Benchmark Study Shows Comparison Results on 5G Network Slicing for First Responder Communications

The benchmark study was conducted on behalf of T-Mobile USA, to characterize the performance of the three networks and the three First Responder services and to understand how its newly-launched T-Priority service compared with its peers.

Signals Research Group - SRG just finished an industry-first benchmark study of the three First Responder services (FirstNet, Built with AT&T, Verizon Frontline and T-Priority), as well as three commercial networks (AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon) in the New York City metropolitan area.

The company compiled the study with the engineering support and test equipment from Rohde & Schwarz, who has been a valuable partner of SRG for the last two decades

The benchmark study was conducted on behalf of T-Mobile USA, to characterize the performance of the three networks and the three First Responder services and to understand how its newly-launched T-Priority service compared with its peers.

The study was novel in a number of ways. In addition to objectively compare the three First Responder services (an industry first), it was an opportunity to see 5G network slicing in action (another industry first), the performance differences between 5G SA, EN-DC and LTE, as well as the relative merits of VoNR versus legacy VoLTE (been there, done that, but nice to do again).

The results show that T-Priority scores the best for overall network experience (788 points out of a possible 1,000 points), as well as having the best score for overall data experience. Additionally, the T-Priority service scores the best for data reliability, and it had the highest score for the fastest data service, which is based on data speeds involving both downloads and uploads. The data experience score includes tests involving downlink/uplink throughput, downlink/uplink file transfers, web browsing, and video. Data reliability includes success rates involving downlink/uplink file transfers, HTTP browsing, video, and social media posts.

SRG used the R&S NPS (Network Performance Score) 2.0 framework, which adheres to the ETSI TR 103 559 technical recommendations for evaluating the user experience in mobile networks. In total, the test campaign covered 1,110 miles around NYC, weighting those precincts which have higher First Responder activity, and included more than 27,500 data sessions and nearly 3,000 voice calls on each network.

SRG will be releasing a more detailed report in the coming days which presents these results in more detail.