A Framework for a User-Centric Determination of Mobile Broadband Performance in Nigeria

There has been a steady increase in mobile broadband coverage and penetration in Nigeria as a result of affordable user devices and better coverage by mobile network operators (MNOs). However, the quality of service (QoS) information for the services provided is not readily available to subscribers. In a bid to make this information available, this paper presents preliminary results from measurements carried out to determine the download and upload throughput of some mobile broadband networks in Nigeria. Uyo and Eket were chosen as pilot measurement cities and the measurements were conducted from a user-centric perspective using a mobile phone application. The results obtained reveal that actual broadband throughput is several orders of magnitude lower than expected theoretical values. A more sustainable framework for exhaustive measurements using a Raspberry Pi-based test bed has been proposed and is being developed. The test bed would be equipped with remote access and communication capabilities and would be deployed in different parts of the country. This would allow for extensive data collection and a holistic and in-depth analysis of the mobile broadband performance in Nigeria.