The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published its quarterly quality of service (QoS) monitoring test report, which found the networks of MTN, Vodacom and Cell C all fell short in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The operator said it publishes the report in order to identify shortcomings in the services offered by the three major mobile operators, and promote redress in the public interest.
MTN failed ICASA’s accessibility test in all the tested areas in the Western Cape, while it also failed the retainability test in Somerset West/Stellenbosch. Cell C failed the retainability test in all tested areas in the province, as well as the accessibility test in Somerset West/Stellenbosch.
Vodacom failed the retainability test in Worcester and Somerset West/Stellenbosch, as well as in Msinga, Empangeni, and Durban North/KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal. Cell C failed the accessibility test in Msinga, Richards Bay and Port Shepstone and the retainability test in Msinga, Empangeni, Richards Bay, Durban North/KwaMashu and Port Shepstone.
Also in KwaZulu-Natal, MTN failed the accessibility test in Msinga, Empangeni, Richards Bay, Durban North/KwaMashu and Port Shepstone, and the retainability test in Msinga and Durban North/KwaMashu.
“Quality of service is the collective effect of service performance which determines the degree of satisfaction of a user of the service – the capability of a network to provide a quality service to selected network traffic over various technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),” ICASA said.
“The authority continues to improve its reports and encourages all consumers to refer their complaints to the authority should they be dissatisfied with how operators have dealt with network and service deficiencies. This will enable the authority to cross-check data provided by the operators with data provided by consumers.
“The authority continues to hold that the reports will go a long way in enabling consumers to make informed choices when selecting a service provider.”
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