Understanding Regional Differences in Telecom Demand Through Mobility Data
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17765333Keywords:
COVID-19, mobility data, telecommunications, regional differences, mobile data usageAbstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered human mobility patterns, with wide-ranging implications for various sectors, including telecommunications. This study investigates regional differences in mobility trends between Istanbul and Kayseri in 2020, using Google's COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports. By analyzing monthly mobility changes across six categories—workplaces, retail and recreation, transit stations, residential, grocery and pharmacy, and parks—we aim to uncover behavioral shifts and their potential influence on telecommunication demand.The findings reveal distinct variations between the two cities. Istanbul, as a larger metropolitan hub, exhibited sharper declines in workplace and transit station mobility during lockdown periods, while Kayseri showed relatively moderate changes. Conversely, increases in residential mobility were more pronounced in Istanbul, indicating a higher potential demand for fixed internet and digital services. Park mobility spiked significantly in both cities during mid-2020, hinting at the public's response to social restrictions.These regional mobility differences offer valuable insights for telecom providers aiming to optimize network infrastructure and service delivery. The study underscores the importance of integrating mobility data into regional telecom demand forecasting, particularly during periods of societal disruption.
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