Adoption of International Telecommunication Union's Framework and Methodology for Telecommunication Services

Debated in Parliament on 8 Apr 2013.

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Lee Li Lian questioned why IDA's QoS standards for 2G and 3G cellular services focus on signal strength but not signal quality, and asked if IDA would adopt the ITU's framework for quality telecommunication services.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim clarified that IDA's framework does include signal quality indicators like coverage, call success rates, and dropped call rates, which collectively reflect quality.
He noted that IDA incorporates relevant ITU recommendations but excludes those not directly consumer-focused, such as global interconnection standards, to ensure standards are meaningful and aligned with regulatory objectives.
The minister highlighted that Singapore is among few countries with enforceable QoS standards and that IDA regularly reviews and enhances these, such as increasing building coverage requirements.

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Lee Li Lian

Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) what are the reasons that IDA's QoS Standards for 2G and 3G Public Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (PCMTS) include requirements for signal strength but not signal quality; and (b) whether IDA will consider adopting the International Telecommunication Union's framework and methodology for quality telecommunication services into the QoS Standards.

Page: 147

Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

It is not correct to say that IDA's QoS framework for 3G mobile telephone services does not include requirements for signal quality. Mobile operators are required to comply with a variety of indicators, including outdoor coverage nation-wide, within buildings, roads and MRT tunnels, as well as call success rates, dropped call rates and signal strength. These indicators, taken together, provide an indication of signal quality.

The framework already incorporates recommendations from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), such as coverage, dropped call and call success rates.

IDA has correctly not included technical specifications in the ITU's recommendations that have no relevance to consumers. For example, the facilitation of global interconnection and interoperability, or efficiency improvement of international telecommunication services.

In setting the QoS framework, IDA ensures that the parameters and standards set are meaningful and reflective of the regulatory and policy objectives of the telecommunication regulator. Singapore is also one of the few countries known to have imposed QoS standards on telecommunication services for compliance purposes. The ITU itself does not recommend nor require members to create QoS frameworks to protect consumer interest.

IDA will regularly review the QoS frameworks. In fact, it has further enhanced the standard from 1 April 2013, where mobile operators are required to provide at least 85% of coverage within buildings for each building in Singapore.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Lee Li Lian questioned why IDA's QoS standards for 2G and 3G cellular services focus on signal strength but not signal quality, and asked if IDA would adopt the ITU's framework for quality telecommunication services.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim clarified that IDA's framework does include signal quality indicators like coverage, call success rates, and dropped call rates, which collectively reflect quality.
He noted that IDA incorporates relevant ITU recommendations but excludes those not directly consumer-focused, such as global interconnection standards, to ensure standards are meaningful and aligned with regulatory objectives.
The minister highlighted that Singapore is among few countries with enforceable QoS standards and that IDA regularly reviews and enhances these, such as increasing building coverage requirements.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Adoption of International Telecommunication Union's Framework and Methodology for Telecommunication Services | PAPERCUTS

Adoption of International Telecommunication Union's Framework and Methodology for Telecommunication Services

Debated in Parliament on 8 Apr 2013.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Lee Li Lian questioned why IDA's QoS standards for 2G and 3G cellular services focus on signal strength but not signal quality, and asked if IDA would adopt the ITU's framework for quality telecommunication services.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim clarified that IDA's framework does include signal quality indicators like coverage, call success rates, and dropped call rates, which collectively reflect quality.
He noted that IDA incorporates relevant ITU recommendations but excludes those not directly consumer-focused, such as global interconnection standards, to ensure standards are meaningful and aligned with regulatory objectives.
The minister highlighted that Singapore is among few countries with enforceable QoS standards and that IDA regularly reviews and enhances these, such as increasing building coverage requirements.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Lee Li Lian

Page: 147

Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

The framework already incorporates recommendations from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), such as coverage, dropped call and call success rates.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Lee Li Lian questioned why IDA's QoS standards for 2G and 3G cellular services focus on signal strength but not signal quality, and asked if IDA would adopt the ITU's framework for quality telecommunication services.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim clarified that IDA's framework does include signal quality indicators like coverage, call success rates, and dropped call rates, which collectively reflect quality.
He noted that IDA incorporates relevant ITU recommendations but excludes those not directly consumer-focused, such as global interconnection standards, to ensure standards are meaningful and aligned with regulatory objectives.
The minister highlighted that Singapore is among few countries with enforceable QoS standards and that IDA regularly reviews and enhances these, such as increasing building coverage requirements.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Adoption of International Telecommunication Union's Framework and Methodology for Telecommunication Services

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Lee Li Lian

Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

Summary

Questions Identified

Adoption of International Telecommunication Union's Framework and Methodology for Telecommunication Services

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Lee Li Lian

Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

Summary

Questions Identified