Mobile Network Dead Zones in MRT Network and Steps to Rectify Persistent Signal Gaps
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns mobile network dead zones within the MRT network and the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) oversight of signal gap rectifications. Member of Parliament Gerald Giam Yean Song inquired about public dashboards for tracking coverage gaps and whether financial penalties are imposed for persistent non-compliance. Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How responded that operators must provide over 99% coverage in tunnels and stations to meet 4G Quality of Service standards. He noted that IMDA publishes performance results on its website and works with operators to enhance coverage, a process typically requiring six months. Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How also clarified that no persistent signal gaps have remained unrectified within the MRT network over the last three years.
Transcript
3 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) compiles a list of specific mobile network dead zones across the entire MRT network; (b) if so, whether this list and the rectification status of each site will be made public via a dashboard to ensure operator accountability; and (c) how many persistent signal gaps have remained unrectified for more than 12 months.
The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (Mr Tan Kiat How) (for the Minister for Digital Development and Information): Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are required to meet the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA's) 4G Quality of Service standards, and IMDA conducts regular checks to ensure these are met. This includes the requirement to provide more than 99% mobile coverage in all Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) tunnels and MRT stations in Singapore. The Quality of Service performance results for each MRT line are published on IMDA’s website.
Where there are coverage gaps found along the MRT network, IMDA works closely with MNOs to carry out enhancements that address the gaps. MNOs typically take six months to complete these enhancements, working within the limited hours of maintenance windows for tunnel access.
Mr Speaker: Mr Giam.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. For the persistent dead zones that have been remain unrectified after six months, does the Ministry impose any escalating financial penalties on the providers in order to ensure that there is a stronger commercial incentive for them to resolve the issues more speedily? And second, does IMDA track whether certain mobile operators have a higher proportion of these long-term dead zones and will this track record of non-compliance be factored into the pricing or allocation of future spectrum allocations or spectrum options?
Mr Tan Kiat How: Sir, as I said earlier my reply, MNOs typically take six months to enhance coverage. Over the last three years, no persistent signal gaps within MRT network remained unrectified.