Quality of Service(QoS), in general, is referred to as a measurement of how a service performs as experienced by the end users. In the telecom sector, it helps manage latency and several other factors to keep VoIP calls clear, video streams smooth, and applications responsive.
QoS holds great importance for networks that support high bandwidth applications and services. Some of the common areas where QoS is required include:
Internet protocol television (IPTV)
Online gaming, streaming media, Videoconferencing
Video on demand (VOD)
Voice over IP (VoIP)
But QoS isn’t just about speed. It reduces delays, prevents data loss, and helps networks handle congestion.
And measuring it can be a challenge for companies as traffic, network conditions, and user expectations keep changing.
In this article, let us learn more about the critical nature of QoS in the telecom sector and list out some key QoS metrics for telco companies.
Why is Quality of Service(QoS) Critical for Telecom Companies?
Calls that drop, videos that buffer, and apps that lag frustrate users. QoS as a set of tools and processes that help networks handle latency, congestion, and stability issues more effectively.
Without it, even high-speed networks can fail to deliver a consistent experience. Here’s why it matters:
1. QoS Helps Maintain Stable Connections
Networks operate in dynamic environments where signal strength fluctuates due to interference and user movement. These variations impact connection quality, leading to call drops and degraded performance.
QoS monitors key radio frequency) metrics such as Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) to detect weak coverage areas before they affect users. This enhances handover decisions and optimizes network resource allocation, ensuring consistent connectivity and minimizing service disruptions.
2. QoS Reduces Delays for Real-Time Applications
Low-latency applications like VoIP, online gaming, and video conferencing require uninterrupted data transmission. Excessive delay results in voice distortion, lag, and video freezes.
QoS prioritizes latency-sensitive traffic over best-effort data by monitoring Round-Trip Time (RTT) and jitter. It dynamically allocates network resources to maintain packet order and minimize delays. While latency cannot be eliminated, QoS ensures it remains within acceptable thresholds, preserving the user experience.
3. Managing Network Congestion
Excessive traffic demand leads to congestion, causing packet delays, increased buffering, and degraded call quality. Without QoS, all traffic competes equally, reducing overall network efficiency.
QoS enforces traffic prioritization, so that mission-critical applications receive bandwidth over lower-priority data. Mechanisms like traffic shaping and congestion control allocate resources effectively, mitigating service degradation during peak loads.
4. QoS Helps 5G and IoT Networks Handle Demand
5G and IoT networks support diverse applications with varying service requirements. Latency-sensitive use cases like autonomous vehicles and industrial automation require real-time responsiveness, while bandwidth-heavy services such as video streaming demand sustained throughput.
QoS enables network slicing, traffic differentiation, and adaptive resource allocation to meet application-specific needs. It helps in checking that low-latency services remain unaffected by bandwidth-intensive tasks, maintaining service continuity even under high network load.
5. Compliance with Regulatory Standards
Telecom operators must adhere to QoS benchmarks set by regulatory bodies such as TRAI. These standards define acceptable thresholds for latency, jitter, and packet loss, ensuring service reliability.
Non-compliance results in financial penalties and reputational risks. QoS tracks key compliance metrics, including Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR) and Drop Call Ratio (DCR), enabling proactive optimization to meet regulatory mandates.
Key QoS Metrics for Telecom Companies to Keep in Check
| S.No | Metric | What It Measures | Why It Matters |
| 1 | Throughput | How fast data moves through the network | Needed for smooth streaming, downloads, and browsing. Slow speeds frustrate users. |
| 2 | Concurrency | How many users/devices the network can handle before slowing down | Helps prevent slow service during peak hours. |
| 3 | Latency | The delay before data starts moving | Critical for VoIP, gaming, and video calls. Delays can cause lag and interruptions. |
| 4 | Signal Strength & Quality (RSRP, RSRQ, SSNR) | How strong and clear the network signal is | Weak signals cause dropped calls and slow data. Good quality means fewer issues. |
| 5 | WiFi vs. Cellular Performance | How well the network switches between WiFi and mobile data | Affects call drops and internet stability when moving between networks. |
| 6 | Device Hardware Impact | How different devices affect network performance | Some devices handle networks better than others. This ensures a consistent experience. |
| 7 | Call Success Ratio (CSR) & Drop Call Ratio (DCR) | How often do calls connect and stay connected | No one likes dropped calls. A high failure rate means unhappy users. |
| 8 | Call Setup Time (CST) | How long it takes for a call to connect | Long wait times make users hang up before the call even starts. |
| 9 | SMS Success Ratio & Delivery Time | How often do messages get delivered, and how fast | Important for OTPs and urgent messages. Delays can cause missed logins and security issues. |
| 10 | Page Load Time | How quickly do webpages open | Slow pages make users leave. Fast loading improves experience and engagement. |
| 11 | Video Quality | Smoothness, buffering, and clarity of videos | Buffering ruins streaming. Users expect clear, uninterrupted playback. |
| 12 | App Responsiveness | How smooth and stable an app feels | Laggy or crashing apps make users stop using them. Stability keeps them engaged. |
The Way Forward
Quality of Service(QoS) isn’t just about meeting technical benchmarks. It affects how people experience calls, videos, and apps.
A strong network on paper doesn’t mean much if users still deal with dropped calls or slow load times. That’s why telcos need to focus on real performance rather than lab results.
The main challenge is that networks are always changing. With 5G rollouts, growing IoT traffic, and shifting user demand, maintaining consistent performance is harder than ever. Traditional testing methods don’t always capture real user experiences. data-driven insights, real-device testing, and continuous monitoring help bridge that gap.
Originally Published:- https://www.headspin.io/blog/kpis-for-effective-qos