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Case Study

Revolutionizing Airport Connectivity: How Boingo Leverages Ookla's Comprehensive Network Intelligence

“We’re a converged network provider, and we believe you need a combination of Wi-Fi, private networks, and 5G to serve all the different connectivity needs inside a venue. Each technology has its purpose. But here’s the thing: data is key. Without solid data, you can’t make informed decisions or come up with informed solutions to problems. It’s that simple. Data drives our ability to understand and solve connectivity challenges effectively.”

Derek Peterson
Chief Technology Officer at Boingo

Challenge

Delivering seamless, high-performance connectivity in high-density airport environments where both passengers and critical operations require reliable networks.

Requirements

Converged network solutions that combine airport distributed antenna systems (DAS), Wi-Fi, and private 5G networks to serve diverse connectivity needs across 130+ airports and transportation hubs worldwide.

Solution

Implementation of Ookla’s comprehensive tools, including Cell Analytics for cellular planning and Ekahau for Wi-Fi design and optimization, enabling data-driven network decisions and enhanced performance.

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Airport network connectivity has evolved from a luxury service to critical infrastructure, powering essential operations throughout airport terminals across the world. Boingo Wireless, a global leader in airport distributed antenna systems (DAS), Wi-Fi, and private 5G networks, understands this better than anyone. With a customer portfolio spanning over 130 airports and transportation hubs worldwide, Boingo is transforming the travel experience for both passengers and operations through cutting-edge wireless technologies.

As airports have evolved into smart, hyper-connected hubs, the demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity has skyrocketed. Passengers expect to stream, work, and stay connected during their entire time at an airport, from check-in to takeoff. Additionally, airport operations teams rely on wireless networks to power critical security infrastructure, check-in kiosks, and logistics systems. 

Derek Peterson, chief technology officer at Boingo, explains: “Seamless, high-performance connectivity is now critical infrastructure. By leveraging cutting-edge wireless technologies and comprehensive insights, we empower airports to deliver exceptional passenger experiences and enhanced operational performance.”

wireless connectivity in airports

Ookla provides comprehensive connectivity insights that help organizations optimize networks and enhance digital experiences. Our multi-source datasets and advanced analytics offer unique, actionable insights for improving network performance and user satisfaction. Boingo harnesses Ookla’s powerful tools for their network deployments, specifically Cell Analytics®  for cellular planning and Ekahau® for Wi-Fi design and optimization. These products work together to enable Boingo to make data-driven decisions, efficiently allocate resources, and deliver fast, reliable wireless solutions in complex, high-density airport environments.

Mike Finley, CEO of Boingo Wireless, explains: “Ookla has been a great partner. We are using Cell Analytics for usage patterns around cellular networks, and we’re also using Ekahau which helps us design, manage and optimize our Wi-Fi networks.”

Unlocking New Possibilities with 6 GHz Wi-Fi

The introduction of 6 GHz Wi-Fi gives high-density network environments like airports additional channels to support network capacity and efficiency, and Boingo is leading the charge in harnessing the potential of the latest Wi-Fi technology. 

Boingo is able to design, deploy, and optimize 6 GHz networks in complex airport settings through Ekahau’s Wi-Fi measurement and RF modeling capabilities. According to Peterson, “Ekahau tools support the design and management of Boingo networks, helping us ensure optimal performance and reliability.” 

Ekahau’s tools allow Boingo to develop strategic channel plans that avoid interference and maximize throughput, while providing heatmap visualizations of key performance indicators like signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, and channel interference.

Wi-Fi survey at Phoenix Airport

By walking airports with the Ekahau Sidekick 2, a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi diagnostic and measurement device, Boingo engineers can accurately measure wireless networks in challenging, high-density airport environments. The Sidekick 2 provides Boingo engineers with accuracy and reliability in network validation and troubleshooting, with its advanced features including enterprise-grade tri-band Wi-Fi radios, custom-built 3D antennas, and a built-in  spectrum analyzer. This powerful tool allows Boingo to proactively identify and address potential sources of interference, ensuring optimal performance and a seamless user experience for the millions of passengers who rely on Boingo’s airport wireless networks.

“The Sidekick 2 helps us measure signal strength, helps us identify interference, and helps us validate the network design. When you have all of those working together, you know you’re going to have a great connected experience,” says Boingo CEO Mike Finley. 

In recent Wi-Fi deployments, Boingo has observed improvements in network performance, with increased throughput and reduced congestion in high-traffic areas. This translates to smoother experiences for passengers and more reliable connectivity for critical airport systems. With high-performing 6 GHz-capable networks, Boingo is future-proofing airports for next-generation applications.

5G Takes Off in Airports

Increasingly, delivering an optimal user experience is not about choosing between Wi-Fi or 5G, but rather ensuring that both technologies are available and can complement each other to deliver a seamless experience for users. Boingo recognizes this need and is at the forefront of providing a unified, high-performance, converged network solution for airports. 

To help ensure optimal 5G network performance and user experiences, Boingo utilizes Ookla’s Cell Analytics, a powerful platform that provides comprehensive insights into wireless service quality, RF measurements, data usage, user density, and cell site locations.

Cell Analytics leverages crowdsourced data on network performance, coverage, and signal measurements from Speedtest®. The platform offers comprehensive network performance visualization, covering both outdoor areas and indoor spaces. It captures performance variations across multiple levels in complex structures such as airports, from ground floors to upper levels. This information empowers Boingo to make data-driven decisions for their 5G network deployments.

As Derek Peterson explains, “Ookla’s Cell Analytics data supports our 5G deployments. By identifying areas with poor coverage, we can ensure gaps are filled so that our networks deliver strong, reliable and seamless coverage, and can support even the most demanding use cases.”

The platform enables Boingo to rapidly assess networks inside individual terminals, allowing for targeted engineering efforts. This granular insight helps evaluate existing network performance, quality, and availability. Cell Analytics also offers historical performance views, validating the impact of infrastructure investments.

With Cell Analytics, Boingo is transforming the airport experience for cellular connectivity, working toward providing seamless service for passengers and enabling advanced applications for network operation teams. Boingo’s 5G networks, informed by Ookla’s comprehensive network intelligence, are raising the bar for cellular networks in high-density airport environments.

Excelling in Ookla’s Airport Performance Analysis

Boingo’s work with Ookla has been instrumental in transforming airport connectivity, enabling them to design, deploy, and optimize world-class wireless networks that are among the top performing wireless networks in the U.S. and globally, according to Ookla’s airport Wi-Fi- performance metrics. By leveraging Ookla’s comprehensive network intelligence, including Ekahau’s Wi-Fi tools and Cell Analytics, Boingo has been able to unlock the full potential of cutting-edge technologies like 6 GHz Wi-Fi and 5G, delivering exceptional experiences for passengers and enhanced operational efficiency for airports.

