TRA reveals results for UAE cellular mobile networks benchmarking survey 2014

ABU DHABI, 18th May, 2015 (WAM) -- The General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector, TRA, yesterday revealed the results of the "UAE Cellular Mobile Networks Benchmarking 2014" survey. This step comes in line with the TRA’s commitment towards ensuring both quality and variety in telecommunication services throughout the UAE. The TRA conducts this extensive benchmarking survey annually to assess the UAE’s mobile networks and services provided by licensees Etisalat and du. The survey is carried out by a highly skilled workforce in order to obtain results that truly reflect the status of mobile networks and services provided. This survey provides the TRA with an opportunity to assess and track the current status of mobile networks, identifying the main issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure better quality and reliability. Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, TRA Director-General, said, "The TRA has prioritised the evaluation of the quality of services offered by telecommunication network operators. As ICT sector organisers, we conduct testing and assessments that help track the status of mobile networks in each phase, as well as the range of services provided, in order to increase the standard of service and attain excellence, in addition to promoting healthy competition amongst the operators." "Conducting the annual Benchmarking Survey and concluding its results has proved reliable for developing comprehensive and improved insights. These will result in continuous improvement in the quality of service throughout the UAE and contributes to attaining Smart Government and Smart Cities while achieving the highest levels of readiness, attracting investors and economic development in the country," he added. The Director of Technology Development Department at TRA, Saif bin Ghelaita, said, "We are working towards performing tests that provide a fair comparison and assessment of the mobile networks services by employing state-of-the-art test equipment used in most organisations and developed countries. This equipment measures key performance indicators that directly relate to the end-user experience through simulating an actual telecommunication environment in several conditions and several areas, where network coverage, dropped calls, and the clarity of calls are measured." The survey covered more than 13,000 km of the UAE’s roads at peak hours during working days. All seven emirates were covered. In addition, thousands of test calls and application trial runs were performed, along with similar tests conducted indoors at 34 buildings or major facilities across different emirates. After completing the Cellular Mobile Networks Benchmarking survey, results are reviewed with the UAE Telecom operators and then published as part of the transparency policy adopted by the TRA in the telecom market in the UAE. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395280676266.html