order: Forssa Heinola Janakkala Kalajoki Kankaanpää Kauhajoki Kempele Keuruu Kiiminki Kurikka Lapua Lempäälä Liperi Loimaa Loviisa Mäntsälä Naantali Nivala Orimattila Pieksämäki Pietarsaari Siilinjärvi Sotkamo Uusikaupunki Äänekoski

The 25 localities selected from among those ranked 101 and below, in alphabetical order: Hirvensalmi Hyrynsalmi Iitti Keminmaa Kinnula Kolari Kuhmoinen Laitila Lapinlahti Lumijoki Luumäki Merijärvi Nummi-Pusula Oripää Parikkala Pelkosenniemi Petäjävesi Posio Reisjärvi Simo Somero Tuusniemi Vehmaa Vimpeli Ylitornio

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

The map below shows the location of the localities (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The localities included in the survey.

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

Comparison principle
The results were compared on a locality basis so that each measured area was divided into a grid (120 by 120 metres) using GPS coordinates. Each measured sample was then placed on the grid using the coordinates. Thus it can be determined that the operator which on the basis of the samples had the highest number of squares in a particular locality provides the broadest coverage. For the comparison of data rates, the analysis took into account all the samples along the entire measuring route, including samples where the data transfer rate was zero. The comparison was based on data rate categories and the measured distance.

Results
Coverage The extent of the coverage was examined by calculating the number of geographical locations (squares) in which the operators’ 3G signal (pilot signal or RSCP) was above a predetermined threshold value. As the number of squares for each operator was determined on the basis of the threshold value used, the analysis was carried out using several different threshold values. In Figure 2 below, pilot signal values between -100 dBm and -60 dBm are used as threshold values. The number of squares in which the operator's signal was higher than the threshold value is shown as a curve. The size of one square is 120 m x 120 m. The results sum up the measurements carried out in 100 localities.

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

100000 90000 80000

Number of squares

70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0

-100

-95

-85

-80

-70

-65

Signal strength/ RSCP [dBm] DNA ELISA SONERA

Figure 2. Number of squares at different signal strength values. Figure 2 above takes into account all the measured squares in which at least one operator provided coverage.

Elisa’s 3G coverage is still the broadest at all signal levels, even though the other operators have caught up with it somewhat and Sonera’s result seems to cumulate more or less at the same level. At the highest signal levels, between -70 and -60 dBm, DNA, on the other hand, seems to have more samples than Sonera. Assuming that indoor 3G voice services can be provided at a pilot signal level of -95 dBm and indoor data services (for example, 1 Mbps) at a pilot signal level of -75 dBm, the coverage of these services can be described as shown below (Figure 3).

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

-60

-90

-75

SURVEY

14.05.12

100 % 90 % 80 % 70 % 60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0% 3G VOICE DNA ELISA 3G HIGH SPEED DATA SONERA

Figure 3. The relative number of squares covered – 3G voice and high-speed 3G data (the number of squares of the operator with the highest value equals 100 per cent). The number of squares for each operator has been adjusted so that for the operator with the highest value the total equals 100 per cent. Based on the survey Elisa has achieved the highest result for 3G voice service at the assumed signal level. This is followed by Sonera at more or less equal levels. DNA’s result comes third. The order is the same for 3G data services at the assumed signal level. Elisa has a clear lead ahead of Sonera in second place and DNA in third place. Compared with the results of the previous survey, DNA’s and Sonera’s results have improved in relation to Elisa.

Data rate In the analysis stage of the field survey results, also the average data rate of each of the operators' networks was established. The figure below (Figure 4) shows the similar levels of Elisa’s and Sonera’s results. DNA’s result was somewhat lower.

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

5 4,5 4 3,5 3 2,5 Mbps 2 1,5 1 0,5 0 Average data rate DNA ELISA SONERA Figure 4. Operators' average data rates

Compared with the previous survey, all operators have improved their results and Sonera seems to have reached the other two, having previously lagged behind. The analysis seems to demonstrate that DNA’s lower result may be due to 3G network functionalities which may not be optimal with the data modem used in the survey. Figure 5 shows the cumulative geographical extent of the data rate categories when at least one operator has coverage. The analysis determines the total number of accumulated kilometres of each data rate category in the measurements. The figure shows that, generally speaking, the operators are quite well matched. In the higher data rates, Elisa’s and Sonera’s results are slightly ahead of DNA’s result.

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

SURVEY

14.05.12

10000 9000 8000

Cumulative distance /km

7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10,5

10

11

0,5

1,5

2,5

3,5

4,5

5,5

6,5

7,5

8,5

9,5

11,5

12

Data rate / Mbps ELISA DNA SONERA

Figure 5. Cumulative data rates in different operators’ networks.

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

>12

SURVEY

14.05.12

Conclusions
The field survey on 3G network coverage, involving 100 localities and carried out between November 2011 and January 2012, shows some differences between the operators. Earlier surveys were conducted in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 during the spring and/or autumn. It is clear that the operators are keenly developing their networks. In this survey, Elisa and Sonera reached similar results in the extent of coverage. DNA has also improved its result in this comparative survey. The examination of data rate measurement results shows that the same data rate was reached in Elisa’s and Sonera’s networks. In this survey DNA comes third. The average data rates of all operators have clearly increased from the previous field study.

Tekniikantie 12 FI-02150 Espoo, Finland

Tel. +358 9 2517 3300 Fax +358 9 2517 3301

[email protected] www.eceltd.com

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