Baku: Opportunities to regulate activities of internet providers in Azerbaijan are limited, a recent analysis by Ookla reveals. The global company, known for its expertise in assessing internet network quality, emphasizes the inherent risks in relying solely on ISP-reported figures for regulatory oversight, particularly in remote or underserved regions.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the analysis points out that discrepancies in reported data can lead to distorted planning and inefficient infrastructure development. Furthermore, with the presence of numerous ISPs operating at varying performance levels, it becomes impractical to enforce uniform improvements across the sector. Limited regulatory capacity means that not all providers have an equal impact on the national service quality. A more targeted, data-driven strategy is necessary to identify key providers that can significantly enhance the country’s internet performance.
The framework of National ISP Performance Monitoring in Azerbaijan faces several challenges. Firstly, there is a need for objective monitoring of provider performance. The lack of independent verification of ISP-reported data on service quality necessitates a consistent method to track monthly performance trends, identify underperforming providers, and drive quality of service improvements across the board.
Secondly, the validation of regional coverage declarations is crucial. ISPs submit their regional subscriber presence via the Data Collection System, but without real-world validation, these declarations risk misrepresenting actual service distribution, especially in rural areas. This misrepresentation can distort planning and policy decisions.
Thirdly, prioritizing impactful improvements remains a challenge due to limited regulatory resources. The need to identify ISPs providing subpar services is essential to achieve the country’s internet speed objectives. A scalable, simulation-based approach is recommended to focus on high-impact providers rather than imposing blanket requirements on all ISPs.
Lastly, road-level signal monitoring is necessary to address mobile service quality fluctuations along transport corridors. Manual drive tests are costly and limited in scope. However, by utilizing Ookla Cell Analytics, ICTA now continuously monitors signal strength across major roads in Baku, using GPS-tagged results from real users to identify weak spots and guide effective infrastructure planning.