User quality of service perception in 3G mobile networks

UMTS reflects the latest technical and standardisation efforts to realise and deploy a QoS-enabled mobile network infrastructure that can support QoS-dependent services and applications. The next challenge, therefore, is how to use and configure the network efficiently in a way which meets user expectation while conserving network resources. In order to achieve that, it is important to have qualitative information on how different QoS levels are perceived by the user. The network operator/service provider should be aware of the point at which the user. perceives the effect of QoS fluctuation, performing a reasoned and accurate dimensioning of the network. Many subjective studies have already been undertaken for conversational and streaming services, whereas we focus on the analysis of user QoS perception in the context of mobile, interactive services, specifically Internet access, Web browsing, and messaging.