Residential Telecom Audits
https://www.intertek.com/content/dam/IntertekITP_UKCPDirector-Residential-Telecom-Audits_UCM225195_enb.pdf
This article explains the need for auditing residential telecom systems in regards to security, cost and risk, and gives a brief overview of how to carry out an audit using Intertek’s Limited Liability Company (LLC) model. This is important for you as the business owner or manager due to the fact that there are very specific requirements for carrying out any type of residential telecom system audit by state utility commissions and regulators, according to author Michael Gravelyn.
Audit Telecom Systems Residential: Home and Business Audits, News and Updates
https://www.audittelecom.com/residential-business-audits/
This website is a service of Intertek's Residential & Business auditing group, which includes their Residential Technology Services (RTS), Audited Telecom Systems (ATS), and DSL Quality Services (DSLQS) groups. "The goal of all these groups is to provide residential and business customers with the highest level of service while assuring they are receiving the most value for their telecom dollars.
Residential telecom auditing is a detailed process designed for residential subscribers and includes analysis of all aspects of their home or business telephone service, such as equipment, wiring, electrical, fire suppression, safety systems and telecommunications equipment. This makes it an important part of the company’s overall quality assurance program.
The audit typically encompasses three different types of audits: pre-sale review; post-sale review and training; and post-sales service contract review."
In summary the Audited Telecom System audit is a useful tool in the Intertek's Audited Telecom Systems group (ATS) quality assurance program. It's an invaluable tool for network managers and telecom security consultants. We discuss this in more detail on our blog. Audited Telecom Systems (ATS)
https://www.intertek.com/content/dam/ukcpdirector-audited-telecom-systems_UCM225195_enb.pdf
To learn more about auditing residential telecom systems, consult the Intertek document referenced above and review the featured articles on this site for additional information on the subject.
Another useful resource is the report titled "Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in Residential Telecommunication Systems Audits: An Assessment of Regulatory Perspectives" by Eric L. Mix, Miles Sinek & Susan Purdy from the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA).
https://www.nastuca.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Mixed-NASUCA-Report_Final-Web-PDF.pdf
When asked for comment regarding the value of the residential telecom auditing process, Intertek’s RTS group responded: "Since the residential telecom audit is an integral part of our Quality System (QS) Program, we will continue to advocate for the value of auditing residential telecom systems through all public forums including legislative bodies where such issues are being discussed.
The Audited Telecom Systems program is under the direction of Michael Gravelyn, a certified public accountant and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As part of his role at Intertek and in conjunction with his previous experience, he has been engaged as a consultant to state utility commissions and regulatory agencies, as well as local government organizations to provide valuable insight into the processes involved in auditing residential telecom systems.
http://www.sutca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016-SUTCA-AnnualReport1.pdf
"This author maintains an extensive expertise in the areas of risk assessment and regulatory compliance for both wireless and wireline telecommunications.
In addition, Mr. Gravelyn has also served as a technical advisor to those commission staff that prepare regulations and rulemaking documents related to telephone systems, cable television, and utility operations. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Wireless Broadband Communications Association (WBCA), which promotes the use of broadband technology." In addition he is a member of several technical societies including: Telecommunications Infrastructure Advisory Council (TIAC) International; IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS) where is active on committees; and he serves as co-editor/peer reviewer for two international journals. http://www.sutca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016-SUTCA-AnnualReport1.pdf
"While there are many interpretations of the meaning of a telecommunications system audit, it is often summed up as: "The process of evaluating the quality and effectiveness of a telecommunications system."
A telecom system can perform many different functions, such as providing voice telephone service or cable television services. It can be a single server that serves many customers' needs or it could be a complex network that has multiple servers and customer locations distributed around the world. The goal of an audited telecom system audit is to ensure that these systems are functioning properly to provide adequate support for their intended purpose.
Telecom system audits are often conducted to proactively prevent the problems that systems can create for both customers and for the providers who support them via network operations. There are also many regulatory agencies who require telecom system audits as a way of ensuring that service providers are providing adequate levels of service and that they are operating within the terms of their licenses. In many cases, telecom system audits can also be used to provide a certification of compliance with local and state regulations."
http://www.sutca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016-SUTCA-AnnualReport1.pdf
In addition, RTS is proud to announce its new Telecom Auditing Certification Program (TACP).
http://www.intertek.com/en/content/audited-telecom-systems_UCM283495_enb.pdf
"Intertek has created the TACP to expand and improve its current audited telecom system audit process. The goal of the expanded program is to provide additional value to our clients through increased focus on training and technical consulting as part of the overall auditing process."
http://www.intertek.com/en/content/audited-telecom-systems_UCM283495_enb.pdf
A video about Intertek's residential telecom auditing service may be viewed at this website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fYFdNBgHxU
Additional information on auditing residential telecom systems may be obtained from this site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI3qrKPXpJE
Intertek's Quality System (QS) Program is routinely audited by external, third party reports to ensure that the processes and procedures meet the highest levels of quality management standards required by C-TPAT, FIPS 201 and FIPS 140-2. These audits provide Intertek with an objective third party review of its QS implementation, which helps ensure that we consistently deliver high quality products and services to customers.
http://www.
Conclusion
The Intertek Quality System (QS) Program provides a quality framework for Intertek's operations to maximize the value of our products and services. This program is rooted in an understanding that delivering quality products and services to customers is one of Intertek's core values.
Intertek has a well-developed QS Program that provides a comprehensive, effective process for identifying, preventing, measuring and resolving potential quality issues throughout the organization. This program is often audited by external, third party reports to ensure that the processes and procedures meet the highest levels of quality management standards required by C-TPAT, FIPS 201 and FIPS 140-2."
http://www.intertek.