Analysis of Telecommunication Service Mast Distribution in Minna, Niger State Using Geospatial Technique

Abstract

Since the embrace of telecommunication in Nigeria, the number of subscribers has tremendously increased and the independence on telecommunication has grown, cutting across all professions to all man's day-to-day activity. The high rate of growth has led to high pressure on the telecommunication facilities, leading to poor network coverage. The increasing number of subscribers and high dependence of everyone on telecommunication for man's day-to-day activity require that research be made into investigating ways to totally eliminate or minimize poor network coverage within the study area. Over the years, researchers from different fields have looked into this problem with attempts to help solve this problem and they most times tend to get stuck with topographic problems. This research tends to look into analysis of telecommunication mass distribution using geospatial techniques in Minna Metropolis. The aim of the research is to analyze the spatial location (X,Y,Z) of telecommunication mast in Minna metropolis in view of enhancing performance efficiency of telecommunication services in the metropolis. The parameter of the mast was acquired from telecommunication company and Street guide map of the metropolis updated with the mast location was used to locate the mass and trigonometric leveling of inaccessible points was used in getting the height of the mast. The geospatial analysts tool used was view-shed analysis. Incorporating buffer analysis, this was overlaid on the street guide map an A digital elevation model. The view-shed analysis was used to assess the effects on topography on the network coverage, while the buffer analysis was used to depict the range of network coverage. The result showed that, the distribution pattern is based on population density and concentrated commercial centres and areas where income per head is high. It also reveals that, masts were well distributed for good 2G network, but poor network coverage is still seen due to topographic obstruction. The study also revealed that. Facilities were poorly distributed for good 3G coverage at fringe of the metropolis. It was discovered that topography has effect on the network coverage as topographic features tend to obstruct the line of sight of signal from mast. It produces better visibility and signal reception than on lowlands in line of sight and view-Shed analysis. It was also discovered that in places where mast were well distributed and poor network is still seen, increasing the height of the mast could help in solving the problem. The work recommends that telecommunication mast must be placed in high peaks where the line of sight would not be obstructed. Also, LIDAR and UAV generated digital elevation models can be used for analysis in order to obtain better accuracy. The research recommend that this can be used for decision making by telecommunication companies for mass installation, and it can also serve as forehand information for businessmen regarding where to establish businesses related to telecommunication and location.