P3 Connect Mobile Benchmark to Test UK Mobile Network Experience

LONDON, October 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

P3 communications, the international consulting, engineering and testing services company is currently conducting its industry-leading set of benchmark tests on the UK's mobile networks EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.

P3 today announced that the final benchmark will be published in early November, revealing how each operator is performing in key areas to meet growing consumer expectations and highlighting where there are gaps that need to be addressed with further investments.

The tests, which have been conducted by P3 in the UK since 2014, have grown to become the most trusted benchmark amongst UK operators. Covering a comprehensive range of metrics, the results allow the operators to compare the ordinary user's experience of each network through a series of measurements taken while driving, walking and indoors, covering major metropolitan areas and smaller towns, their connecting roads and major highways.

In London, P3 will examine how operators are meeting the challenge of providing coverage in a very large city with high population density and will compare the results with the rest of the country. The outcomes will be vital to any assessment of the capital's progress towards being a smart city, establishing whether the networks are fit to embrace the many opportunities the UK government, city planners and businesses have to capitalise on connected devices and Internet of Things technologies.

As with last year, when EE emerged as the winner of the "best in the test" accolade, the 2016 mobile benchmark will measure voice and data performance on the UK's 3G and 4G networks, using LTE-capable smartphones. Test metrics include voice-call quality, success-rates, file upload and download speeds, website access and mobile video performance. Data services will involve browsing popular web pages, transferring files and playing HD YouTube content.

"Our tests show what's technologically feasible today and if operators' major infrastructure investments deliver significant improvements for their customers," says Hakan Ekmen, CEO P3. "We are looking forward to revealing how network operators are faring and how well they are meeting the increasing demands of consumers in a marketplace that is both highly competitive and vital to the development of the modern connected economy in all regions of the UK, including the capital."

The independent benchmark methodology of P3 has become the leading resource for operators internationally and is highly anticipated by the operator community. Assuring a fair, transparent and neutral evaluation of the networks across consistent test environments, the benchmark will span voice and data services establishing a clear test ranking and overall test winner.

At the same time, it allows a quantitative drill-down into each of the categories, with P3 using its own experience of scoring and reporting from other international benchmarks.

Walking tests are conducted using a trolley with battery pack and smartphones, while the driving tests involve two cars, each equipped with smartphones. Data and voice tests are conducted with separate phones, while telephony is tested mobile-to-mobile, from one car to another. The tests are as realistic as possible, with for example, background data traffic generated on smartphones during voice calls.

About P3  

P3 is a leading international consulting, engineering and testing services company with a rapidly growing team of more than 3,000 consultants and engineers working to develop and implement innovative solutions to today's complex technology challenges. In 2015, P3 posted a turnover of more than 300 million EUR. Offering a broad portfolio of services and proprietary tools to the automotive, aerospace, telecommunications and energy industries, P3 adds tangible value that helps clients succeed at every stage, from innovation to implementation. In the telecommunications sector, P3 communications provides independent technical and management consulting services including network planning, end-to-end optimization, security, QoS and QoE testing, international benchmarking, device testing and acceptance services. P3's clients include network operators, equipment vendors, device manufacturers, public safety organizations and regulatory authorities around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.p3-group.com.

About connect 

connect (connect-testmagazine.com) runs its own smartphone testing laboratory with test sites for OTA (over the air) measurements, endurance measurements and speech quality measurements to review smartphones in depth and detail. connect is a publication of the WEKA MEDIA PUBLISHING GmbH, the largest publishing house for technology in Germany and part of the WEKA group. The group consists of 20 media ventures in five European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Swiss) and several service companies.