The results speak for themselves. Airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) have all benefited from Boingo’s expertise, achieving outstanding connectivity performance that sets them apart. At PHX, for example, mobile speeds have reached an impressive median download speed of 295.94 Mbps, while Wi-Fi download speeds clocked in at 151.28 Mbps.

Conclusion

With Ookla’s industry-leading network intelligence tools providing valuable insights, Boingo is well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future head-on. 

As the world of air travel continues to evolve, Boingo, aided by Ookla’s comprehensive network intelligence, contributes to the innovations that enhance airport connectivity worldwide.

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About Boingo Wireless

Boingo Wireless, Inc. simplifies complex wireless challenges to connect people, business and things. Boingo designs, builds and manages converged, neutral host public and private networks at major venues around the world. Boingo’s vast footprint of distributed antenna systems (DAS), Wi-Fi, small cells and macro towers securely powers innovation and connectivity in airports, transit stations, stadiums, military bases, hospitals, commercial properties and enterprises worldwide. Learn more at boingo.com.

Ookla retains ownership of this content, including all of the intellectual property rights, data, images, graphs, and analysis. This content may not be quoted, reproduced, distributed, or published for any commercial purpose without prior consent.

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Case Study

How Batelco Makes Strategic Network Improvements in Bahrain with Ookla Data

“At Batelco, we are revolutionizing the way traditional telcos operate by placing customer service at the heart of our operations. By leveraging crowdsourced data, we enhance our understanding and responsiveness to customer needs. Ookla’s data and solutions have empowered us to make informed decisions, transforming our network capabilities to improve coverage and optimize performance. This ensures our customers always enjoy the best connectivity experience.” 

Mr. Rashid Mohamed
Chief Technology Officer, Batelco

Benefits

  • Enhanced both indoor and outdoor network coverage across the Kingdom to address growing demands
  • Identified areas where spectrum bands could be repurposed from 3G to 4G to increase network capacity
  • Improved customer network quality of experience metrics with enhanced content delivery methods

For tier-one operators like Batelco, part of Beyon group, continuous innovation is required to meet the rising user demands and deliver exceptional service quality across the Kingdom as well as positioning itself among the best networks globally. To achieve its goal, Batelco not only relies on its expertise and traditional methods it also leverages on data from Ookla Cell Analytics™ and Consumer QoE™ to identify areas for strategic network optimization and enhance the end-user network experience.

Situation

For telecommunications operators, prioritizing the right investments can be challenging, especially when the ultimate aim is to continue delivering the best customer experience and driving service improvements for users. 

Batelco tackled this challenge using Ookla data as the foundation for informed decision-making. This data enabled Batelco to implement innovative solutions including coverage enhancements, enhanced content delivery methods, and the refarming of existing 3G spectrum to improve the consumer network experience.

Solution

Batelco’s approach to network enhancement showcases how data-driven decision-making can transform network performance and customer experiences. By utilizing Ookla’s solutions, several strategic initiatives were developed and implemented to enhance Batelco’s network infrastructure. These upgrades ensured efficient use of resources while delivering meaningful improvements to customers. Let’s take a closer look at some of these initiatives:

Coverage Enhancements for Optimized Coverage

Batelco continues to expand and improve its network coverage across the Kingdom to address growing demands and a constantly evolving connectivity landscape that needs innovative coverage solutions. 

As part of these coverage enhancements, Batelco has extended its coverage in 30+ residential and landmark areas including Diyar Al Muharraq, Dilmunia, and Juffair. Batelco has expanded its mobile coverage in industrial, commercial, and educational areas. 

In Riffa and Hamad Town, Bahrain’s second and third largest cities, targeted efforts throughout 2023 and 2024 led to a significant +90% improvement in coverage and quality in key areas, helping Batelco deliver enhanced connectivity experiences across the Kingdom.

Similarly At Marassi Galleria Mall, targeted efforts during 2023 and 2024 led to +90% coverage improvements as shown below.

Using Cell Analytics indoor coverage 3D maps, Batelco identified areas and buildings with low coverage and developed solutions to improve the customer experience in those areas while maintaining efficient expenditure. This approach led to improvements in 10+ buildings across Bahrain including the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), and Swiss Bell Hotel as shown below. 

Strategic 3G Spectrum Refarming

To meet growing demands for advanced technologies such as 4G and 5G, Batelco also utilized Cell Analytics to identify areas where spectrum bands could be repurposed from 3G to 4G (LTE 900) to increase network capacity and the availability of 4G service. As a result of this spectrum refarming, Batelco delivered a 17% increase in 4G download speed from Q3 2023 to Q3 2024 in Capital Governorate, Bahrain as an example, demonstrated on the chart below.

Enhanced Content Delivery Methods and User Experience 

Improving network KPIs like download speed and signal strength are of course critical, but Batelco also leveraged Ookla’s Consumer QoE dataset to ensure these improvements translated into a better experience for the daily activities that matter most to users.

Using Consumer QoE, Batelco evaluated multiple key metrics to better understand the end-user experience, including latency, web page load times, gaming, social media, video rebuffering, and video resolution. Based on this data, Batelco implemented strategic improvements to enhance its content delivery by designing data paths to reduce hops and optimize network efficiency, address high-latency routes to improve performance, and expand content caching and improve routes for top-tier content providers.

Making customer voices heard through crowdsourced data

Additionally, Batelco gathers customer feedback through surveys, questionnaires, social media, and customer comments to ensure customer voices are being heard. For those who don’t report network issues directly, crowdsourced data provides a clear picture of real-world network performance. This approach allows Batelco to identify and address underlying issues, such as packet loss and retransmissions, that often go unnoticed by users. By using real-world metrics to assess network quality, availability, and performance, Batelco proactively enhances coverage in areas with lower connectivity or throughput—resolving potential challenges before they impact customers.

Outcome

Batelco’s strategic use of Ookla data has delivered impressive results, improving both traditional speed metrics and essential quality-of-experience indicators. 

While speed remains important, the telecommunications industry is increasingly focused on quality of experience metrics that directly impact user experiences – from gaming to web browsing to video streaming. Batelco’s comprehensive approach led to significant gains in both QoE and speed, positioning them among the top networks globally. Batelco consistently delivers faster median download speeds than the median download speed for All Providers Combined in Bahrain as shown below. 

This achievement has been a key factor in Bahrain’s consistent ranking among the top 15 countries for mobile speed throughout 2024, as reported by the Speedtest Global Index™. In the graph below, you can see where Bahrain lands on the index, as well as where Batelco’s median download speeds compare to the top-performing country speeds. 

