Comparative analysis of 5G network performance at Thailand's premier shopping centers

Abstract

This paper evaluates 5G network performance across three well-known shopping malls in Bangkok: Icon Siam, Siam Paragon, and CentralWorld. The study focuses on assessing key quality of service (QoS) metrics, consisting of download (DL) speed, upload (UL) speed, and latency. Measurements were taken in various zones within each mall; including high, ground, and outdoor areas through field tests using two different mobile network operators (MNO-1 and MNO-2). The findings indicate noticeable differences in performance, with Icon Siam recording the highest average DL speed of 273.6 Mbps (MNO-1) and the outdoor zone at Siam Paragon having the lowest at 11.2 Mbps (MNO-2). While MNO-1 provided more stable UL speeds, MNO-2 showed greater variability. Latency results also highlighted MNO-1’s stronger network efficiency, often staying below 20 ms, apart from a slight increase in outdoor areas. Statistical analyses, using ANOVA and t-Test, revealed significant disparities in QoS parameters depending on location and MNO, with outdoor areas often underperforming. These results underline the importance of in-building distributed antenna systems (IB-DAS) and improved infrastructure for boosting 5G performance. Furthermore, this study offers insights that can be useful to improve network quality in high-traffic locations.