ABSTRACT
Efficient Handover mechanism in a GSM network is one of the parameters critical to GSM network service quality (QoS) and customer satisfaction. Handover is the process that transfers an ongoing call from one cell to another as the users move through the coverage areas of the cellular systems. This research focuses on analyzing and optimizing intercell handover dynamics in Airtel Network in Kano. A three months call record sample data was used. Several cells in the Airtel Network in Kano were investigated by profiling and analysing their performance using standard mathematical relationships of Handover success rate, Call setup success rate, Blocking probability, Call drop rate which are relevant Key Performance Indicators. Data was obtained in Microsoft Excel format. Performance evaluation was carried out using Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) QoS standard for Macrocell as benchmark. The evaluation revealed that seventy two percent (72%) of cells considered performed below NCC targets for Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), sixty four (64%) failed to achieve NCC targets for Handover Success Rate (HSR) and sixty four percent (64%) failed to achieve Standalone Dedicated Control Channel blocking rates targets, twenty one percent (21%) failed to achieve congestion targets. Average call drop rate per cell was predicted to be six percent (6%). An optimal solution was provided using dynamic cutoff priority channel allocation scheme, this improves performance of handover dynamics when simulated. An object oriented simulation technique was employed using a JAVA variant NETBEANS 6.1 because of its moderate system resource requirement, fast and responsive user interface. The result showed that handover failure rate was reduced by an average of Ninety percent (90%) for varying loads. System validation was achieved by comparing the real and simulated load characteristics which have similarities. A correlation coefficient was calculated using MATLAB to be 0.9122.