Performance Evaluation of LTE Networks

The explosion of mobile data usage due to the increase of mobile subscribers and emergence of new applications such as mobile TV and online gaming, which requires high quality of service is the driving force for developing Long-Term Evolution (LTE) mobile networks by 3GPP. Service providers are migrating to this network due to its promising quality of service to assist them meet the growing end-user demand for more bandwidth, high security and faster connectivity. Service providers in Nigeria claimed to have rolled out 4G (LTE) nationwide, yet mobile subscribers are still unhappy with network operators over slow network connection and poor quality of service. Base on this motive, OMNeT++ simulator was used to evaluate performance of LTE networks by varying number of user equipment (UE) connected to evolved Node Base station (eNB), distance of UE from eNB and mobility speed of UE. Performance metrics used are throughput, end-to-end delay and packet loss. We observed that the LTE network is capable of providing good quality voice call. Though, its quality is affected with increasing distances between UE and eNodeB, number of connected users, and mobility speed of user.