Exploring 5G network performance: comparison of inner and outer city areas in Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

The advancement of 5G technology has transformed various aspects of life, including tourism, by enabling people worldwide to communicate and travel with ease. Traveling to different places and countries is now seamless, removing language barriers and facilitating easy access to information on culture, accommodation, and tourist attractions. Additionally, access to applications that facilitate quicker language translation further enhances the travel experience. Phetchaburi Province holds significant importance as a global tourist destination. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized Phetchaburi as a member of the UNESCO creative cities network (UCCN), comprising one of 49 cities worldwide acknowledged for their creative city initiatives. Phetchaburi Province stands as the 5th city in Thailand to receive this designation. This research investigated 5G performance in Phetchaburi Province, both the inner and outer city, focusing on download and upload speeds. The results indicate that there is widespread 5G coverage throughout Phetchaburi Province, including urban and rural areas, especially for the 5G network with a good performance provided by one of the mobile network operators (MNOs). In addition, the statistical analysis reveals differences in 5G performances between the inner city and the outer city of Phetchaburi Province, particularly for download speeds (p-value<0.001).