Data Analytics: Understanding Human Behavior based on Mobile Network Data

Abstract

Cellular networks are aware of the approximate geographical location of all connected devices 24/7 in order to route calls and network packets. Teralytics is a data analytics company specialized in analyzing this particular dataset: Mobile network data describing the mobility behavior of millions of people. The data's unique nature poses several challenges: First and foremost, due to the sensitivity of the data we must adhere to strict privacy rules and regulations and invest heavily into finding answers to legal and ethical questions about its use. Additionally, the data is generated by a complex system of which we have only incomplete visibility and thus shows anomalies and imprecisions, which must be corrected to produce valid analytical output. Finally, as a business we face the challenge of identifying the intersection between feasibility and commercial value of analytical applications. The talk will explore and showcase the challenges and solutions of a real-world data analytics use case.