Mobile Network Experience in Forest Research and Conservation Areas

Abstract

The availability of mobile network connections in conservation forest areas is very important for institutions in the forestry sector for research, development, and technological innovation on biodiversity. This study aims to evaluate the mobile network experience in forest conservation areas for the research needs, development, and technological innovation in forestry. This study aims to evaluate the availability of mobile networks in the research plot forest in the Henry Bastaman track, Joko Mulyono track, and the Wartono Kadri track in the conservation forest area Samboja, East Borneo. The measurement method uses a drive-test operator benchmarking approach to measure network parameters such as downlink, uplink, browser-web, and video streaming. Evaluation results are obtained based on the key performance parameter Quality of Service Experience (QoSE) multimedia network (ITU-T G.1010) for web browsing, download and upload, and video streaming experiences in poor network availability categories. The research contribution shows that the main factor of network failure in forest areas due to the influence of NLOS is related to the geographical condition of the forest (tree cover, hilly areas). In addition, there are limitations to infrastructure networks such as Base Transceiver Station (BTS).