Assessing the outdoor quality of 4G/5G mobile service providers in the Muscat Governorate of Oman

Drive testing is pivotal for assessing and enhancing the performance of mobile networks for operators. As the shift from 4G to 5G networks occurs, evaluating and comparing the performance of these technologies in real-world scenarios becomes imperative. Drive test real measurement data assumes a central role in the optimization of mobile networks. By conducting physical drive tests, operators gain invaluable insights into critical factors such as signal quality, data throughput, and network coverage. This empirical data empowers them to identify areas with inadequate coverage, optimize antenna settings, refine handover parameters, and strategically deploy additional base stations. This paper provides symmetrical performance analyses based on an experimental study of operating 5G cellular networks for four outdoor environments (Al-Seeb, Muscat, Al-Amarat, and Muttrah) in Muscat, Oman. The data measurement campaign was collected using mobile devices from three mobile network providers (Omantel, Ooredoo, and Vodafone). The network’s performance was assessed using various metrics, such as signal quality and data rate. The assessment results indicate that the dominant networks in the measured areas are 5G networks, except in the Muttah area where all mobile network providers displayed lower performance. On average, all mobile providers achieved a download data rate of 21.9 Mbps, with a maximum download speed exceeding 12.2 Mbps in outdoor scenarios. Additionally, all mobile providers recorded an average latency of 66.6 ms. The performance of the 5G network showed slight improvements in certain scenarios compared to 4G networks due to the networks being in the initial stage.