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Quality Metrics

The actual performance of internet connections, particularly the speed and latency, is critical to meeting the objective set out by the Regulator. It is a fundamental metric for consumers to make informed choices as their speeds influences the quality of their experience and to a certain extent determine the availability of certain kinds of services – for example, good quality video streaming which requires sufficient download speeds and low levels of packet loss, while Voice-over-IP (“VoIP”) telephony requires sufficiently low latency. For the Regulator, being able to access broadband performance is essential for ensuring accessibility to services (e.g. education, health, etc.) and whether services are meeting their goals for the overall market development, in respect to competitiveness, quality and coverage.

Measurement on Fixed Networks

The examination of performance on fixed networks is done using small-sized single-board computers which will be used as EDM or PSM probes. These will be placed on the network of all fixed operators and/or service providers to carry out tests using metrics and methodologies set out and approved by the Regulator. The results of all these probes are uploaded and consolidated onto a centrally hosted SQL database. Using proprietary software developed by TeleConsultancy and its partners, quality reports are made available based on which consumers can be informed.

Measurement on Mobile Networks

The performance on mobile networks will be done using an application based solution, loaded on Android and IOS handsets in accordance with the EAM approach. Similar to the measurements done on the fixed networks, the data will be uploaded to centrally hosted SQL database.