Análise de desempenho da rede 4G/LTE no campus da UFC Russas

Abstract

High-performance mobile connectivity has become a fundamental requirement in academic environments; however, the Quality of Service (QoS) perceived by end-users often diverges from the nominal parameters of 4G/LTE technology. Factors such as cell saturation due to user density and signal attenuation caused by architectural barriers pose significant challenges to network infrastructure. This work presents a characterization and comparative analysis of the performance of Claro and Vivo mobile carriers at the Federal University of Ceará, Russas campus. Adopting a quantitative and systematic methodological approach, 1152 samples were collected and processed over two months, covering six strategic zones and different network load profiles. Evaluation metrics included RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality), and download throughput. The results revealed a distinct technical trade-off between peak capacity and operational resilience: Claro demonstrated superior speed (peaks up to 45 Mbps) in line-of-sight scenarios but suffered critical degradation in confined environments, recording 35 disconnections in Block 1. In contrast, Vivo showed greater consistency and indoor penetration, maintaining stable connectivity across all zones despite more conservative maximum speeds (28 Mbps). Temporal analysis confirmed Claro’s high sensitivity to campus occupancy (correlation r = −0.72), indicating saturation during peak hours, a phenomenon less significant for Vivo (r = −0.31). This study provides a robust empirical diagnosis, offering guidelines for university infrastructure management and assisting in user decision-making.