Study of an Android application for mobile network signal quality assessment

The article addresses the growing importance of reliable mobile network signals in modern communication. Signal quality varies due to factors such as location, operator infrastructure, and environmental conditions. Traditional methods for assessing mobile network signal quality, based on laboratory research and specialized equipment, fail to fully represent real-world usage scenarios. To address this issue, the study introduces an Android-basedapplication designed for real-time signal measurement and analysis. Its key advantages include wide geographic coverage, realistic data collection, automated information processing, and the ability to engage a large number of users in the analysis process. The application leverages Android APIs to collect data on signal type (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G), signal strength (RSRP), operator information, and device location. The collected data are visualized on maps and can be saved for further analysis. A comparative study of two operators, Beeline and MegaFon, highlighted differences in signal quality over a 7-kilometer distance. The study’s findings emphasize the potential of user-driven tools for creating detailed signal coverage maps, benefiting both consumers and mobile operators in understanding real network characteristics. The proposed tool takes advantage of the widespread use of smartphones, enabling large-scale data collection and realistic network performance analysis. This solution enhances objective evaluation of operators and improves convenience for end-users.