Spirent Solution Helps Mobile Operators Control LTE Smartphone Return Rates

­Spirent Communications today announced the launch of a new LTE Call Reliability test solution on its 8100 Test System. The company said that it has been validated by an unnamed North American wireless operator for immediate use in its acceptance testing of pre-launch devices.

A significant percentage of returns are attributable to subscribers who experience problems in daily use as a result of device performance shortcomings. Call reliability testing, often called “stress testing” is aimed at identifying issues that can cause returns before devices are commercially deployed. Unlike the standard conformance tests that pre-commercial devices must pass, call reliability testing replicates realistic user scenarios in which the device is used over long periods of time.

Call Reliability test scenarios include subjecting the device to repeat handover and call setup operations under challenging network conditions. The tests help to identify issues specific to a particular device model that can occur after a period of use, such as an inability to handover between LTE and legacy 3G technologies, or a device freeze that requires a hard reset.

“Spirent pioneered stress testing methodology for 3G device testing, which brought substantial value to wireless operators in helping them to control device return rates,” said Spirent Vice President Hesham ElHamahmy. “Our customers’ confidence in Spirent’s extension of this methodology into LTE device testing was reinforced when we uncovered significant issues with some popular commercially-available devices during validation of our LTE Call Reliability solution.”