Abstract: A method of operating a user equipment configured for use with a communications network is provided. The method comprises measuring a network performance characteristic associated with a measurement period, and identifying, using historical data, an application on the UE responsible for transmitting data to, and/or receiving data from, the communication network in the measurement period. The identity of the identified application is then associated with the network performance characteristic.

Abstract: A method of assessing latency in a communications network comprising attempting to contact from a UE in a cellular network a specific internet resource with a HTTP request addressed to the resource and capturing data specifying the period between making the attempt and receiving at the UE from the resource a response to the request. Thus, data can be obtained from which can be made an end-to-end measurement of the latency affecting a user of a UE. Such measurements can be used by the operator of the communications network to, amongst other things, assess whether the network is performing satisfactorily, to advise users about the performance of the network and, determine that hardware or software within the network needs repair, upgrade, or augmentation.

Abstract: A method of assessing latency in a communications network comprising attempting to contact from a UE in a cellular network a specific internet resource with a HTTP request addressed to the resource, and capturing data specifying the period between making the attempt and receiving at the UE from the resource a response to the request. Thus data can be obtained from which can be made an end-to-end measurement of the latency affecting a user of a UE. Such measurements can be used by the operator of the communications network to, amongst other things, assess whether the network is performing satisfactorily, to advise users about the performance of the network and to determine that hardware or software within the network needs repair, upgrade or augmentation.

Abstract: A method of identifying faults in a utility supply network is disclosed. The method comprises identifying a first indication of a fault in the communications network based on a number of network performance queries received from users of user equipments (UEs) connected to the communications network within a first region of the communications network. The method further comprises identifying a second indication of a fault in the communications network based on network performance data associated with the first region. It is determined that a fault exists in the communications network based on identification of the first indication and the second indication.

Abstract: A method of operating a user equipment configured for use with a communications network is provided. The method comprises measuring a network performance characteristic associated with a measurement period, and identifying, using historical data, an application on the UE responsible for transmitting data to, and/or receiving data from, the communication network in the measurement period. The identity of the identified application is then associated with the network performance characteristic.

Abstract: A method of identifying faults in a utility supply network is disclosed. The method comprises identifying a first indication of a fault in the communications network based on a number of network performance queries received from users of user equipments (UEs) connected to the communications network within a first region of the communications network. The method further comprises identifying a second indication of a fault in the communications network based on network performance data associated with the first region. It is determined that a fault exists in the communications network based on identification of the first indication and the second indication.

Abstract: A network monitoring system is provided for monitoring performance of a utility supply network. The system comprises an asynchronous subsystem configured to receive scheduled measurements of network performance characteristics from a plurality of user equipments (UEs) connected to the network, and to store the scheduled measurements in a database. The system also comprises a synchronous subsystem configured to receive triggered measurements of network performance characteristics from at least one UE connected to the network, and to store the triggered performance measurements in the database. To be accompanied, when published, by FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Abstract: The network monitoring tool comprises an input for receiving data about the performance of the network and a data processor for analysing the data in order to produce an output. The output is at least one of the identification of a fault in the network and the derivation of information about the capability of the network to supply the utility.

Abstract: A method of assessing latency in a communications network comprising attempting to contact from a UE in a cellular network a specific internet resource with a HTTP request addressed to the resource, and capturing data specifying the period between making the attempt and receiving at the UE from the resource a response to the request. Thus data can be obtained from which can be made an end-to-end measurement of the latency affecting a user of a UE. Such measurements can be used by the operator of the communications network to, amongst other things, assess whether the network is performing satisfactorily, to advise users about the performance of the network and to determine that hardware or software within the network needs repair, upgrade or augmentation.

Abstract: A monitoring tool receiving a plurality of queries about the performance of a network, each query being a query about the performance of the network in a respective location. The tool groups queries that exhibit a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to one another. The locations of the queries in the group define a zone. If the number exceeds a threshold, then the zone warrants inspection and/or queries about network performance in the zone can be met with an indication that there appears to be a fault affecting the zone. Alternatively, the tool compares a plurality of stored areas, each area corresponding to a different time period and delimited by a boundary formed around the locations to which a plurality of network performance queries, in the respective time period, relate.

Abstract: A monitoring tool receiving a plurality of queries about the performance of a network, each query being a query about the performance of the network in a respective location. The tool groups queries that exhibit a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to one another. The locations of the queries in the group define a zone. If the number exceeds a threshold, then the zone warrants inspection and/or queries about network performance in the zone can be met with an indication that there appears to be a fault affecting the zone. Alternatively, the tool compares a plurality of stored areas, each area corresponding to a different time period and delimited by a boundary formed around the locations to which a plurality of network performance queries, in the respective time period, relate.

Abstract: The network monitoring tool comprises an input for receiving data about the performance of the network and a data processor for analysing the data in order to produce an output. The output is at least one of the identification of a fault in the network and the derivation of information about the capability of the network to supply the utility.