Quality of service monitoring: a timely idea

This paper proposes a Quality of Service monitoring (QoS) system for broadband networks and Internet service and access providers as a policy vehicle at a time of regulatory devolution and as an information services enterprise for broadband cable and telephone network and Internet service and access provider industries. The paper does not address any specific technical standards. Nor does it address the rich and significant body of literature evaluating the interplays of standards setting and innovation notably in electronics. Rather, the paper places the notion of quality of service metrics-of use to the citizen and user, and of value to the corporation and regulator-in the historical context of regulatory devolution and information abundance. It suggests these historical circumstances both impel and enable users and citizens to take on many of the information gathering and discernment function historically exercised by regulators and journalists. And, it suggests that QoS monitoring will bring several benefits to broadband industries.