Users of broadband mobile networks, including enterprises such as corporations and governments, lack reliable, comparable data on which to base their assessment of network performance. Such data can be valuable to determine overall network quality and to pinpoint specific weaknesses, including limitations in deployment.
The IEEE 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless Access Standards is developing Project 802.16.3 (P802.16.3) on Mobile Broadband Network Performance Measurements. The resulting 802.16.3 standard will specify procedures for characterizing the performance of deployed mobile broadband networks from a user perspective. It will specify metrics and test procedures as well as communication protocols and data formats allowing a network-based server to coordinate and manage test operation and data collection. Ultimately, the standard will provide a framework for characterizing and assessing the performance of various mobile broadband networks.
About IEEE 802.16
The IEEE 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless Access Standards has developed and is enhancing the WirelessMAN® standards of IEEE 802.16 and 802.16.1 for wireless metropolitan area networks. It is also developing the IEEE P802.16.3 project on Mobile Broadband Network Performance Measurements. The IEEE 802.16 Working Group is a unit of the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee, the premier transnational forum for wired and wireless network standardization. A list of IEEE 802.16 standards and drafts is available on-line, as is an archive of previous Session Reports. The IEEE 802.16 Interactive Calendar includes sessions and deadlines.