Batelco has significantly enhanced internet browsing, video experience, and more — ensuring seamless connectivity and user satisfaction.

Batelco has improved overall download speeds, 4G download speeds, and 5G download speeds significantly over the past year.  

These efforts have been recognized by the TRA, as Batelco achieved “Excellence” in the recently concluded TRA Mobile Quality of Service (QoS) and Experience (QoE) benchmark. Batelco has consistently upheld its leadership in delivering 100% 5G network coverage for 4 consecutive years and reaching 5G network speeds surpassing 3.3 Gbps for the first time in the Kingdom’s mobile industry in the latest TRA benchmark, setting a new benchmark for exceptional performance.

Batelco is dedicated to continuously enhancing the customer experience across multiple touchpoints. This commitment involves improving network performance, investing in robust infrastructure, and adopting cutting-edge technologies. Batelco’s continuous improvement of their customer experience has cemented their position in this competitive market and has played a leading role in contributing to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position in the global landscape for network speed and quality of experience.

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About Batelco

Batelco is Bahrain’s leading provider of innovative digital services and connectivity. Batelco’s mission is to serve and inspire customers by building, operating and investing in digital services, forefront technology and connectivity.

Ookla retains ownership of this content, including all of the intellectual property rights, data, images, graphs, and analysis. This content may not be quoted, reproduced, distributed, or published for any commercial purpose without prior consent.

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Case Study

How Google Fiber has Elevated Connectivity using Speedtest® Data

“By leveraging Ookla’s data, we can understand the speeds our customers are actually experiencing in their own homes, with their unique setups and combination of end-user devices. This helps us deliver the high-speed internet we promise and continue to set the standard for network performance.”

Liz Hsu
Senior Director of Product, Google Fiber

Benefits

  • Provided a third-party view of real-world internet performance to ensure customer satisfaction and continuously improve networks
  • Accessed competitive insights about how speeds change for other service providers following entry into new markets
  • Validated marketing claims with Speedtest data to demonstrate superior real-world speeds to consumers in markets across the country

Fiber internet has transformed connectivity in the U.S. — enabling faster, more reliable internet access for users  in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Google Fiber is a U.S. internet provider that uses fiber optic technology to deliver superior speeds to its expanding list of markets.

GFiber is dedicated to delivering the best internet service nationwide, aiming to provide all of its fiber customers – regardless of location – with ultra-fast speeds of up to 8 Gbps over state-of-the-art infrastructure that ensures consistent, high-performance connectivity across all markets. This applies to established markets as well as new areas where GFiber is expanding. GFiber utilizes Speedtest data to validate actual speeds its customers experience given their individual real world environments, which helps with the delivery of exceptional services.

Situation

GFiber is rapidly expanding its fiber network into new markets, with a strong focus on ensuring they offer market-leading speeds from day one. Upon entering a new market, a critical goal for GFiber is to drive meaningful advancements in speed and service quality for users in the area.

GFiber needed a reliable way to confirm whether their efforts were delivering significantly faster download and upload speeds, better latency, and an enhanced quality of service—not just to exceed customer expectations, but to elevate the overall market standard.

Case Study: Impact of Entry on New Markets

In March 2023, GFiber entered the Mesa, AZ market, utilizing Speedtest data to help assess strengths, identify weaknesses, and prioritize areas for improvement. By leveraging this data, GFiber was able to measure real-world speeds, proactively resolve network issues, and optimize its service to ensure superior performance.

Speedtest data shows that the median download speeds for all providers combined in Mesa, AZ, showed noticeable and sustained increases following GFiber’s entry into the market. Download speeds increased by nearly 50% in only a year after GFiber launched in Mesa. This steep rise correlates directly with GFiber’s entry into the market, which not only provided faster speeds to its customers but also compelled competitors to raise their own standards in an effort to keep pace.

GFiber’s strategic use of Speedtest data allows them to maintain a competitive edge, continually enhance their network, and elevate overall market standards for performance wherever they expand.

Case Study: Elevating Speeds in Existing Markets

GFiber’s approach to maintaining top-tier speeds extends beyond new market entries like Mesa, AZ; it also includes ongoing performance monitoring in established markets. For example, GFiber has been serving Salt Lake City since 2016, and through ongoing monitoring and network optimizations informed by Speedtest data, they continue to deliver strong and improved performance for both established customers and new users who’ve made the switch. Speedtest data shows that GFiber users in Salt Lake City continue to experience reliable, high-quality internet service even after years of operation.

In 2024, users in Salt Lake City typically experience much faster speeds on GFiber compared to those from their previous ISP. This demonstrates GFiber’s ability to not only introduce competitive speeds in new markets but also maintain and enhance service quality in markets they have been serving for years. Speedtest data allows GFiber to consistently track and optimize its network performance, ensuring that all customers, whether in new or long-established markets, receive the best possible internet experience.

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About GFiber

GFiber delivers fast, reliable, fairly-priced and open fiber internet service, prioritizing customer service and speed. GFiber started in 2010 as a Google-driven experiment to catalyze the gigabit internet ecosystem, and has since pioneered the gigabit and multigig internet future. For more than a decade, GFiber has maintained its $70/1 Gig base internet plan without any rate increases, and remains committed to bringing the best internet experience to customers in nearly 20 states with plans to further expand. GFiber was awarded PC Mag Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Overall and Fiber ISP in 2024, Best Fiber Internet Provider by Forbes in 2024 and Best Fiber Provider for Gig Internet by CNET in 2024, in addition to top recognitions from J.D. Power, HighSpeedInternet.com and many more. You can find more information, check availability in your area and compare plans at www.fiber.google.com.

Ookla retains ownership of this content, including all of the intellectual property rights, data, images, graphs, and analysis. This content may not be quoted, reproduced, distributed, or published for any commercial purpose without prior consent.

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Case Study

How Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú used Ookla for Good™ to Enhance their Data Analytics Diploma Program

“Incorporating Ookla data into our Data Analytics program has been crucial for teaching our students how to access, manipulate, and analyze geographical data. As a telecommunications engineer and data scientist, I find it incredibly valuable to analyze and draw relevant conclusions about internet access and connectivity in Peru. This is precisely what I strive to instill and demonstrate to our students, providing them with an important real-world application of data analysis by highlighting where the digital divide exists in Peru.”

Cristhian Castro Chávez
Professor of Data Analytics at PUCP

Benefits

  • Provided university students with access to real-world connectivity data to apply data analysis skills
  • Supported workforce development by offering hands-on experience with data relevant to future careers in data science, telecommunications, and engineering
  • Increased awareness of the digital divide and the importance of network connectivity in societal development

Download the full PDF of this case study in Spanish. 

