Assessing Quality of Service in Cellular Networks: Effects of Altitude and Weather Conditions in Dehradun, Uttarakhand

This study investigates the Quality of Service (QoS) in cellular networks within Dehradun, Uttarakhand, focusing on the impacts of altitude, seasonal weather patterns, and environmental factors. Dehradun’s unique topography, encompassing urban, rural, and high-altitude forested regions, introduces significant variability in network performance metrics, particularly Received Signal Level (RSL), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), propagation delay, and throughput. The study applies both empirical measurements and established models, such as the ITU-R P.530-18 for rain attenuation and the Free Space Path Loss (FSL) model, to analyze how these conditions influence network reliability and connectivity.Results indicate that altitude substantially affects signal strength, with increased path loss and multipath fading observed at higher elevations, especially in dense vegetation areas. Rain-induced attenuation emerges as a major factor during monsoon months, with rainfall rates above 100 mm/h significantly lowering RSL and SNR, leading to degraded connectivity and higher packet loss. Additionally, elevated humidity and temperature levels in summer contribute to thermal noise and increased propagation delay, exacerbating QoS degradation.Based on these findings, we recommend adaptive network strategies, including power control, additional cell towers in high-impact areas, and frequency diversity to enhance network resilience. Future work could involve real-time weather data integration and machine learning models for dynamic network optimization. This research provides valuable insights into environmental impacts on cellular networks, supporting improved QoS management in regions with similar climatic and topographic conditions.