Request for Guidance on Accessing Cellular RF and Network Measurements in iOS

Hello,

We are developing an enterprise iOS application for cellular network benchmarking, performance validation, and network analytics.

After reviewing the publicly available iOS frameworks and APIs, including CoreTelephony, we have not identified a supported public API that provides access to the following cellular RF and network measurements:

• ARFCN • Band • Bandwidth (BW) • Cell ID • PCI (Physical Cell Identity) • CQI (Channel Quality Indicator) • RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) • RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) • SINR / SNR • RSSI • TAC (Tracking Area Code) • TA (Timing Advance)

As an example, we are interested in obtaining information similar to the following:

{ "arfcn": "", "band": "", "bw": "", "cellId": "", "cqi": "", "pci": "", "rsrp": "", "rsrq": "", "sinr": "", "rssi": "", "ta": "", "tac": "" }

Could Apple please clarify whether any of these measurements are available through an officially supported mechanism, including but not limited to:

• Public iOS frameworks or APIs • Special entitlements • Carrier partner programs or integrations • Apple-approved diagnostics or measurement frameworks • Any other Apple-supported programs or access mechanisms

We are not seeking to use private APIs, reverse-engineering techniques, or unsupported approaches. Our objective is solely to determine whether Apple provides a legitimate and supported method for an application to access any of these cellular network metrics on iOS devices.

If access to any subset of these measurements is supported, we would greatly appreciate guidance regarding the relevant documentation, framework, entitlement, carrier program, or enrollment process.

Our use case is limited to:

• Cellular network benchmarking • Performance validation and testing • Network quality analytics

Thank you for your guidance and assistance.

Could Apple please clarify whether any of these measurements are available through an officially supported mechanism, including but not limited to:

Public iOS frameworks or APIs

No public API provides the level of information you're describing.

Special entitlements • Carrier partner programs or integrations • Apple-approved diagnostics or measurement frameworks • Any other Apple-supported programs or access mechanisms

I'm not aware of any other option, however, if API for this was provided through a private/special purpose program, then it wouldn't be something we could discuss publicly.

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Kevin Elliott
DTS Engineer, CoreOS/Hardware

Thank you for the clarification.

Our application is intended for telecom network benchmarking and performance analysis. Could you advise whether there is an official Apple Developer support channel, program, point of contact, or documentation through which organizations can inquire about carrier-partner integrations, restricted entitlements, or access to cellular network diagnostic information?

We would appreciate guidance on the appropriate channel through which such requirements can be discussed with Apple and whether any relevant documentation is available.

Thank you for your assistance.

Request for Guidance on Accessing Cellular RF and Network Measurements in iOS
 
 
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