3G/4G services: Users data higher than benchmark set in licences, PTA reveals

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revealed that user data "throughput" of 3G/4G services is higher than the benchmark set in cellular mobile operators' licences. The PTA has conducted quarterly Quality of Service (QoS) survey in the year 2018, jointly with Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) using NEMO automated QoS tool. During the period, a total of 27 cities of Pakistan including areas of AJK have been surveyed. The performance of data services of CMOs has been checked by measuring user data throughput and signal strength Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
According to the survey, user data "throughput" of 3G services is higher than the benchmark set in their respective licences. This KPI defines user data rate (internet speed) to be provided by NGMS operators to mobile users across the coverage areas. Data throughput of Zong is the highest with 6.35 Mbps followed by Jazz with 5.22 Mbps and Telenor with 3.64 Mbps, whereas data throughput of Ufone is the lowest among all NGMS operators with 3.45 Mbps.
User data "throughput" of 4G services is higher than the benchmark set in their respective licences. Data throughput of Jazz is the highest with 20.67 Mpbs followed by Zong with 14.05, whereas data throughput of Telenor is the lowest among all NGMS operators with 6.23 Mpbs.
The survey noted that the Signal Strength (RSCP) of 3G network has been observed higher than the threshold value of in the areas traversed during surveys, for all CMOs. The Signal Strength (RSRP) of 4G network has been observed higher than the threshold value in the areas traversed during surveys. This KPI defines Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) for 3G and Received Signal Receive Power (RSRP) for 4G and denotes the power measured by a receiver on a particular physical communication channel. It is used as an indication of signal strength, as a handover criterion, in downlink power control, and to calculate path loss.
The PTA has stated that Jazz and Special Communication Organisation (SCOM) are not meeting minimum benchmark of call connection time of 6.5 seconds. Call Connection Time is the time between sending of complete call initiation information by the caller and in return receipt of call setup notification. It is time between dialing a number and hearing ring-back tone. Call connection time for SCOM is 6.7 seconds, 6.57 seconds for Jazz, 6.32 seconds for Telenor, 5.99 seconds for Zong and 5.73 seconds for Ufone.
Grade of Service is probability that the end customer cannot access the mobile services when requested if it is offered by display of the network indicator on the mobile phone. In simple words, Grade of Service is network blocking. All mobile operators are meeting the threshold value of Grade of Service.
SMS success rate for SCOM is below the standard value of 99%. SMS success rate is the probability that the short message is delivered successfully, end-to-end when requested and display of the relevant information on the mobile phone. It provides information about successful delivery of SMS.