AI PUCP (Artificial Intelligence Group from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú) is dedicated to advancing education and practical skill development in data analysis. As part of their Data Analytics diploma program, the “Programming for Exploratory Data Analysis” course utilizes Ookla for Good’s open datasets to teach students about network performance. By integrating this data into their curriculum, PUCP provides students with invaluable hands-on experience in analyzing mobile network connectivity. This collaboration not only enhances students’ technical skills but also supports efforts to address connectivity challenges, such as the digital divide, in Peru.

Situation

The “Programming for Exploratory Data Analysis” course at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú is designed to equip students with the skills to analyze and interpret complex datasets. It starts by learning Python from scratch and then moves on to different types of data, including building Recommendation Systems, analyzing Text data, manipulating Network datasets, solving Optimization Problems and one week is specifically focused on Geographical Data. On that topic, Lecturer Cristhian Castro Chávez wanted to give his students relevant and insightful data they could explore, allowing them to apply the skills they had gained throughout the course.

Given the telecommunications and engineering backgrounds of many of the students, using real-world data is crucial for developing their future skills. Providing students with complex and applicable datasets is essential for their learning experience; however, sourcing and integrating such data into the course curriculum can be challenging. Educational institutions and professors often struggle to find datasets that are both insightful and representative of real-world situations.

Solution

By leveraging Ookla for Good’s open datasets, Cristhian designed an assignment for his students to continue their course exploration into geographical data. Students were instructed to analyze information at the tile level and perform aggregations to summarize the experience at a regional level, focusing not only on Lima, the capital of Peru, but also in other areas.

The assignment taught students how to access and analyze Ookla for Good’s data to investigate topics such as identifying regions with significantly poor mobile and fixed broadband performance, discovering which areas have no coverage, and choosing zones to prioritize for coverage deployment. Additionally, students explored external factors influencing connectivity, including terrain geography, investments by network providers, and government policies.

 

Outcome

Students gained hands-on experience with real-world data, enhancing their analytic skills and preparing them for future careers in data science, telecommunications, and engineering. The assignment was an example of how Ookla for Good provides valuable data resources for educational and social impact. By working with real data, students developed a deeper understanding of the digital divide and the importance of network connectivity in societal development.

This exposure helped them appreciate the challenges and opportunities in improving internet accessibility in underserved areas. The Data Analytics program at the university has decided to continue utilizing Ookla for Good datasets in upcoming courses in an effort to bridge the gap between industries and academia.

 

About Ookla for Good

Ookla for Good is focused on connecting our people, skills, and data with like-minded organizations, groups, and individuals to improve people’s lives through internet accessibility.

The work we do with our academic, humanitarian, and community-focused partners is more significant than just improving internet speeds; we aim to leave a lasting impact on the communities we support worldwide.

Interested in Ookla for Good? See how other organizations have leveraged the data and how to access the data here.

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About PUCP

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) is a leading academic institution in Peru, known for its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Rooted in ethical, democratic, and Catholic values, PUCP offers a well-rounded education that integrates humanistic, scientific, and civic principles. Through research, cultural promotion, and international collaboration, the university contributes to societal development while fostering multiculturalism and sustainability in Peru.

Ookla retains ownership of this content, including all of the intellectual property rights, data, images, graphs, and analysis. This content may not be quoted, reproduced, distributed, or published for any commercial purpose without prior consent.

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Case Study

How RTMC used Ookla’s Data Services to Empower Uzbekistan’s Digital Transformation

“Cooperation with Ookla has significantly helped RTMC and Uzbekistan as a whole in increasing the availability and speed of the Internet. Speedtest data allowed us to identify areas requiring improvement and objectively measure service quality.”

Shakirov Ulugbek
Director, RTMC

Benefits

  • Understand the full scope of Uzbekistan’s connectivity strengths and weaknesses
  • Leverage Ookla’s data-driven insights to develop a comprehensive digitization plan
  • Monitor the progress of Digital Uzbekistan 2030 to ensure continuous improvement

Download the full PDF of this case study in Russian. 

The telecommunications landscape in Central Asia is evolving rapidly, and Uzbekistan has risen to the challenge with its ambitious Digital Uzbekistan 2030 plan. This comprehensive national strategy aims to improve the country’s digital infrastructure, increase the efficiency of government services, and foster innovation and economic growth through the integration of modern technologies.

The Republican Telecommunications Management Center of Uzbekistan (RTMC), responsible for implementing this strategy, recognized that data-driven decision making and real-time connectivity performance data were crucial for success. RTMC turned to Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence® data, which has played a key role in Uzbekistan’s journey, particularly in the implementation of 5G technology and the overall improvement of connectivity in the country.

Situation

As RTMC began implementing Digital Uzbekistan 2030, they encountered a significant challenge: a lack of objective, real-time network performance data to show progress and evaluate user experiences.

A key objective of the strategy was ensuring a widespread penetration of 5G technology throughout the country, but RTMC needed a way to evaluate 5G deployments and performance. Traditional methods of on-site measurements proved to be sporadic and often not comprehensive enough to provide a clear picture of the evolving telecommunications landscape.

Solution

To address the challenges of implementing Digital Uzbekistan 2030, RTMC turned to Speedtest Intelligence® data. This solution provided a comprehensive way to analyze network performance and user experiences across the country. As part of Uzbekistan’s initial 5G rollout, RTMC leveraged Speedtest’s crowdsourced data to analyze actual customer speeds, identifying and focusing on underperforming areas.

RTMC paid particular attention to regional centers, industrial zones, technology parks, and educational institutions to promote their goals of digitized public services and digital entrepreneurship growth. Speedtest data also offered valuable insights into individual operator performance, allowing RTMC to assess service quality improvements and identify areas for further development.

Outcome

The use of Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence® data has supported RTMC’s efforts in implementing the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 initiative, contributing to improvements in the country’s digital landscape. While the full realization of the project’s goals is expected to take several years, clear progress has been made, touching various aspects of Uzbekistan’s technological infrastructure and digital services.

For instance, since beginning its 5G rollout plan and utilizing Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence® data to inform decisions and monitor progress, Uzbekistan has seen improvements in its digital landscape:

  • Fixed broadband speeds have improved, with Speedtest Intelligence showing that all fixed broadband providers combined in Uzbekistan showed an increase in median download speed, jumping from 50.38 Mbps in Q2 2023 to 65.42 Mbps in Q2 2024

  • Broadband coverage has improved significantly, with 94% of populated areas now covered by fixed broadband internet access

  • 99% of residential areas are covered by mobile communications, nearing the 2030 target of 100%

  • The e-government portal now offers more than 500 online services

  • There’s been a sharp increase in the use of modern smartphones, smart devices, and online services among the population

 

As part of its ongoing Digital Uzbekistan 2030 plan, the country is leveraging Ookla’s data to identify areas requiring improvement, measure service quality, and guide its expansion of digital connectivity and infrastructure.

