Congestion Control Mechanisms and Patterns of Call Distribution in GSM Telecommunication Networks: The Case of MTN Nigeria

Congestion remains a major challenge to telecommunications service provision both to the service providers as well as the subscribers. We attempted to determine the causes of congestion and evaluated congestion control mechanisms adopted by service providers in Nigeria using MTN Nigeria as a case study. A survey research design methodology using stratified random sampling technique was employed for selecting six states out of 36 states in Nigeria that formed the target population. Automated data from MTN’s data logging machine was the main data collected and supplemented by unstructured interview. Six research questions were stated and tested in line with the set objectives. Data analysis was done using MS Excel and results presented using descriptive statistics. Findings from the study showed that apart from the carrying capacity of the MTN network other factors such as the use of phones for data transfer and multimedia activities contributes to traffic congestion on the network. Other external factors such as vandalization of network equipments, weather and high rise buildings also contributes negatively in varying degrees to service sustainability. Recommendations were made based on these findings. Keywords, ISDN, QOS, Transceiver Station, Mobile Switching Station & Base Station Subsystem