Data access is the main challenge when using MPD as data source for official statistics. The first Handbook on using MPD for official statistics[1] addressed two main challenges of using MPD: capacity gap, and privacy gap. The same Handbook also presented various types of data access as described in Phase I of the ITU Project for six countries in 2014. The Eurostat Feasibility Study of the Use of Mobile Positioning Data for Tourism Statistics in 2014[2] also pointed out the challenge of accessing information from MPD.
Given the challenge with accessing raw data from MNOs, it is important to apply the same methodology and approaches across MNOs. Apart from foreseen difficulty in explaining the differences in approaches across MNOs, if different methods would be adopted by each MNO then the aggregated data for tourism statistics would become problematic or incomparable.
Ultimately, the best way and usually the first recommendation to NSO is to obtain or access the raw data from MNO and for NSOs to process and aggregate the raw data to make them fit for purpose. When NSO have full access to raw data, the control on the quality and methodology of the statistics like those for other data sources like census, survey and administrative data can be assured. Also, NSO has mitigation measures if there are problems in the data. On the other hand, if only aggregate data is obtained when accessing MPD from MNO for the first time, this should not hamper NSOs from continuously advocating and educating MNOs on the benefits and importance of giving NSOs, the full access to raw data.
[1] https://unstats.un.org/bigdata/task-teams/mobile-phone/MPD Handbook 20191004.pdf
[2] https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/747990/6225717/MP-Consolidated-report.pdf