By incorporating Ookla’s data-driven insights into its national connectivity strategy, Uzbekistan continues to advance its technological capabilities and digital landscape, building on its position as one of Central Asia’s leading countries in telecommunications and digital technology.

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About RTMC

RTMC (Republican Telecommunications Management Center) is a regulatory committee in Uzbekistan focused on shaping public policy and enhancing national connectivity. Its primary goal is to ensure uninterrupted access to modern telecommunications services for the population, economy, and government. RTMC coordinates the efficient functioning of networks across operators, prioritizing their use for public authorities and national needs.

Ookla retains ownership of this content, including all of the intellectual property rights, data, images, graphs, and analysis. This content may not be quoted, reproduced, distributed, or published for any commercial purpose without prior consent.

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Case Study

How Red Sea Global Redefines Luxury Ecotourism with Connectivity and Smart Technologies

“We are proud to have successfully redefined luxury ecotourism by combining connectivity and smart technologies with our commitment to sustainability and conservation. Through the strong Gigabit 5G network at our international airport and premier resorts, we are well positioned to deliver a seamless and memorable guest experience. Most importantly, the fact that The Red Sea destination enjoys speeds exceeding the fastest city in the world is proof that being sustainable is not a hindrance to performance in any way.”

Dr. Ahmed Ali Alsohaily
Group Head of Technology at Red Sea Global

Benefits

  • Developed 5G infrastructure of the resorts, Turtle Bay Village, and airport using 100% renewable energy
  • Implemented unique tower designs to blend in with the resort’s surrounding environment using 3D printing and special fabrics
  • Optimized 5G network build-out, resulting in a median 5G download speed of 980.58 Mbps during Q3 2023 – Q4 2023

 

Download the full PDF of this case study in Arabic.

The future of tourism and hospitality leverages connectivity to provide a seamless guest experience from the moment you reach your destination. In alignment with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives, Red Sea Global (RSG) is reshaping international luxury tourism by combining connected technology with an unwavering dedication to sustainability and conservation. Red Sea Global, a developer wholly owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has opened two resorts so far, served by a dedicated international airport on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. Recognizing that a seamless vacation experience requires connectivity at every step, RSG set out to build premier resorts with high-performing networks and smart technologies. RSG took on this challenge while meeting rigorous global environmental standards – remaining carbon-neutral, using 100% renewable energy, and ensuring 30% net positive conservation benefits by 2040 ​​by planting 50 million mangroves and 30 million trees.

Situation

Red Sea Global has opened its first two resorts at The Red Sea destination: The Six Senses Southern Dunes resort and the St. Regis Red Sea Resort at Ummahat Island, which will be joined soon by Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. These resorts are reachable using The Red Sea International (RSI) airport and will be joined over the next 18 months by another 21 resorts across The Red Sea and AMAALA destinations.

In order to provide a seamless guest experience at their resorts and airport, Red Sea Global needed to guarantee high-performing connectivity while being mindful of sustainability and environmental preservation. The 5G network build-out had to provide comprehensive coverage and fast speeds across the diverse terrain that includes beaches, dormant volcanoes, mountains, and deserts. RSG aimed to integrate robust 5G infrastructure to enable several guest experiences. This included vacation essentials such as media streaming and multimedia sharing on social media platforms. Further, RSG wanted to enable luxury amenities by leveraging smart technologies and harnessing Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities. Managing this 5G build-out while upholding rigorous sustainability standards required unique network deployment strategies and consistent monitoring.

Solution

Red Sea Global’s goal was to become a premier destination for luxury ecotourism. This brought strategic challenges as RSG wanted to build the best-performing networks they could with the least infrastructure necessary in order to blend in with the natural environment. At all locations, RSG monitored and optimized the build-out with Ookla’s network intelligence solutions, Speedtest Intelligence® and Cell Analytics®.

The priority was to develop the resorts and airports while preserving the rich surrounding environment and being mindful of resource consumption. RSG implemented solar-powered 5G stations, cooperating with operators to ensure towers were shared and configurations were optimized.

When selecting cell tower locations, RSG placed as few antennas as possible and compensated by leveraging large bandwidth (in excess of 300 MHz/operator) and 5G Carrier Aggregation (common combinations include EN-DC_1A-3C-28A_n40-n78 and EN-DC_1A-3A-20A_n41-n78). Tower designs were carefully selected to blend in with the surrounding environment. At the Southern Dunes, rooftop antennas were constructed on hills and covered by 3D printed camouflaging to preserve the guests’ views.

 

At the Turtle Bay Village hosting RSG employees and RSI airport, minimalistic towers were leveraged to blend in with the surrounding buildings. Ummahat Island, hosting the St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton resorts, used special fabrics to blend in with the resort designs.

The graph below highlights median download and upload speeds across The Red Sea destination.

In addition to keeping guests connected, 5G networks have enabled RSG to enhance the guest experience. One example was RSG’s smart luggage system: seamlessly processing flight details, executing luggage scans, and taking care of guests’ luggage on arrival and departure, eliminating the common stress of carrying belongings throughout the travel journey.

The graph below highlights median 5G download and upload speeds across The Red Sea destination.

Outcome

Red Sea Global aims to become a world-leading destination for luxury ecotourism through a focus on sustainability, innovative technology, and best-in-class connectivity. The resorts and airport are powered by a high-performing Gigabit 5G network. Recognizing the importance of strong connectivity for a seamless vacation experience, RSG has enabled new guest experiences that leverage smart technology and 5G coverage. From Q3 2023 – Q4 2023, Speedtest results from across The Red Sea destination have shown an impressive median download speed of 696.37 Mbps. These speeds surpass the top ranked Median City Speed worldwide on the Speedtest Global Index™ by over 86%, based on December 2023 results. The graph below highlights the fast speeds experienced by devices connected to a 5G network, 5G-capable devices connected to any network, and all devices connected to any network across The Red Sea destination.

As a result of RSG’s commitment to sustainability, they have been awarded the 2023 Global Telecoms Award and Telecom Review’s 2023 Excellence Award for creating the world’s first zero-carbon 5G Network. Red Sea Global will continue to redefine what luxury ecotourism looks like as they continue to monitor their networks and development of dozens of hotels over the next few years.

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About Red Sea Global

Red Sea Global (RSG) is a closed joint-stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. RSG is a global multi-project developer that prioritizes sustainable and regenerative practices to uplift communities, drive economies, and enhance the environment. A cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambition to diversify its economy, RSG aims to create opportunities for young Saudi talent and the private sector as it develops assets and destinations that positively impact people and the planet.

