Mobile Coverage Surveying

Leaning on our 28 years of experience solving coverage issues in remote and regional Australia, Powertec’s Software Engineering team have developed the Powertec National Coverage Model, which is available exclusively to our clients.

The National Coverage Model (NCM) provides an interactive coverage map of Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone-TPG 4G and 5G networks accurate to 15 metres across the entire country. NCM provides a number of layers which can be toggled to provide a visual representation of key performance metrics of a cellular network. For example, layers are provided for Signal Strength (RSRP), Mobile Data Speed (Peak Data Rate), Tower Coverage (Best Serving Sector), Frequency Band, among others.With our algorithms tuned from thousands of kilometres of drive-testing, our engineers use this model to accurately survey and plan out 4G-5G technology solutions anywhere in the country.

NCM allows Powertec to provide batch-analysis of thousands of sites simultaneously, allowing your team to access accurate predictions of 4G-5G signal or device performance, in many cases avoiding the need for a physical technician visit entirely.

A CSV output file lists network characteristics such as the best serving base station, signal strength, quality, and data speed, along with installation parameters such as antenna azimuth and tilt.

Planning out site communications can be a major headache for IT departments. Powertec can produce detailed PDF reports for each site, with our RF team performing a thorough personalised investigation of network performance and recommendation of associated equipment to mitigate any identified challenges.

Reports can help not only address performance at a specific location, but more broadly assess performance in a given area to help planning of site office positioning, and site-wide communications.