Is it possible to get a normal call quality when calling via 3G / 4G?
We are often contacted with questions regarding the quality of work of mobile clients, and complaints are not about the software itself, but about the quality of the conversation when connected via the network of mobile operators. To warn that this is not the best and not guaranteed channel is useless. So - the task is to test the channel of the mobile operator before connecting.
To assess the quality of the voice, qualitative assessments of the type good or bad are usually used, but in addition to the qualitative description, it is convenient enough to use quantitative methods to express the estimate in numerical form. Such an assessment exists and is called the Mean Opinion Score (MOS), an average speech intelligibility score. MOS gives a numerical representation of the quality of the transmitted media information after compression using codecs and transmission over communication channels.
It is expressed by a numerical value from 1 to 5, 1 - low quality and 5 - the best. MOS is a rather subjective assessment, as it is based on the perception of voice quality by people. However, there are applications that can measure MOS and such data is more objective.
Values do not have to be integers; they are usually expressed in decimal numbers. For example, a value from 4.0 to 4.5 corresponds to quite acceptable quality for PSTN and VoIP, if the service reaches this level it can be considered quite decent. Values below 3.5 are unacceptable to many users.
The second way to assess sound quality is the R-Factor. It has a more advanced scale from 0 to 120, which allows for a more accurate assessment. R-Factor is calculated taking into account the user experience and objective factors that affect the overall quality of the VoIP system, the network R-Factor and the user R-Factor are calculated separately.
It is logical that you need to find quality measurement tools for each of the platforms for which 3CX develops customers. These are Android, iOS and Windows (for now, let’s leave the MAC alone).
For those who are not familiar with 3CX Phone for Android - a short video.
We look at the state of the channel in principle through Speedtest.net
The first test subject - 10K downloads.
Tests the network from the device to some of its server.
Pros - no settings.
Cons - does not give recommendations on voice quality.
By the way, there is a very big discrepancy with speedtest.
Only 1 thousand downloads.
First you need to register on the PBX (in the profile we enter the server, username, password, port)
Testing is in 2 stages. The first is registration. For the second, you need to enter the extension number, the application will call him, pick up the phone and talk for a while. Based on this, there is a quality assessment.
There are several reports.
Voice quality
Used strip
Jitter
Despite the fact that neither the MOS nor the R-Factror application considers it, it does exactly what it needs - it watches the channel to our IP PBX.
500 downloads.
The application works specifically on our PBX, so first you need to enter the address and authentication data.
The first test checks for server availability, DNS records, and NAT type.
The second one tests all audio, UDP, TCP, TLS and other protocols
Total - a useful thing, but it does not measure what we are looking for.
Next, consider applications for iOS and Windows.
You can download 3CX Phone for Android on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tcx.sipphone12&hl=en
Please note that 3CX Phone only works with its own PBX 3CX Phone System for Windows .
Quality criteria
To assess the quality of the voice, qualitative assessments of the type good or bad are usually used, but in addition to the qualitative description, it is convenient enough to use quantitative methods to express the estimate in numerical form. Such an assessment exists and is called the Mean Opinion Score (MOS), an average speech intelligibility score. MOS gives a numerical representation of the quality of the transmitted media information after compression using codecs and transmission over communication channels.
It is expressed by a numerical value from 1 to 5, 1 - low quality and 5 - the best. MOS is a rather subjective assessment, as it is based on the perception of voice quality by people. However, there are applications that can measure MOS and such data is more objective.
Values do not have to be integers; they are usually expressed in decimal numbers. For example, a value from 4.0 to 4.5 corresponds to quite acceptable quality for PSTN and VoIP, if the service reaches this level it can be considered quite decent. Values below 3.5 are unacceptable to many users.
The second way to assess sound quality is the R-Factor. It has a more advanced scale from 0 to 120, which allows for a more accurate assessment. R-Factor is calculated taking into account the user experience and objective factors that affect the overall quality of the VoIP system, the network R-Factor and the user R-Factor are calculated separately.
It is logical that you need to find quality measurement tools for each of the platforms for which 3CX develops customers. These are Android, iOS and Windows (for now, let’s leave the MAC alone).
3CXPhone for Android
For those who are not familiar with 3CX Phone for Android - a short video.
We look at the state of the channel in principle through Speedtest.net
Voiptester: Network Test Tool
The first test subject - 10K downloads.
Tests the network from the device to some of its server.
Pros - no settings.
Cons - does not give recommendations on voice quality.
By the way, there is a very big discrepancy with speedtest.
Voip Tester free
Only 1 thousand downloads.
First you need to register on the PBX (in the profile we enter the server, username, password, port)
Testing is in 2 stages. The first is registration. For the second, you need to enter the extension number, the application will call him, pick up the phone and talk for a while. Based on this, there is a quality assessment.
There are several reports.
Voice quality
Used strip
Jitter
Despite the fact that neither the MOS nor the R-Factror application considers it, it does exactly what it needs - it watches the channel to our IP PBX.
SIP VoIP Checker
500 downloads.
The application works specifically on our PBX, so first you need to enter the address and authentication data.
The first test checks for server availability, DNS records, and NAT type.
The second one tests all audio, UDP, TCP, TLS and other protocols
Total - a useful thing, but it does not measure what we are looking for.
Next, consider applications for iOS and Windows.
You can download 3CX Phone for Android on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tcx.sipphone12&hl=en
Please note that 3CX Phone only works with its own PBX 3CX Phone System for Windows .