5G Performance: A Multidimensional Variability Analysis

5G Performance: A Multidimensional Variability Analysis

연구 분야: Networking

학회: International Conference on Passive and Active Network Measurement

5G networks have been broadly touted as a revolution in cellular performance. However, these networks have significant architectural, spectrum and physical layer options, such that the delivered performance can be variable. The disparity in smartphone hardware and software platforms adds another layer of performance uncertainty. Our goal in this work is to characterize the impact of these features on 5G performance. To do so, we analyze a dataset of nearly 1.75 million crowdsourced Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® cellular network measurements over three years and eight U.S. cities. We employ a novel approach by grouping Speedtest results based on both performance metrics and their deviation, while also accounting for spatial distribution and frequency band characteristics. By using statistical distance measures, we quantify the impact of multiple PHY layer and device-specific features across these multidimensional groups. We complement our in-the-wild analysis with a controlled study to validate our findings. We observe that PHY layer parameters, such as channel quality index and signal strength are the primary drivers of performance variability within each frequency range. However, between frequency ranges, user equipment hardware emerges as the dominant factor, highlighting that the equipments themselves play a critical role in determining whether users can fully utilize 5G capabilities. This underscores the importance of advancing device hardware to keep pace with the rapid evolution of network technologies.