scope:

This Recommendation covers the following quality of service (QoS) aspects for popular services in mobile networks:

- Assessment of QoS

- Definition of QoS parameters and their computation

- Typical procedures for QoS measurement equipment

- Requirements for QoS measurement equipment

- Definition of typical measurement profiles

- Post processing and statistical methods

- Network based QoS measurements.

The Recommendation summarizes the basics of QoS, always seen from the user's perspective. Differences to quality of experience (QoE) are also discussed. In extension to generic definitions, specific definitions for this Recommendation are stated here. Furthermore, it gives guidance to assure that QoS assessments can be conducted in a meaningful way and proposes a corresponding process.

It defines QoS parameters and their computation for popular services in mobile networks. The parameter definition is split into several parts. It contains an abstract definition which gives a generic description of the parameter, an abstract equation and the corresponding user and technical trigger points. The harmonized definitions are considered as prerequisites for the comparison of QoS measurements and measurement results.

The Recommendation also describes the measurement procedures needed to perform the measurements of QoS parameters.

It defines the minimum requirements of QoS measurement equipment for mobile networks in the way that the values and trigger points needed to compute the QoS parameter can be measured following the procedures defined. Test equipment fulfilling the specified minimum requirements will allow performing the proposed measurements in a reliable and reproducible way.

Furthermore, the Recommendation specifies typical measurement profiles that are required to enable benchmarking of different mobile networks both within and outside national boundaries.

In addition, it describes procedures to be used for statistical calculations in the field of QoS measurement of mobile networks using probing systems.

Finally, the Recommendation describes how QoS measurements should be done inside the network without direct access to the end point terminal.