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EUTELIS CONSULT
Consulting firm fortelecommunications and value
added services (Ltd)
Analysing peak and off peak in mobile
communications
Michael Berlage, Senior Consultant P.O. Box
101210, 40832 Ratingen, Germany Tel. 49 2102
999 037 Fax. [phone]
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Network load in mobile communications
Peak and Off peak are defined according to the
distribution of traffic over time
Network usage can also be differentiated
according to the distribution over space
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Peak and off peak in mobile communications

• Spare capacity in time is an issue both for the
  frequencies used and the switching and
  transmission capacity of the network.
• The distribution of network load across space is
  a key driver for cell site planning.
• Since coverage is a major issue, a large part of
  the network has spare capacity.
• The traffic distribution over time and the
  traffic distribution over space are
  interdependent.
• Pricing policies that focus on the distribution
  over time have to take the distribution over
  space into account and vice versa.

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Behaviour in time and space
Time
2-dimensional space
3-dimensional space time frame
Time geography analyses human behaviour in
context of space and time
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An individual is characterised by its patterns of
activity in time and space
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Analysing time geography

• Individuals can be characterised by their
  activity patterns over time and in space within
  the context of time geography.
• Research has shown that there are typical path in
  time and space that characterise groups of
  individuals.
• This space-time path is relatively stable for
  groups of individuals over the years.
• In many cases, it is determined by the purposes
  of every day life.
• Because of the relationship with the patterns of
  living and lifestyles, the patterns are difficult
  to change.

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Time geography and usage of mobiles
The location and time of the usage of mobile
phones has to be understood in the context of the
space-time paths of the mobile user. Peak and
off peak usage are determined by

• the point in time of the communication
• the location of the communication
• the availability of communication devices at that
  time and location
• the purpose of communication
• the situative context the mobile user is in.

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Geographic Information Systems
Components of GIS
How does GIS work?
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Analysing mobile customer behaviour with GIS
Assumptions on individual behaviour are combined
to probabilities of being at at certain location
at a certain time and a probability to
communicate there
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Market size and Market share
Social geography of a city at a certain time
Network usage at a certain time
Comparing the density and number of people and
the number of mobile calls can give an indication
of locations and times where mobile usage can be
extended
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Explaining usage patterns
Certain locations on the time space path are
associated with certain activities. These are
more or less related to the usage of mobiles (in
a restaurant, while shopping). Usage during
specific activities needs to be stimulated in
order to shift traffic or stimulate additional
usage.
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Data collection

• Communications diaries are extensive but
  expensive research. The coverage of all mobility
  and communication activities in a diary can not
  be expected.
• In depth interviews with representative customers
  of certain life style groups can help build
  typical space time paths which are compared to
  actual network usage.
• Expected customer behaviour can be compared to
  actual network usage to highlight differences and
  deficiencies of the understanding of current
  mobile usage, especially with changing customer
  focus or customer behaviour.
• Desk research may provide for general data on
  location of individuals over time.

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Understanding time geography of mobile users

• Segmenting customers according to their
  lifestyles and mobility
• Peak and off peak pricing
• Promotional pricing and advertisement
• Forecasting usage
• Network planning
• Evaluating the effect of addressing new market
  segments