Nielsen to Track Indian Mobile Networks

Nielsen has launched a new service to benchmark the quality of mobile phone networks across 39 markets in India.

Developed in collaboration with telecom technology firm Sasken, the new 'Nielsen Consumer Experience Mobile Test' service will validate the quality of voice and data networks and provide Indian carriers, infrastructure providers and other wireless businesses with coverage and call performance metrics at both an industry and carrier level.

In addition to validating network quality, the firm says this test data can also be integrated with its consumer research and carrier data to help the industry allocate capital and operating expenditures more efficiently.

Telecoms firms Reliance Communications and BSNL are currently testing the service, which Nielsen eventually intends to roll out in other countries.

Nielsen Executive Director of South Asia Business Development, Shankari Panchapakesan, said that as one of the largest and fastest growing mobile markets in the world, India was a 'sensible choice' to be the first country outside of North America to participate in the drive-testing program.

'Network quality is critical to overall satisfaction and subscriber loyalty,' said Arun Sur, Head of Network at Reliance Communications. 'As we continually strive to improve the reliability of our networks, the launch of this new measurement tool will enable us to accurately assess mobile network performance, which will go a long way in maintaining customer relations.'

Web sites: www.nielsen.com and www.sasken.com .

Last month, Nielsen launched Mobile-PRIZM, a new product that combines the company's consumer segmentation and mobile media targeting tools.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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