The role of devices in the end-user's experience of network quality has come under the spotlight once again, as eight European nations have launched what is being referred to as a "war on smartphones" - and SA's operators say they may follow suit.
Initiated by Denmark's telecoms regulator, eight neighbouring European nations this week came together to broach the issue of hardware construct and the role it has to play in end-users' network experience.
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden have approached the European Commission to demand the challenges faced by consumers with their smartphones be addressed.
The nations have proposed a labelling scheme for receiver performance in cellphones, which they say needs to be looked into urgently.
About two months ago, ITWeb reported on Danish ICT research firm Strand Consult's findings that cellular handsets have a considerable role to play in connectivity issues - a factor that SA's operators say they are investigating.
Strand Consult says data is mounting that smartphone design is a leading culprit of poor mobile coverage. Telecom regulators, says the firm, need to step up and react in the interest of cellphone consumers.
Constant consideration
In response to the European call, SA's operators say they are aware of the role hardware has to play in network quality, and are continuously looking into the matter.
Telkom Mobile says, while copyright issues may make it challenging to implement a common labelling scheme, if Europe's markets are successful in implementing one, the benefits are likely to filter down to SA, as devices that come into the country are largely identical to the European devices.
"There are several factors that affect the quality of calls on different devices. These include placement, location, component quality, software version and the way the device is being held."
Telkom Mobile adds most smartphones currently have directional antennas, rather than the omnidirectional antennas from the early days, "further influencing quality variances between devices".
SA's first cellphone operator, Vodacom, says the company thoroughly tests handsets and antenna performance prior to approving them for use on its network.
Vodacom spokesperson Richard Boorman says while the operator would have to explore the recent proposal to the European Commission before considering a shadow move, Vodacom is aware of challenges arising from smartphone hardware.
"Smartphone antennae can impact the performance of a handset. We're a long way from the old 2G handsets with a dedicated external antenna that had a relatively simple job of covering just a few frequency bands. Smartphones now have antennae covering multiple frequencies and usages include 2G, 3G, LTE, WiFi and Bluetooth.
"To complicate things further, many of these may be operating simultaneously, and if on the move there could be handoffs between base stations as well as handoffs between say 3G and LTE to add to the challenge."
Vodacom's rival MTN says it views the role of handsets in network quality "in a serious light".
Mike Fairon, general manager of products and solutions at MTN SA, says the operator focuses on the operating systems and device ergonomics just as much as on the network when it comes to the customer's experience.
"MTN has seen variance in performance, signal strength and support of specific functions in different devices. In MTN's experience, quality varies from device range maturity, manufacture and operating system."
With regard to the recent call for a labelling scheme, Fairon says MTN will continue to engage with original equipment manufacturers and undertake "rigorous testing".
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