IDA rolls out new quality of service standards for 4G services

Operators should cover 99% of outdoor areas by July 2017.

The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has unveiled new 4G Quality of Service (QoS) standards that telco operators will need to comply with starting July 2017.

The new standards related to the pervasiveness of mobile coverage in Singapore, which includes outdoor areas, tunnels and within building premises.

Under the new rules, network operators will have to cover 99% of outdoor areas starting July next year, compared to just 95% of outdoor areas at present.

IDA will also impose similar standards on the fourth new MNO, if any, who will be provided with more lead-time to roll out its network to meet the standards.

The regulator also provided an update on ongoing Heterogeneous Networks (HetNet) trials, which were launched in April 2016.

IDA’s survey of 1,100 individuals showed that 86% were satisfied with the improvements in network performance based on the HetNet deployments. Speed tests conducted at the Jurong East MRT station showed a significant 65.67% improvements in average download speeds and 21.21% improvements in upload speeds.

The coverage and speed improvements came from technology deployments such as small cells and intelligent subscriber routings. Such pilots provide important learning points for operators to note for future deployments.