Economics Times, April 11, 2019
Downloadable from the Android Play Store, the app called ‘My Quality App’ is aimed at improving consumer awareness about the quality of service provided by different telecom operators.
NEW DELHI: Are you curious to know how your mobile internet service operator fares against other operators? Or, just want to know more about different performance parameters that affect the quality of experience of your mobile internet? If the answer to these questions is in the affirmative, then a new app, designed by CUTS International and IIT Delhi is exactly what you require.
Downloadable from the Android Play Store, the unique app called ‘My Quality App’ is an attempt by IIT Delhi and CUTS International to improve consumer awareness about the quality of service provided by different telecom operators in India.
It makes use of performance data reported by the service operators to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and provides the data to the consumers in a simple format. For enabling consumers to make an informed choice about telecom service providers, through advocating for a consumer broadband label, the App helps consumers to better understand the Quality of Service (QoS) being offered, and various performance parameters that affect their mobile Internet Quality of Experience (QoE).
With the help of this application, consumers can then compare the performance of various operators in their area and choose the best amongst them. Attributing to a research done by IIT D and CUTS International, a report titled, ‘A right of consumers: getting to Know Your Mobile Internet Quality of Service and making an informed choice’, reveals that the QoS obtained by users differs considerably from advertised values by telecom providers, and from values reported by them to the TRAI.
“The experiments conducted show that throughputs achieved by both 2G and 3G networks are significantly lower than their advertised rates. Further, the network availability at rural locations is remarkably lower than expected”, said the report.
As per the researchers, in such a scenario, the discontented consumers should be able to switch to another service provider, offering competitive prices and best QoS. “However, the ability of consumers to make rational and informed decisions in this regard is constrained by several factors. Disclosure of performance-related information by providers in a format which can be understood by consumers remains a major challenge, the report further added.
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