Director for Communications, Mr. Alifeleti Tuíhalamaka and ITU Program Manager, Mr. Aamir Riaz, assisted by expert Mr. Farid Kazim from Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Mr. Brad Partridge, a consultant, hosted local stakeholders on Telecom Quality of Service Rules 2023 and National Emergency Telecommunications Plan draft, on the 7^th and 8^th of March, respectively.

ITU through its technical assistance program delivered from its regional office based in Bangkok, Thailand, delivered a back-to-back workshop consultation on Quality-of Service Rules (QoS) 2023 draft as well as a draft National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP). Local stakeholders were invited to participate in this workshop to be briefed on the drafts based on all information provided include learning experience from nearby countries in the region.

This QoS workshop will provide a platform for the local stakeholders to engage through interactive sessions of discussions on the key findings and agendas of the QoS Rules 2023 draft including common international standards adopting, measurement methods and tools recommending, and how to report to the Regulator on a timely basis.

Chief Secretary and Secretary to the Cabinet, and A/CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Maú endorsed the workshop and efforts made by ITU to provide a framework as a guideline to the Ministry as a Regulator to enforce better quality of service in the telecommunications industry in Tonga. Mr. Maú commented that the Telecommunications providers in the country have carried out a magnificent effort in providing services for its customers while we think that the demand is building to a level that we need these rules as a friendly guideline that put everyone on the same page, same direction making the quality of the service the best in the region.

Director Tuíhalamaka Director for Communications further commented that he appreciates the expertise ITU brought into this workshop not only by the drafted rules but also shared a bulk of experience and skills that the Ministry needed linking to all components of QoS. Key telecommunication services concern this QoS Rules draft include mobile and fixed broadband services as well as satellite services.

Furthermore, Mr. Tuíhalamaka, as a Chair of the National Emergency Telecom Cluster, expressed his excitement and appreciation to ITU again and the expertise of the Consultant engaged, to draft this NETP as a starting point for this very much needed plan by the cluster and its stakeholders. At the end, the people of Tonga deserve accurate and timely disseminations of emergency information through ICT technologies in any means. This Plan will guide all stakeholders from government to non-government agencies on their roles and responsibilities to respond to emergencies when happens for efficient and effective coordination. Infrastructures in place and infrastructures required are also clearly mentioned on this plan to identify potential and gaps within the country.

This Plan is also highlighted the significance of conducting regular capacity building and training for stakeholders to enhance their skills and knowledge in such systems and equipment in place or required by the cluster for emergencies.  

The consultation process is to be completed by all stakeholders to submit their comments and feedbacks towards the drafts in which to be incorporated and finalised before the approval process.

ENDS.

 Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.