Hola España! Let’s analyze the connectivity gap between rural and urban areas
MedUX to conduct nationwide quality measurements following the awarding of the CNMC contract in Spain
In a strategic step towards improving telecommunications quality in Spain, MedUX has been selected by the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) to carry out an ambitious nationwide Drive Testing campaign. This project is key to evaluating Quality of Experience (QoE), service quality, and connectivity across the mobile networks of Spain’s main operators.
A key project for monitoring mobile networks in rural areas
The CNMC is working on updating and improving the information on the quality of electronic communication services currently published by the operators and the Ministry in Spain.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to produce a biennial study on mobile service quality in rural and sparsely populated areas, comparing it to the quality of services in the rest of Spain.
This study, driven by the CNMC in accordance with Article 69 of the General Telecommunications Law, aims to assess whether services provided by Telefónica, Orange, and Vodafone show significant geographical differences and, if so, to provide objective data to enhance digital equity across the country.
The MedUX Solution: Accuracy, Innovation, and Reliability
Drive Testing is an advanced methodology that enables the collection of detailed data on network performance through vehicles equipped with measurement probes. MedUX’s proposed solution stands out for:
- Nationwide coverage: Measurements in 984 municipalities, covering 343 urban and 641 rural areas.
- Cutting-edge technology: Use of active measurement probes capable of testing 5G technologies.
- Simulation of real user experience: Evaluation of key services such as video streaming, web browsing, and voice calls.
- High reliability and representativeness: The methodology established by the CNMC will be used to ensure the results are representative and statistically robust.
Technical Details of MedUX’s Drive Test Proposal
The goal of the project is to collect quality parameters of telecommunications networks as experienced by end users in rural and sparsely populated areas, and compare them with the average service quality offered to users in the rest of the country.
To ensure precise and comprehensive measurements, MedUX will deploy active probes capable of evaluating mobile network technologies including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G across various frequency bands. These probes are installed in rooftop enclosures on measurement vehicles, allowing the capture of radio and quality parameters that accurately reflect the real-world experience of end users.
Technical Parameters Evaluated and Their Meaning
MedUX will carry out a comparative measurement campaign following the methodology approved by the CNMC. After two public consultations, which gathered input on the best approach to assess the quality of telecom services in Spain, the measurement parameters to be used in the study were defined, ensuring transparency and analytical rigor.
- Downlink Speed: Measures how quickly data can be received from the network to the user.
- Uplink Speed: Measures how fast data can be sent from the user to the network.
- Latency (Round Trip Time - RTT): The time it takes for a data packet to travel from the device to the server and back.
- Jitter: The variation in latency, crucial for real-time services like VoIP calls and online gaming.
- Packet Loss: The percentage of data packets that fail to reach their destination, affecting transmission quality.
- Coverage and Signal Quality Levels:
- RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) and RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality): Used to assess signal strength and quality for 4G and 5G technologies.
- SINR (Signal to Interference & Noise Ratio): Measures the signal-to-noise ratio.
Therefore, both the level of coverage and its quality—including the signal-to-noise ratio—will be measured in these areas.Additionally, basic and traditional service quality parameters will be collected, testing upload and download speeds, latency or ping, jitter (variation), and packet loss.
Quality of User Experience Tests and Metrics
To understand what users actually experience over the mobile network, the quality of data services will be analyzed using real applications and services, as well as testing voice over mobile networks. For example, streaming from commonly used platforms and web browsing experiences will be assessed by accessing the most visited websites across six categories in Spain, which currently include YouTube, RTVEPlay, google.com, youtube.com, marca.com, elmundo.es, amazon.es, and wikipedia.org.
The MedUX study will measure real user experience with tests such as:
- Video Streaming (YouTube and RTVE Play): Evaluating playback quality, loading times, and video stability.
- Web Browsing: Measuring loading times of popular websites such as google.com, youtube.com, marca.com, elmundo.es, amazon.es, and wikipedia.org.
- Voice Call Tests: Verifying call failure rates, call setup times, and dropped calls.
The awarding of this project reinforces MedUX’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility initiative, #MedUXImpact, which is focused on contributing to inclusive, high-quality connectivity in all communities, especially the most vulnerable ones. This project will help identify and address disparities in access to mobile services, with a strong emphasis on reducing the digital divide between rural and urban areas.
Luis Molina, CEO of MedUX, states:
"This contract is a great opportunity to demonstrate our ability to deliver accurate and detailed insights that contribute to improving connectivity in Spain. Our commitment is to ensure that all citizens, regardless of location, have access to high-quality mobile service."
With this project, MedUX reaffirms its commitment to enhancing the digital experience in Spain and continues to lead innovation in network monitoring on a global scale.
Conclusions
MedUX’s commitment to this project highlights the company’s capability and determination to lead technological initiatives that have a positive national impact, improving connectivity and the quality of life for users. With a solution designed to deliver accurate, representative, and real-time data, MedUX strengthens its position as a key partner for operators, regulators, and governments.
This effort not only supports the CNMC’s mission to promote high-quality mobile service, but also contributes to the development of a stronger and more inclusive digital infrastructure in Spain—bringing us one step closer to a future where high-quality connectivity is a reality for everyone.
About MedUX
At MedUX, we provide tools that help telecommunications regulators ensure that operators comply with Quality of Experience (QoE) and Quality of Service (QoS) standards for fixed, mobile, and digital services—based on real end-user data and insights. MedUX delivers a comprehensive view of the state and quality of digital services, as well as how they are perceived by end users.
MedUX offers innovative solutions for the telecommunications industry to tackle new challenges, enabling our clients to assess the quality of services provided, empower users, and meet regulatory requirements. If you'd like to learn more about our solutions, feel free to contact us at hello@medux.com.
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