ABSTRACT

In this research, enhancing mobile network portability for wireless communication system providers in Nigeria is presented. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of network providers in Nigeria were examined. Mobile network data for Aba, (Abia State), Umuahia, (Abia State), and Mbaise, (Imo State) collected from Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) was used for the study. The two prominent network operators in Nigeria namely Mobile Telecommunication Nigeria, (MTN) and Global Communication Nigeria, (GLO NIG) were analyzed in the context of their Key Performance Indicators data which Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) regulates. The collected data shows the non uniformity of the operators in terms of Quality of Service (QoS) delivery to its customers. This was further validated by comparing the NCC benchmark with the Key Performance Indicators of network providers considered. The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) considered in this research were Call Drop Rate (CDR), Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Agent Utilization Rate (AUR), Handover Success Rate (HSR), Awaiting Time (AWT) and Call Quality Factor (CQF). The findings lead to a  better  method  of  subscriber  migration  in mobile cellular networks  and its implementation  framework  in  future  mobile phones and devices. A Fuzzy-SIMULINK portability Suite for Mobile Number Portability (MNP) network model was implemented. Consequently, this research then developed a Java Visual Sim portability Suite for Mobile Number Portability (MNP) while formulating a parametric SIM network algorithm. From the results obtained, it was observed that taking an average of the MNP for the various networks under study, MTN NG ranks better with an average score of 78%, strongly followed by GLO NG with an MNP score of 77%. From the study, it was also observed that none of the network operators reached the NCC target for mobile number portability of 80% score for the considered KPI’s. But in terms of customers satisfaction, call volume and service level, it was observed that GLO NIG has the best network performance as compared to MTN Nigeria. The research equally observed that call drop rate experienced by some Network operators could be attributed to low signal strength on the downlink or uplink, lack of best server, congestion in neighbouring cells, and unsuccessful outgoing handover. The research recommend that the regulators of these network operators must actively encourage the use of improved MNP scheme to avoid subscriber exploitation while compelling service providers to come up with innovative scheme that will improve Quality of Service.