Geographic Assessment of Telecommunication Signals in a Mining Community: A Case Study of Tarkwa and its Environs

Cynthia Borkai Boye, Nana Kwabena Kodie, Michael Stanley Pepra

Abstract


Millicom Ghana Limited is one of the leading telecommunication network companies in Ghana whose core vision is to be the best service provider in the urban/rural areas. However, Tigo experienced a reduction in their monthly growth assessment in both voice and data subscriptions in 2016. To curb the dwindling subscriptions, it has become necessary to investigate the actual quality of signal strength available to customers of Tigo in spatial context, and to make recommendation for improvement. Primary and secondary datasets were used for the study. The field data comprises of mobile phones signal strength measured at systematically sampled locations whose coordinates were measured with handheld GPS receivers. Digital Elevation Model of Tarkwa and its environs, coordinates of cell towers and georeferenced image of Tarkwa and its environs were also used. Buffer analysis was performed to determine the area coverage of the mounted cell towers. Viewshed analysis was done to determine the visibility of cell towers in the study areas. Through the process of interpolation and overlay analysis, a signal strength map of the study area was generated. Results obtained showed varying degree of signal strengths in the study area with low signals predominant in Akyempim and some portions of Nsuta and New Atuabo while cash zone areas (areas with higher signals) were found to be predominant in Tarkwa, Tamso and some portions of New Atuabo. Based on the results, it was recommended that, Tigo management should plan an extension of cell towers in Akyempim, New Atuabo and Nsuta to improve signal transmission and quality service to customers. 


Keywords


Telecommunication Signals, GIS, Viewshed Analysis, Digital Elevation Model

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