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Case Study

How Zain Bahrain Improved Speed and Customer Experience with Crowdsourced Network Intelligence

“We take great pride in delivering an excellent customer experience, which is why Ookla’s crowdsourced intelligence was an important part of our 3G sunset strategy. It enabled us to see exactly where customers were still using 3G and then improve 4G or 5G coverage in those areas, ultimately providing a seamless transition and improved customer experience.”

Amar Buali
Manager, Network Access, IP & Cyber Security & Building Services, Zain Bahrain

Benefits

  • Identified where customers were reliant on 3G networks to ensure a successful user transition to 4G and 5G networks
  • Validated improved network performance, coverage, and consumer sentiment as a result of the 3G sunset
  • Reduced operational costs and improved energy efficiency by reducing network complexity

 

Zain Bahrain recently became the first operator in the Middle East and North Africa to sunset its 3G network. The process of sunsetting 3G started with a partial shutdown in February 2022, and was completed 10 months later in December 2022. Zain saw significant improvement in median downlink and uplink throughput following its 3G sunset, leading to improved customer experience according to Ookla Consumer Sentiment Ratings.

LTE and 5G technologies are significantly more spectrum-efficient than 3G. By sunsetting 3G and freeing up spectrum for new technologies, operators can deliver faster, more resilient networks. Operators can benefit from lower operational costs, better energy efficiency, and improved customer experience — which is why Zain Bahrain set out to be the first operator in the Middle East and North Africa to sunset 3G. Zain used Ookla Cell AnalyticsTM to identify areas with dense 3G traffic, areas where consumers were still using older devices, and locations in need of improved 4G coverage.

Situation

Zain’s plan to sunset 3G would require careful planning and communication to ensure a seamless experience for users and businesses as they transitioned to 4G and 5G networks. Zain knew that while shutting down 3G, there was a risk of customers becoming dissatisfied if it impacted their quality of service. When sunsetting 3G in markets where many consumers don’t have 4G- or 5G-capable devices, it’s important to understand where these customers are located and how much of their time is spent on legacy technology. Before shutting down 3G, Zain needed to ensure that their 4G and 5G networks would be prepared to handle previous 3G traffic.

Solution

Using crowdsourced network intelligence in Cell Analytics, Zain Bahrain was able to find out where customers were still relying on 3G — down to where subscribers have user equipment that can’t connect to modern network technology. Looking at downlink throughput on 3G Devices in Bahrain during Q2 2022, we can see that there was a concentration of 3G users in the capital city of Manama.

 

Looking at LTE RSRP data during the same time period, Zain was able to determine if customers were using 3G due to weaker 4G or 5G network coverage. They were also able to understand where improved coverage would be needed to enhance customer experience. The yellow and orange dots below indicate areas where 4G signal strength needed improvement at the time.

Voice over LTE (VoLTE) was a key aspect of Zain’s strategy to ensure a successful 3G sunset. In the absence of VoLTE, 4G- and 5G- capable devices will fall back to 3G for voice services. This might result in poor customer experience due to the inability of 2G to handle voice and data simultaneously. To address this, Zain focused on increasing awareness of VoLTE and ensuring that users have it enabled on their devices. Zain was also able to offer customers low-cost LTE device upgrades to help with the eventual transition from 3G to 4G and 5G networks.

Sunsetting 3G can impact more than consumer devices. In Bahrain, many machine-to-machine (M2M) devices like smart meters previously utilized 3G network technology. To ensure connectivity for devices that weren’t 4G- or 5G-capable, Zain continuously monitored and maintained availability of its 2G network.

After the sunset was complete, Zain used Cell Analytics to monitor customer adoption of 4G and 5G and ensure connectivity for M2M devices. Looking at downlink throughput on 3G devices one year later during Q2 2023, there were no users connected to 3G post-sunset. Downlink throughput for 4G and 5G shows where these customers are now connecting to new network technologies — indicating that 4G and 5G adoption is going well.

Outcome

As a result of the 3G sunset, Zain Bahrain was able to optimize CAPEX and OPEX, reduce its carbon footprint, improve its network performance and coverage, and provide a better end-to-end customer experience.

In terms of network performance, Zain saw over 60% improvement in median downlink throughput and over 30% improvement in median uplink throughput after the sunset was complete.

These faster speeds played a crucial role in lifting Bahrain’s Speedtest Global IndexTM ranking into the top 10 countries worldwide for March and April of 2023.

Zain’s improved performance and coverage led to a higher Ookla Consumer Sentiment Rating which is based on five-star ratings provided by customers at the end-of-test survey in Speedtest®. As you can see below, Zain’s overall customer satisfaction rating improved steadily over 2023.

With the help of Ookla Cell Analytics, Zain was able to successfully sunset 3G in Bahrain — providing a more advanced network and a better customer experience, as well as improved performance for the entire kingdom of Bahrain.

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About Zain Bahrain

Zain Bahrain is a telecommunications industry innovator focused on enhancing customer experience. Zain Bahrain is part of Zain Group, a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa, which provides mobile voice and data services to over 53 million active customers as of March 31, 2023. With a commercial presence in eight countries, Zain operates in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and South Sudan. In Morocco, Zain has a 15.5% stake in ‘INWI’, through a joint venture.

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Case Study

How Bahrain Network (BNET) Accelerates Innovation in the Kingdom of Bahrain by Providing Faster Fiber

“We’ve seen that there is a direct correlation between the ubiquity of broadband access and the impact on GDP. Currently, telecommunications is contributing almost 7% of Bahrain’s GDP. In addition to that, we see that broadband is a driver for all other industries.”

Ahmed Jaber Aldoseri
CEO at BNET

Benefits

  • 100% of businesses are now connected to fiber optic networks
  • 95% of residences are now connected to fiber optic services
  • 3.75x increase in national fixed broadband speeds since 2020

The widespread availability of high-speed broadband services and healthy competition among internet service providers (ISPs) are crucial drivers of national digital transformation. The Kingdom of Bahrainʼs Fifth National Telecommunication Plan (NTP5) was developed to accelerate the growth and economic diversification of the telecommunications sector, including rolling out a fiber optic network to 100% of all businesses and 95% of all households across the Kingdom. Bahrain Network (BNET), the sole operator of the national fiber-optic broadband network in the Kingdom of Bahrain, aims to provide ISPs with the infrastructure required to enable providers to meet the demands of both consumers and businesses for world-class telecoms services at fair and reasonable prices.

As the provider of the national broadband network, BNET has developed a single infrastructure to deliver ultra-fast broadband services to thirteen licensees, encouraging healthy competition. As a result of BNET’s efforts and services, fixed internet speeds have increased by 3.75x between 2020 and 2023. As one of the first countries in the Middle East to have a fully liberalized broadband market, the Kingdom of Bahrain has seen connectivity drive broad economic development, as well as improved consumer access to ultra-fast fiber.

