IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Engineering and Modern Technology (IJEMT )

E-ISSN 2504-8848
P-ISSN 2695-2149
VOL. 11 NO. 5 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijemt.vol.11.no5.2025.pg11.31

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Weather Components and Network Signal Strength: An analysis of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Geku Diton, Okafor, Joyce Odu

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Abstract

This study investigates the impact of weather components—atmospheric temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure—on mobile network signal strength across four major providers (9Mobile, Airtel, MTN, and Glo) in Biogbolo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined real-time field measurements using the Drive Test (DT) method with meteorological data analysis to evaluate signal performance under varying weather conditions. Findings revealed a consistent improvement in signal strength with increasing temperature, humidity, and pressure, though provider- specific variations were observed. For instance, while Airtel and Glo exhibited steady signal enhancement (up to 35dBm) across all weather extremes, 9Mobile showed degradation beyond 306K, indicating infrastructure-specific thresholds. Notably, higher humidity, contrary to some existing literature, enhanced signal quality, likely due to localized network optimizations for coastal microclimates. The study also identified a strong positive correlation (r > 0.95) between atmospheric pressure and signal performance, aligning with theoretical models like the Integrated Tropical Propagation Model (ITPM) but highlighting operational disparities among providers. These results challenge temperate-region propagation models, emphasizing the need for hyperlocal adaptations in tropical coastal areas. Practical implications include recommendations for adaptive network management, such as temperature-resilient base stations, humidity-aware frequency allocation, and pressure-compensation algorithms. For regulators, the study advocates weather-resilience standards and infrastructure-sharing frameworks to mitigate service disruptions. By bridging gaps in localized empirical research, this work contributes to climate-resilient telecommunications planning in the Niger Delta and similar regions, offering actionable insights for stakeholders

keywords:

Mobile network signal strength, weather components, tropical propagation, coastal microclimate, adaptive network management.

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