Regulators in the telecommunications industry can play a useful role in ensuring that QoS delivered by the service providers are optimal in the interests of the users and customers. Various methods can be used, for example, enforced publication of quality delivered, compensation schemes, carrot and stick approach etc. In some countries there is the tendency for the regulator to back off, leaving the market forces to ensure equilibrium is reached. However, it is debatable if abandoning to the market forces will ensure optimal quality-price relationship to the customer. This, together with the fact that telecommunications is very dynamic and rapidly changing, requires the role of the regulator to be reviewed regularly. Meeting this challenge is also the responsibility of professionals working in the telecommunications industry, perhaps by influencing the role and effectiveness of the regulator.

Inspec keywords: telecommunication network management; quality of service; telecommunication industry

Other keywords: compensation scheme; telecommunications industry; quality-price relationship; telecommunication quality of service management; carrot approach; QoS; stick approach; regulator; service providers

Subjects: Network management