May 20168 Dropped Calls Killed the Digital RevolutionBy Daniel Dribinski, CTO & Founder, CellwizeEstablished in 2012, Cellwize develops and delivers innovative Self-Organizing Network (SON) solutions across vendors and wireless technologies that improve network performance and maximize user value for mobile operators throughout Europe, LATAM, and APAC.Mobile networks are playing a major key role in the digital rev-olution, particularly in developing countries. Asia Pacific is no exception. This region already accounts for half of the world's unique subscribers and connections and is expected to add 600 million new subscribers by 2020. However, when it comes to network performance there is a wide gap between countries. According to Ookla's Net Index, while mobile data in New Zealand and China zooms along at an average of 27.7 and 27.6 Mbps respectively, people in Vietnam are staring at blank white pages on their smartphones as data trickles out at just 1.9 Mbps.Poor network performance is resulting in subscriber frustration and can sabotage the economic growth that is expected as a result of improved connectivity. The cost and time required to add enough infrastructure just to keep up with demand may be too little and too late, even without taking into account: expanding services to new subscribers.Consumers Demand Quality of ExperienceFor example, in India, where connectivity issues have become a national obsession. In the past decade, nearly one billion people have been connected to wireless phone services as part of India's mobile communications revolution, making it the second-largest mobile phone market in the world. Most recently there was a launch of the cheapest smartphone in India, and indeed the world, the Freedom 251 was designed to make smartphones available to everyone.However, along with rapidly increasing number of users, came the network quality problems, making dropped calls a burning issue. Last summer, the government-run national consumer complaints help-line reported that dropped calls ranked at the top of the list. The issue was the cover story of a national news magazine in July. And a TV station has launched a social media campaign called #NoCallDrops.At the same time, India is one of the most competitive markets, with 14 different mobile operators to choose from. Operators are competing to provide a positive quality of experience for increased referrals, lasting customer loyalty, reduced churn, and last but not least increased revenues. As network performance becomes a key differentiator, being able to measure, monitor, and improve problem spots could become the critical factor that will decide Daniel DribinskiIN MY VIEW
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