Uncovering mobile network infrastructure in Mexico using crowdsourced data

Abstract

It is known that access to mobile telecommunications, and through them to the Internet, can provide greater social well-being. Likewise, within the telecommunications sector there was a growing demand in the use and access to services. This generates the need for mobile operators to expand and increase the capacity of their telecommunications networks. In order to achieve this, it is important to analyze the strategies for increasing the capacity and coverage of the mobile infrastructure of the main mobile operators. A longitudinal analysis of the node density by geographic area was carried out at the municipal level. Likewise, the four main mobile operators with a network in Mexico were analyzed using crowdsourced data. Also, the data was filtered by LTE technology and a correspondence was made between the nodes and the frequency bands used by each operator. The operators' network capacity increase strategies and the percentage of use of the frequency bands assigned to each operator were analyzed. As a result, the main mobile network operators in Mexico have followed a similar coverage strategy. Likewise, in the analyzed data, a positive correlation was not found between node densification and the technological characteristics of the frequency bands. It is suggested to invest in new infrastructure for the deployment of new technologies, and to promote mobile coverage in rural areas. Finally, it is suggested to facilitate the leasing of bands on various frequencies that allow operators to take advantage of their technological characteristics; through costs that are aligned with the international market.