Effect of signal strength on handover in GSM networks in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

A major element in Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) system is the splitting of the system into cells to enhance frequency reuse and efficient coverage. As the mobile station moves from the coverage area of one cell to another, the first connection is broken and a new one is made without any interruption in service, in a process called handover. If this critical process is performed incorrectly handover can result in loss of the call. All the Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) of the four providers of GSM service in Owo were located on the physical map of Owo town in Ondo State, Nigeria and coverage of each network provider was investigated. GSM signal strength analyzer was used for measuring and monitoring the received signal strength and Bit Error Rate (BER) from each BTS at six geographical locations in the town for a period of time. The effect of signal strength on handover decisions between cells within the same Base Station Controller (BSC) of same networks in Owo was assessed for each provider.