BNET’s impact on broadband in Bahrain

In order to accelerate competition and facilitate economic growth in Bahrain, BNET reviewed existing global standards for broadband, such as those set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which generally cite 25 Mbps as an adequate download speed and 3 Mbps as an adequate upload speed. With video and teleconferencing becoming increasingly dominant forms of internet traffic, BNET has determined that 100 Mbps should be the minimum acceptable download speed today and, as a result, has officially raised their entry-level speed to 100 Mbps. BNET has further recognized that the minimum acceptable upload speeds should be at 50% of download speeds as more users share content and utilize video on the uplink. This has been reflected for the majority of their fiber packages.

Consumers have a high demand for connectivity, with the average number of connected devices in a Bahraini household rapidly increasing. Consumers want to make video calls, watch streaming entertainment, conduct work, and access remote learning with a high quality of experience. BNET has met these demands by accelerating bandwidth and providing ultra-fast fiber to the home.

By providing equally fast fiber to licensed operators, BNET enables a world class infrastructure in Bahrain. With world-class connectivity, Bahrain can attract new businesses like hyperscalers and data centers — and drive innovation in the region and beyond.

Key outcomes of BNET’s efforts

As part of its national fiber rollout, BNET has supported the ambition of the Kingdom to become a digital economy benefiting from ubiquitous broadband connectivity as per its NTP5.

With 100% of businesses and 95.3% of residences connected (89.3% of all addresses), BNET continues to adopt the latest innovative technologies. BNET aims to provide access to the world’s leading fiber optic network services for all licensed service providers in the Kingdom, in line with fair and equal terms and conditions.

As measured by Speedtest®, BNET has increased fiber speeds in the Kingdom by 3.75x over the last three years.

 

While fast speeds are important, providing consistent quality of service and customer experience is also a key indicator of network quality. BNET’s fiber has successfully become 2.31x more consistent since Q2 2020, as measured by Ookla’s Consistency Score™. This score reflects the percentage of BNET’s fiber data samples that meet a minimum threshold of 25 Mbps for download and 3 Mbps for upload speeds.

As the national broadband network provider, BNET has worked with its customers to help explore areas of low broadband penetration. By launching a coverage map, BNET has given ISPs guidance on where to promote their services — with the aim of enhancing internet connectivity among all residents of the Kingdom. This interactive map highlights fiber coverage rates per blocks in the Kingdom of Bahrain, aiming to provide an accessible and user-friendly dashboard to all licensed operators.

Ookla looks forward to tracking Bahrain’s growth and improved connectivity as BNET continues the expansion of its fiber rollout and drives innovation in the Kingdom.

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About BNET

Bahrain Network (BNET) is the sole provider and operator of the national fiber-optic broadband network in the Kingdom of Bahrain. BNET aims to provide ISPs with the infrastructure required to enable providers to meet both consumer and commercial demands for world-class telecoms services at fair and reasonable prices.

Ookla retains ownership of this content, including all of the intellectual property rights, data, images, graphs, and analysis. This content may not be quoted, reproduced, distributed, or published for any commercial purpose without prior consent.

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Case Study

How Vodafone Qatar Became the World’s Fastest Mobile Network Operator in 2022

“We are honored to receive the ultimate accolade of being named the World’s Fastest Mobile Network by Ookla. By powering our advertisement campaigns with this verified award from Ookla, we have been able to showcase our persistent pursuit of excellence and commitment to our customers worldwide.”

Ramy Boctor
Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone Qatar

Benefits

  • Identified critical areas for improvement to network capacity, performance, and coverage
  • Provided network coverage across multiple stadiums where over 15 million calls were made and over 1,188 TB of data were consumed
  • Delivered service to over one million active roamers, and over 400,000 Fan SIM card users during the live sporting event
  • Increased median download speed by 106% and upload speed by 10% on modern chipsets, between between Q3-Q4 2021 and Q3-Q4 2022

Download the full PDF of this case study in Arabic.

When Qatar was selected to host one of the world’s largest sporting events, preparations began to ensure that the country was ready to provide reliable connectivity to the millions of incoming fans and visitors from around the world. Recognizing this event as an opportunity to invest in Qatar’s digital economy, Vodafone Qatar delivered effectively on its intent to provide seamless connectivity for their customers, developing strategic plans to rapidly scale their networks and deliver fast service throughout the country, in alignment with the support and efforts of the government of Qatar. As a result of their significant network improvements and unrivaled network performance, Vodafone Qatar was awarded the Speedtest Award for the World’s Fastest Mobile Network in 2022.

Situation

As the major sporting event brought all eyes on Qatar, Vodafone Qatar was determined to showcase their capabilities and advancements to a global audience. Along with improving their customers’ experience, the operator wanted to contribute towards Qatar’s national initiatives for digital transformation and economic development. Throughout the various stages of this rollout, Vodafone Qatar monitored progress with Ookla’s solutions for network intelligence.

Solution

The major sporting event prompted Vodafone Qatar to accelerate its plans for network growth. Over the course of three years leading up to the event, they focused on network expansion to ensure that they could accommodate the additional traffic and risk of congestion while delivering world-class customer experience. In order to effectively provide a seamless customer experience to both their existing customer base and the high number of fans and visitors alike, Vodafone Qatar nearly doubled their total number of radio network sites, upgraded the existing sites’ technologies, grew 5G coverage and capacity, and added more international connections. They also implemented new technologies, such as 5G mmWave, which enables higher data speeds than other 5G spectrum bands.

With network intelligence from Ookla’s Cell Analytics™ and Speedtest Intelligence®, Vodafone Qatar was able to monitor their progress in comparison to other providers and countries. Leading up to the event, Vodafone Qatar developed their network capacity and in-building enhanced network assurance, successfully delivering service across all stadiums where over 15 million calls were made and over 1,188 TB of data were consumed, in addition to providing coverage to over one million active roamers, and over 400,000 Fan SIM card users during the games.

Vodafone Qatar accomplished their ambitious goals for growth, nearly tripling their median download speeds and doubling their median upload speeds within three years. Vodafone Qatar’s average mobile download speed went from 85.51 Mbps in Q3-Q4 of 2020 to 263.21 Mbps in Q3-Q4 2022, and average upload speed went from 16.29 Mbps in Q3-Q4 of 2020 to 24.21 Mbps in Q3-Q4 of 2022 based on Speedtest measurements on modern chipsets. As a result, they were successfully awarded the Speedtest Award for the World’s Fastest Mobile Network in 2022 with a Speed Score™ of 238.56.

