Quality of service (QoS) is likely to be an issue regulators will consider. With services provided over the Internet, QoS amounts to a “best effort” standard. But with IPTV and mobile TV offerings, a provider can control QoS because it uses a privately managed network. In addition, given the importance of better picture quality with IPTV and mobile TV, it is in the operator’s interest to provide high-quality service or the consumer will go elsewhere.
In Singapore, MDA was considering whether to impose QoS requirements on mobile TV, but it proposed not to mandate picture quality or performance indicators for customer service. MDA indicated that it believes imposing picture quality requirements would limit the mobile TV providers’ flexibility to determine an optimal mix of formats, and customer service mandates are not necessary in a competitive environment. However, MDA did propose minimum network coverage requirements to ensure that (1) mobile TV services are offered throughout Singapore, and (2) outdoor coverage meets a 95 per cent threshold.[1]
ENDNOTES
[1] Media Development Authority (MDA), Public Consultation on Policy and Regulatory Framework for Mobile Broadcasting Services in Singapore, at 6 (Nov. 21, 2007), available at: www.mda.gov.sg/wms.file/mobj/mobj.1167.Mobile%20TV%20Consultation.pdf.