First impressions on the state of cellular data connectivity in India

Cellular penetration in India has grown tremendously in recent years and provides an opportunity to bridge the digital divide. However, there is little understanding of the state of cellular data connectivity in India. In this paper, we present first impressions on cellular data network performance in India. We present a measurement framework designed specifically for remote deployments and intermittent connectivity. Using this framework we evaluate three GSM based and one CDMA based cellular service providers through active measurements conducted at five rural, one semi-urban, and one urban locations. Through analysis of about 450 hours of measurement data collected over a 3-month period, we present the throughput and latency performance of cellular service providers and provide insights into the architecture of the service provider networks. Our analysis reveals aspects in cellular network design that interfere with standard protocols such as TCP, and suggests ways to improve performance.

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