Towards better mobile quality of service in Asia Pacific

Assessing the role of regulation

Enhancing Mobile Quality in Asia Pacific: Insights from the GSMA QoS Report

The GSMA has released a comprehensive report examining the evolution of Quality-of-Service (QoS) regulations in the Asia Pacific region. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative research, the study explores the critical factors shaping QoS, the regulatory impact on consumer welfare and industry sustainability, and practical recommendations for policymakers.

Key Highlights from the Report:

• Rapid QoS Improvements: Over the past decade, Asia Pacific has experienced significant enhancements in mobile connectivity, with average download speeds increasing eight-fold and call drop rates halving.
• Beyond Direct Regulation: Policies on spectrum management, taxation, and infrastructure significantly influence QoS, often more than direct QoS regulations.
• External Challenges: Factors such as spectrum availability, power reliability, infrastructure conditions, and extreme weather significantly impact mobile operator performance.
• Limited Impact of Direct QoS Regulations: Evidence suggests that imposing direct QoS obligations has minimal or no measurable impact on service quality and can lead to unintended consequences like reduced investment in network improvements.

Policy Recommendations:

• QoS should be a shared responsibility among ecosystem players, including platform providers, device manufacturers, and mobile operators.
• Collaborative frameworks between operators and regulators can enhance outcomes and reduce compliance costs.
• Conducting regulatory impact assessments ensures that new regulations deliver benefits without unintended costs.
• Sanctions should be proportionate and used as a last resort to avoid discouraging investment in network expansion.

This report highlights the need for nuanced, collaborative approaches to QoS regulation that align with market dynamics and foster sustainable improvements in connectivity.