DATASETS
Network Coverage Maps
Network Coverage Maps assist during an ongoing crisis by showing where people on Facebook have cellular connectivity.
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Key Features
Coverage areas
We show network coverage areas for the relevant polygons that have a sufficient number of observations.Daily observations
Each metric in this data set is produced for a given area once per day.Disaster response
This data is able to provide critical information gaps on the state of cellular network coverage after natural disasters for the purpose of restoring connectivity as well as determining where aid workers and communities will be able to communicate.
Methodology
Step 1: Identify crisis area
We only generate network coverage data for a defined crisis area. We then sample connectivity data within the crisis area from cellular towers that usually hold multiple antennas, each of which has a unique identifier (site).Step 2: Draw estimated coverage area
We draw an estimated coverage area describing the locations of the devices that are accessing the site to obtain cellular connectivity.Step 3: Calculate coverage areas with uncertain coverage
We highlight areas in which we have observed no network traffic compared to the baseline.Step 4: Calculate likelihood of network outages
For areas in which we have not observed network traffic, we estimate how likely it is that the cell site is nonoperational given the expected network traffic and the number of people estimated to be within its coverage area.RESOURCES
Using Network Coverage Maps
Network Coverage Maps are available to nonprofits and researchers who sign data sharing agreements.
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RESOURCES