POTRAZ LAUNCH STATE-OF-THE-ART TTMS

Talent Gore

POSTAL and Telecommunications Regulatory Association (POTRAZ), has launched a state-of-the-art Traffic Monitoring and Revenue Assurance System (TTMS), which will help combat network fraud, enforce billing integrity, revenue assurance and track perpetrators of fraud

TTMS is a civil regulatory tool, which enables the Government, through POTRAZ, to ensure full accountability in the provision of public telecommunication services.

The system will also assist the authority in dealing with disputes on national interconnection, should they arise.

Speaking at the official launch of the TTMs, ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere, said POTRAZ has been afforded full visibility of International and National Interconnection Traffic flows.

“As I have observed on my tour of the National Operations Centre (NOC), POTRAZ has been afforded full visibility of International and National interconnection traffic flows,” he said.

“I do believe POTRAZ is now standing on a firm pedestal to independently verify traffic volumes and the revenues there from.”

Minister Muswere said the system will provide the Government with the capacity to measure and compute various statistics on both domestic and international telecommunication traffic.

“Government will leverage this capability in coming up with growth-oriented policies and in ensuring that No-One Is Left Behind,” he said.

“Our submissions to the ITU will also be based on accurate, relevant, and credible data and national statistics.”

Minister Muswere also lamented the increased number of cybercrime.

“Cybercrime is rampant across all sectors, including the telecommunication sector, the cost of such crimes is deep into six figure digits and most of such crimes go unreported,” he said.

“Government is pleased that the TTMS system will assist in combating telecommunication fraud perpetrated through traffic refiling and the use of grey routes or illegal gateways in the conveyancing of international traffic.

“The fraudulent traffic ends up being refiled into public networks through SIM BOXES or illegal gateway, therefore, prejudicing the operators and economy of the much-needed foreign currency earnings.”

He added that without a robust system in the ICT sector, it was prone to manipulation and leakages.

Potraz Director General, Dr Gift Machengete, said:

“This commissioning facilitates the implementation of a cutting-edge technology-based system that will effectively monitor telecommunication traffic and provide accurate real-time data collection,” Dr Machengete.

“This will give the Authority better visibility of market dynamics, which is essential for effective, efficient and forward-looking regulation.

“The use of the TTMS is, therefore, highly beneficial to operators, consumers and the government alike, hence our excitement to have it commissioned. finally!”