The Commission launched a public consultation on a new methodology to calculate the quality of service of 5G connectivity.
The features offered by this new methodology enable the calculation of the estimated (theoretical) quality of service of 5G, as opposed to the measured (sample tests) quality of service of 5G. It proposes a common approach that facilitates the collection of comparable data gathering across countries and operators, regardless of the 5G frequency band used.
The Commission is considering using this methodology to calculate a new KPI measuring the quality of 5G services, aimed at improving the monitoring of the connectivity targets of the Digital Decade. The Digital Decade Policy Programme sets the target of achieving 5G coverage of all populated areas, however the KPI for monitoring progress does not take into account the quality of service provided under peak conditions. The Implementing Decision setting out the KPI to measure progress towards the Digital Decade targets (Decision (EU) 2023/1353) includes provisions for the Commission to undertake further analysis to refine the measurement framework of connectivity targets, which underpins this methodological development.
The methodology is expected to be an important tool to support the policymaking, distribution of EU funding, and potentially future EU State Aid assessments to deploy more efficiently 5G networks across Europe.
The consultation comprises of two documents:
- A questionnaire where stakeholders are consulted on main issues, to facilitate the adoption of this methodology, as well as the collection and the exploitation of the data;
- The mapping methodology for the quality of service of 5G (which you can download below).
The 5G QoS mapping methodology has been prepared with the assistance of academic experts under the supervision of a steering committee made up of EC officials and some NRAs. The development of the document has taken into consideration a BEREC opinion (BoR (24) 188), a feedback from GSMA, technical contributions from several companies with expertise in evaluating QoS of telecom services and reflected the findings of small-scale tests run by the NRAs of Poland, Italy, Greece and Croatia with the assistance of participating operators.
Although this consultation is primarily targeted at stakeholders with expertise or responsibilities in the field of the mapping of the quality of service of 5G, such as national authorities, BEREC, telecom operators, and companies providing spectrum planning tools, the Commission encourages other interested stakeholders to respond. The consultation will be open for feedback until 27 June 2025.
Mapping methodology for the quality of service of 5G networks
Source: European Commission | Shaping Europe’s digital future | News & Views (https://tinyurl.com/2x6m98xy)