A visualization framework for discovering prepaid mobile subscriber usage patterns

Abstract

Telecommunications operators in developing countries are faced with a problem of knowing their prepaid subscriber usage patterns. They have a challenge of reducing prepaid churn and maximizing the lifetime value of their subscribers. The prepaid subscriber is anonymous, and the only way a prepaid subscriber gives information to the operator is through call records of events on the use of the telecommunications network. Thus, the call details in their raw form do not provide any useful information. In addition, these details provide an overwhelming amount of data that is not easy to analyze. To assist the telecommunications operators, this study undertook to develop a visualization framework that helps telecommunication operators discover prepaid subscriber usage patterns. An exploratory approach was used to unravel subscriber usage patterns from call data records obtained from a local telecommunication operator in Uganda. Five visualization tools that were selected based on their functionalities. Based on the findings, a visualization framework for discovering subscriber usage patterns is presented. The framework is evaluated using call data with known knowledge obtained from the local telecommunication operator. Results outline the strengths of various visualization techniques as regards to specific prepaid usage patterns.