The introduction of third generation (3G) public wireless network infrastructures, such as the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), enable the development of innovative mobile services. For example, deploying m-health services which embed tele-monitoring and tele-treatment services become feasible with the role-out of 3G networks. These services allow healthcare professionals to monitor a mobile patient's vital signs and provide feedback to this patient anywhere and any time. The performance of m-health services perceived by end-users depends on the serviceableness of 3G networks to support these services. Hence, the performance of 3G networks is a critical factor for successful development of m-health services. In this paper, we present a methodology for measurements-based performance assessment of 3G networks that aim to support m-health services. This methodology has been applied to evaluate end-user perceived service performance, in relation to the performance (i.e. serviceableness) of a 3G network. In addition, we analyse the measurements with the purpose to improve the end-to-end delay characteristics of the tele-monitoring service as well as optimize the (derived) goodput behaviour of this 3G network. Our results show that the goodput behaviour is asymmetric and depends on a bearer assignment policy of the network. Based on our results we provide guidelines for the design of application protocols for m-health services and how these protocols deal with the changing performance behaviour of 3G networks.
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