End-to-end delay analysis of WeChat video call service in live DC-HSPA+ network

Mobile Network Operators around the world are improving their 3G/UMTS (Third Generation/Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) network by introducing DC-HSPA+ (Dual-Carrier Evolved High Speed Packet Access). However, it has remained unclear how well the current networks fulfill the commitments of performance guarantee of OTT (over-the-top) services. In this paper, a field test platform called OTTCAP (OTT Services Capture and Analyze Platform) is developed for capturing and analyzing QoS (Quality of Service) and QoE (Quality of Experience) parameters of OTT services in live DC-HSPA+ networks, including Network-Level QoS parameters, terminal parameters and OTA (over the air) log information. With the aid of OTTCAP, End-to-End delay behavior of WeChat video call service is compared and analyzed under three typical scenarios. Results, methods and tools of this paper can be used by operators and OTT services providers for network and service optimization.