Diagnosing channel issues using GTP protocol messages in LTE core networks

For some time now the volume of data traffic in Mobile Telecommunications Networks has far outweighed voice traffic and most users are more concerned about the quality of their data connection than their voice calls. Adequate traffic service requires analysis of traffic flows to identify network issues affecting users' services. This can be achieved by placing network analytics probes throughout the network, but it would be better to have a small number of probes at just key locations in the Mobile Core Network. We show how to use core network traffic analysis to identify which user owns and which base station hosts each traffic flow, particularly where users and their connected traffic flows may dynamically switch between base stations or radio technologies.