Types of drive tests

Cluster, Benchmark, and SSV Tests

Drive tests are categorized by purpose, scope, and methodology. A Cluster Drive Test validates a group of 5–20 newly deployed or optimized sites, covering all sectors and handover boundaries — typically a 2–4 hour effort. A Benchmark Drive Test is a competitive comparison where multiple devices (one per operator) run identical scripts simultaneously along a city-wide route, measuring RSRP, SINR, throughput, and voice quality. Companies like P3/umlaut conduct national benchmarks that operators use for marketing claims. A Single Site Verification (SSV) focuses on one new site, circling it at…