The TRA witnessed on Thursday, September 29, 2011 the signing of the long awaited  QoS Management System contract with Wicom, the winning bidder of the QoS Management System RFP. This signing is the final step for the implementation of a turn-key solution that will allow the TRA to measure the performance of telecommunications and data networks, analyze the traffic and deliver reports on key performance indicators on fixed-line, wireless and data networks in Lebanon. This system will allow the Authority to oversee and follow-up on the performance of every type of telecom service in every region of Lebanon and take the necessary actions to improve the quality of these services.

The QoS measurement and monitoring solution (QoSMAS) is based on a state of the art data measurement and processing system. The system collects and processes raw data in provenance from mobile (GSM, 3G, HSPA, WiMax,…), fixed (PSTN, IN, …) and data networks (Wireless, Wi-Fi,…) platforms, calculate the End-to-End KPI’s and publish resulting values to the public.

The TRA has planned the necessary budget to purchase this equipment that will be installed at the Authority’s premises and ensured the financing of this the project amounting  1.2 million USD. It consists of:
1/ the implementation of a platform at the TRA to measure fixed and mobile KPIs
2/ the implementation of drive test solution for mobile services
3/ the implementation of a broadband QoS measurement solution

The TRA launched an international request for proposal (RFP) in 2009 for the purchase and maintenance of this equipment and selected the best in-class provider at the end of the process. WICOM, the winning bidder, was represented by Mr. Wissam Siblini, Vice-President Sales and Operations and Mr. Samer Kehdi, Deputy General Manager. Dr. Imad Hoballah, TRA acting Chairman and CEO signed the contract that was initialed by Mr. Patrick Eid, TRA Board Member and Head of MCU.

Eng. Said Haidar, TRA QoS and Type Approval manager will be leading this project and will be supported by Dr. Wafa bou Diab, QoS and Type Approval Senior expert.

The TRA will initiate the project with the monitoring of mobile services and should start publishing KPI reports in April 2012, covering the period from January-March 2012. End users will be also involved at a later stage in the broadband Internet measurement via specific software agents to be downloaded from the TRA website and that will enable the TRA to measure the KPI for fixed DSL and wireless Broadband services. Users should check the TRA website should they wish to download the software and be part of this survey.

Applying the QoS regulation through the implementation of the QoSMAS project will result in improved QoS ratios and increased service quality of telecommunications services in Lebanon.