Blog series: Telecom regulators #1 Overview

As any big business there are tight regulations around telecommunications. Let us have an initial look with Zeeshan Ahmed how deep this goes.

Mar 10, 2024

Telecommunications regulatory bodies have a multidimensional role in the telecom industry. Although, the main functions they perform are licensing, type approvals, frequency allocation, quality of service (QoS), health hazard checking, and the protection of public health. But they need to safeguard the interests of government, industry, and the consumers as well.

The creation and interpretation of telecom laws, which go beyond simple legal regulations, is at the core of their duties. As we all know the telecom industry is emerging and every second a new update is on the way. This leads the telecom regulator to respond to these quick changes in society, technology, and the industry's dynamic character. In short, a telecom regulator ensures consistency and applicability within all its stakeholders.

So, the role of Telecom Regulatory is:

To oversee and enforce telecom industry standards
Mediator Between Government and Telecom Companies
Equipment approval
Setting global policies
Protect consumers through quality control and complaint resolution.
Audit Services

Implementation of Laws and Regulations

Telecom regulatory bodies meticulously develop and interpret laws according to their constitution and following regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The interpretation should be done considering technology, legalities, and societal needs. This also foster industry growth, and contribute to telecom competency development.

Some of the common frame works and regulations for any Telecom regulator includes following.

2G Telecom Services Frame Work
3G /4G Regulations and Frame-Work
5G Regulations
Regulatory Framework for SRD (Short Range Devices) & IoT (Internet of Things) Services
Framework for Test and Development of Future Technologies (Particularly Fifth Generation (5G) Wireless Networks)
Regulatory Framework for Satellite Services & Licensing [1]

Mediator Between Government and Telecom Companies

Regulatory bodies serve as mediators between government and telecom companies. It is their responsibility to introduce policies that align for mutual benefit, long-term growth, and national interests.

It is also their responsibility to oversee a seamless telecom ecosystem that is fully aligned with ITU regulations. They encourage cooperation and advocate for industry expansion.

They also support laws that excite innovation and competitiveness in the telecom sector for the advantage of all the stakeholders including government, both new and established businesses and consumers.

Collaboration is required between different companies for the following;

Intracompany Telecom Services including Calls and SMS
Editors note: One example of regulator role is defining how the phone numbers that are moved from one operator to another treated. Ofcom has mediated the discussion of if the initial operator should be forwarding the calls at all [2].
Roaming Services
Editors note: An ITU article quotes that regulators have been performing analysis on the pricing on roaming charges. This has lead to fines for operators when unfair pricing is found [3].
Infrastructure Sharing

Editors note: Regulatory bodies can enforce even site sharing.

“If Ofcom concluded that mast sharing was technically feasible and/or was being refused by the communications provider (mast owner), it could exercise its powers to require mast sharing.”

Quality of Service (QoS)

The Telecom Regulatory bodies have the ultimate authority and obligation to monitor Quality of Service (QoS) and Protect Consumers. It is their responsibility to not only ensure the timely resolution of complaints but also promote transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the telecom sector.

By monitoring service quality, resolving complaints swiftly, promoting fairness, and bridging digital divides, regulatory agencies work towards universal service accessibility for all consumers. Their dedication to openness and equity raises trust and satisfaction among customers. This helps in establishing a telecom environment that is inclusive and accessible to all users.

Telecom Regulators around the world set pre defined KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for the operating companies to ensure Quality of Service. For example, the optimum basic KPIs for any Operating Company are:

CSSR (Call Setup Success Rate) 98%
Network Accessibility >99% [4]

Network Audit

Network Audit is one of the key functions for any Telecom Regulatory Authority to ensure the fulfillment of all the policies, standards and frameworks set by regulator.

Audit includes but not limited to the following:

QoS Audit
Customer Complaints Resolution Audit
Operations Performance Audit
Telecom Regulations Compliance Audit

Telecom Regulatory Authorities carry on Audit using their internal resources or subcontractors or some times hires consultant for the same. For the technical audits related to network performance mainly Radio Frequency KPIs are audited. RF Consultants or subcontractors perform relevant tests in different areas and compile the results. While Telecom regulations compliance audit is mainly carried out by Telecom legal auditors.

Conclusion

Telecom regulatory agencies play a crucial role in guiding the progress of the telecom sector, responsibly. This role extends beyond traditional supervision to include ethical, technological, and legal aspects. They design legislation that is adaptable to societal and technological changes, ensuring that telecom businesses comply with the law and improve their practices.

In case you have special areas of regulation to be discussed, please leave a comments.

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