 

Vodafone Qatar celebrated this momentous accomplishment with several promotional efforts including a fully integrated campaign inclusive of both offline and digital channels, as well as web and social media ads on their platforms. They were presented with their award at the 2023 Mobile World Congress, the largest industry event for the connectivity ecosystem.

Vodafone Qatar’s Chief Technology Officer, Ramy Boctor, and Enterprise Business Director, Mahday Saad Al-Hebabi also participated in an exclusive interview with Ookla analysts to detail how they achieved this feat. These event opportunities allowed Vodafone Qatar to increase their brand recognition and showcase their accomplishment on a global stage with major industry players.

Outcome 

The impact of hosting one of the world’s largest sporting events drove Vodafone Qatar to implement strategic investments towards their network and ensure better customer satisfaction. They utilized Ookla’s network intelligence and reports to track their progress towards providing the fastest service. Ultimately, Vodafone Qatar’s outstanding network expansion led them to become the World’s Fastest Mobile Network in Q3-Q4 of 2022. This award has been a testimony of Qatar’s leadership as facilitated through the State of Qatar’s decisions on licensing and spectrum. In addition, the massive scale of growth that was accomplished in the short time period created positive brand ROI that could be felt by Vodafone Qatar’s customers, employees, and the greater country.

The improved speed and coverage provided by the mobile network operators in Qatar also led to better QoE (Quality of Experience) for visitors across stadiums and entertainment destinations of Qatar, making notable improvements in experiences such as page load time, streaming, and video conferencing. Vodafone Qatar’s achievement has supported Qatar’s digital transformation agenda, as outlined by Qatar National Vision 2030, helping to drive a competitive environment in Qatar. This led to better national averages and consumer experience overall in the market as Qatar ranked #1 in mobile speeds worldwide during this major event in November and December 2022, according to the Ookla Global Index. Vodafone Qatar intends to continue using crowdsourced data to provide superior connectivity to its customers.

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About Vodafone Qatar

Vodafone Qatar provides voice, messaging, data, fixed communications, Internet of Things, and ICT managed services for consumers and enterprises in Qatar. Headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Vodafone Qatar serves over 2 million consumers nationwide. Vodafone Qatar is the winner of the Speedtest Awards for Fastest Mobile Network Q3–Q4 2022.

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Case Study

How a DAS Integrator, Wireless Services, Resolved a Carrier’s Mobile Network Issues at Miami International Airport with Ookla Wind®

“With real-time results in the Wind Console, we were able to streamline a process that used to take a few weeks’ worth of testing and adjustments down to just two days. I was able to share walk-test views with our customers in real-time, while our testers were still on-site. This saved countless man-hours of testing and re-testing, both for us and our customers.”

David Olka
System Performance Manager at Wireless Services

Benefits

  • With instant post-processing and real-time analytics, testing and optimization took two days, rather than many weeks
  • Made real-time optimizations to their managed DAS, including downtilt adjustments and antenna power adjustments
  • Discovered capacity issues caused by usage spikes that the operators were not able to see in their data aggregates
  • Identified parameter updates and capacity additions to address carrier-side network deficiencies

Airports are critical locations for mobile network operators to ensure reliable, high-quality service — both for the millions of travelers passing through each year and for the airlines that rely on mobile networks for key technology. When a major U.S. mobile network operator updated its network technology around Miami International Airport, one of their biggest commercial customers started experiencing issues because their equipment was configured for legacy technology. Complicating the situation, the network operator and airlines had conflicting results from their testing and devices, both seeing different issues at the same spots within the airport.

Wireless Services is the design, installation, commission, and testing provider of distributed antenna systems (DAS) that manages DAS and critical infrastructure in the area. To troubleshoot the issues that arose during this major network update, Wireless Services needed the ability to accurately test the network, identify spikes in usage, and quickly make recommendations for optimizations and added capacity. To better serve the operators, Wireless Services used Wind®, Ookla’s handset-based mobile network testing solution, to walk test Miami International Airport and rapidly deliver recommendations.

Situation

As a major U.S. operator updated its network technology around Miami International Airport, an important commercial airline customer began to experience problems. During this crucial time period, the operator started experiencing massive issues with service at the airport. Wireless Services, who provided DAS and other infrastructure services to the operator, needed to rapidly discover the root cause of the network issues and make recommendations. Beyond testing their own infrastructure, it was important to analyze the entire airport to discover areas of poor performance, throughput, or signal strength, as well as locations where users were connecting to unexpected cell sites.

Solution

Wireless Services conducted an extensive walk test of the airport using Ookla Wind. When the client operator reported conflicting results of measured throughput, Wireless Services used Ookla Wind to capture detailed KPIs on radio network conditions, coverage, and call information, as well as throughput as measured by Ookla Speedtest®.

Because the operator had escalated the issue, Wireless Services was tasked with conducting the walk test and providing resolutions in a matter of weeks. Using Wind, they were able to complete the walk test and subsequent analysis in two days.

 

After the initial investigation, Wireless Services delivered the walk test results to both the carrier and their commercial airline customer. Working with both companies, Wireless Services was able to identify parameter updates and capacity additions to address carrier-side network deficiencies — as well as compare Wind data to operator-provided data. By sharing the real-time, streaming data from Wind Console, the clients were able to validate the results while testers were still on-site, which led to the discovery of a congestion issue that was not detectable in the carrier’s internal data aggregates.

Outcome 

With real-time walk testing and accurate, reliable data on the operators’ network conditions, Wireless Services was able to help develop a resolution, including discovering a capacity issue that wasn’t being recorded on the operator’s internal views of trending data. With Wireless Service’s recommendation, the operator made the decision to add capacity to accommodate this surge in congestion.

Additionally, Wireless Services was able to better determine which areas needed DAS coverage to address the operator’s highest-priority operational needs. With Wireless Services quickly providing enhanced coverage in critical areas, the operator could then develop a long-term plan to add and expand capacity or conduct renovations to improve service.

This was made possible by Wireless Services’ ability to provide thorough and immediate walk-test results and surface found issues to the operators. They were able to both rapidly allocate resources and to make actionable recommendations for the operators’ long-term network planning and optimization efforts. 

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About Wireless Services

Wireless Services, headquartered in Louisiana, is a leading full-service distributed antenna system (DAS) integrator for major mobile network operators with decades of experience in comprehensive site acquisition, program development, system design, project and construction management, installation, commissioning, and monitoring and maintaining complex wireless infrastructure in notable real estate, airports, and stadiums throughout the United States. 

Ookla retains ownership of this content, including all of the intellectual property rights, data, images, graphs, and analysis. This content may not be quoted, reproduced, distributed, or published for any commercial purpose without prior consent.