Mobile net
Initial release: 2017
Mobile app
Mobile Net allows GSM network subscribers or anyone at all to access some services of the electronic communications regulator in Benin. It allows users to send messages, follow ARCEP news, respond to surveys, test connection quality, compare operator services, and more.
🧰 Tech stack
-
Languages:
Java
-
Frameworks:
Android SDK
-
Database:
Firestore
- Tools/Software: Android Studio
🖼️ Screenshots
Welcome screen
Navigation drawer
Feature list screen
Measurement of internet quality
Price comparison of mobile operators' data plans
Internet/voice coverage map across the territory
Documentation screen
⚙️ Technical challenges
Working on this application has significantly improved my skills in managing network connectivity on mobile devices. Monitoring connectivity is a complex and delicate task. Here are a few bottlenecks I got to alleviate:
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Differentiating Network Types during the test of network speed | I used ConnectivityManager + NetworkCapabilities. This allows to know which connectivity provider is active (WiFi, mobile data, etc) |
| Background networking (Android Doze mode, battery optimizations, or data saver may restrict background networking) | I used JobScheduler and WorkManager to request temporary PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK, which prevented the app to be killed when the app was performing a network test in the background. |
| Displaying network coverage and misc. on a map | I got to use Google Maps API and leaned a lot during the process: managing layers, markers and polylines, etc |
👨💻 Project duration and role
It took me less than 2 months to develop Mobile net. The project was submitted to ARCEP for adoption but was not considered. I still learned a lot by working on this app!