Australian mobile broadband network performance Mobile apps as one possible way to provide consumer information

Main Article Content

Shara Evans

Keywords

Australian mobile broadband, network performance

Abstract

This paper explores the ways in which consumers gain information about mobile network performance and coverage, then examines the factors that impact mobile performance, and the challenges affiliated with representing results, which are highly influenced by transient events. The paper then discusses the role that mobile speed test apps and crowdsourcing initiatives can play in measuring mobile broadband performance, and provides an analysis of how the features and methodologies of eight major speed test applications compare and contrast. Lastly, the paper provides a brief review of the US Government’s Broadband Mapping Program; and some closing thoughts on lessons for Australia, and in particular how a crowdsourcing initiative could complement the recently announced $100m Mobile Coverage Programme.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract 43 | PDF Downloads 12

References

Australian Communications and Media Authority. 2013. Reconnecting the Customer: Mobile Network Performance Forum, 14 November 2013. Available at http://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/About/Events/Mobile-Network-Performance-Forum/mobile-network-performance-forum.
California Public Utilities Commission. nd. California Broadband Availability Maps and Data. Available at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Information+for+providing+service/Broadband+Availability+Maps.htm
California Public Utilities Commission. nd. "CPUC Unveils Mobile Speed Testing Application; Begins Round of Broadband Testing Throughout State". Available at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NEWSLETTER_IMAGES/0513ISSUE/CPUCeNewsletter_0513_full.html
Department of Communications, Australian Government. 2013. Mobile Coverage Programme. Available at http://www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_coverage_programme
Mobile Pulse. 2014. www.mobilepulse.com
Neville, Anne. 2011. Official FCC Blog. State Broadband Initiative — NTIA, “The National Broadband Map,” 17 February 2011. Available at http://www.fcc.gov/blog/national-broadband-map
U.S. Department of Commerce. nd. National Telecommunications and Information Administration. NTIA’s State Broadband Initiative, National Broadband Map. Available at www.broadbandmap.gov/data-download.
U.S. Department of Commerce. nd. National Telecommunications and Information Administration. NTIA’s State Broadband Initiative, National Broadband Map Datasets. Available at http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/broadband-data
Optus, Nov 2013, https://www.optus.com.au/network/mobile/coverage
State of Delaware. 2013. Broadband in Delaware - About the Project. Available at http://www.broadband.delaware.gov/about.shtml and Delaware Department of Technology and Information, Contract No. DTI-08-0013, Delaware Broadband Data and Development, Spring 2013 Data Submission White Paper (March 2013)
State of Delaware. 2011. Interactive Map. Available at http://www.broadband.delaware.gov/map.shtml
State of Delaware. nd. Internet Speed Test. Available at http://www.delawarespeedtest.com/
Telstra Corporation. 2013. See http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/coverage-networks/our-coverage/ (Nov 2013)
The State of Utah. nd. Broadband Project, About the Interactive Map. Available at http://broadband.utah.gov/about/about-the-interactive-map/
The State of Utah. nd. Broadband Project, Utah Mobile Broadband ‘Drive Test’ Data Available for Download, http://broadband.utah.gov/2011/10/13/utah-mobile-broadband-drive-test-data-available-for-download/ and http://broadband.utah.gov/map/
Vodafone. 2013. Coverage Checker Nov 2013 and Jan 2014. Available at http://www.vodafone.com.au/aboutvodafone/network/checker
Western Telecommunications Alliance. 2009. FCC Definition of broadband, as cited by Western Telecommunications Alliance to US Dept of Commerce, NTIA, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 submission, April 2009.