The Regulation of the Quality of Service in Mobile Networks

The purpose of the paper is to identify global best practice in the regulation of quality of service on cellular wireless networks. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents an identification of issues from the literature and an analysis of examples of activities of regulators around the world. Findings: The paper finds that there is a wide range of approaches that are not easily comparable and do not necessarily fit with policy goals. Research limitations/implications: Mostly, the surveys are of basic voice parameters, with little on data or value services. Practical implications: The paper calls for better understanding of the information gaps of consumers and how third parties, including regulators, can play a part, in particular in the move toward 3G and 3.5G. Originality/value: The paper reviews a very wide range of materials and presents in a framework that helps understand the information gaps of consumers and how third parties, including regulators, can play a part, in particular in the move toward 3G and 3.5G