By Telecom Lead Team: Quality of service (QoS) is
considered as the most important feature of mobile broadband services by
operators and vendors in Asia-Pacific. In comparison, 2011 survey found that
coverage was the top issue.
While coverage is still a key differentiator between
some operators’ services, the gap between incumbents and challengers has
narrowed, putting more onus on QoS,” said Nicole McCormick, senior analyst
Telco Strategy, Ovum.
However, unlimited data tariffs remain a major
barrier to improved QoS in a number of markets.
Approximately 40 percent of respondents believed that
unlimited plans were the most effective way to charge for mobile data. As data
usage increases, unlimited plans will only lead to the degradation of customer
experience. Operators will need to abandon these plans if they are to
differentiate themselves based on QoS.
QoS will become a regulatory issue if it is overlooked.
Regulators have a duty to ensure that operators are able to offer good QoS by
having a clear and upfront spectrum roadmap. They also need to allocate
spectrum efficiently, avoiding the temptation to split spectrum between too
many operators in the name of competition.
While the responsibility of ensuring good QoS will
ultimately fall on operators, regulators will step in if they believe they can
introduce measures to improve QoS.
As the findings from our survey show, many operators will
increase their focus on QoS in 2012. Those that don’t may well face the wrath
of regulators.
Meanwhile, Japan is ranked number one in the index.
Singapore (2), Hong Kong (3), Australia (4) and South Korea (5) are the in top
5, according to GSMA.
India ranks 14 in mobile broadband readiness index among 17
Asia Pacific nations
Below India (14), countries such as Thailand (15),
Pakistan (16) and Bangladesh (17) are finding place.
While the mobile broadband readiness index 2011 scrore
for Japan is 78.7, India’s score is 20.2. Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia,
Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand are above India.
The Mobile Broadband Readiness Index (MBRI) indicates that countries creating
an ecosystem conducive to growth in mobile data services have the potential to
make rapid leaps ahead of their peers.
editor@telecomlead.com
