## 5 Results and Discussion
### Comparative Analysis of Ionospheric Scintillations  
In the first step, we examine the state of ionospheric data and their relationship to scintillations across contrasting solar activity years 2015, a peak solar activity year, and 2020, a year of minimal solar activity. Based on the ionospheric observations from 2015 and 2020, a comprehensive analysis of ionospheric scintillations and TEC can be linked to geomagnetic influences which vary significantly over different months and years. Figure 5 presents a graphical representation of the daily average values of TEC and scintillation occurrences. Additionally, Table 2 provides detailed statistics including the monthly average values of S4, the monthly average TEC, and the monthly average percentage of scintillation occurrences. These visualizations and data summaries offer a comprehensive overview of ionospheric behavior, facilitating a deeper understanding of its variations and trends over time. During January 2015, there was a robust correlation between TEC levels and the frequency of ionospheric scintillations. Higher TEC values typically coincided with an increase in scintillation occurrences (S4 > 0.2), especially on days where TEC exceeded the monthly average by more than 10 units, with scintillation occurrences often rising above 25%. This indicates a high sensitivity of the ionosphere to electron density changes, especially near equatorial ionospheric anomalies. Lower-than-average TEC values were linked to reduced scintillation activities, suggesting that decreased electron densities could mitigate ionospheric disturbances, potentially enhancing communication stability. The intense geomagnetic activities noted in January 2015, including a high solar flux (F10.7 index at 137.32) and elevated geomagnetic indices (Kp approaching 7), likely contributed to these patterns. In March 2015, TEC fluctuations closely correlated with scintillation frequencies. Days with elevated TEC levels saw increased scintillation occurrences, frequently exceeding 20%. This month featured significant geomagnetic activity, with a Kp index near 8 and a notable Dst index downtron to \(-\)27.75, indicating strong geomagnetic disturbances. These conditions, indicative of a heightened state of geomagnetic and solar dynamism, evidently intensified the ionospheric responses, leading to higher scintillation rates. The relationship between TEC levels and scintillation occurrences in July 2015 also showed that higher TEC corresponded with more frequent scintillations, often exceeding 20% on days with elevated TEC. However, the inverse was also true: lower TEC values resulted in fewer scintillations, suggesting more stable ionospheric conditions. The geomagnetic activity in July, though less intense than earlier months, still influenced these outcomes, highlighting the complex interplay between various environmental conditions and ionospheric behavior. Fast forward to January 2020, the correlation between TEC and scintillations remained evident but with less intensity compared to 2015. The Kp index showed a decrease, aligning with generally reduced geomagnetic disturbances throughout the year. Days with high TEC continued to show increased scintillation occurrences, emphasizing ongoing sensitivity to electron density changes, albeit under reduced solar and geomagnetic influences (F10.7 at 72.23). March 2020 saw a clear relationship between increased TEC and higher scintillation rates, particularly on days when TEC values were significantly above average. Despite  
Figure 4: (**a**) The geographical distribution of ground-based GNSS stations; (**b**) S4 values measured along IPP tracks at 12:00 UT on 15 January 2015; and (**c**) a filled S4 map generated through interpolation using the Kriging method. a generally quieter geomagnetic environment than 2015, the effects of elevated electron densities on ionospheric disturbances remained pronounced, indicating the enduring impact of geomagnetic conditions on ionospheric stability.