Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT


What SA auditors should know about ISO certification

EMP 2025 Electronics Manufacturing & Production Handbook Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

Earlier this year, Namibia’s Mega Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) became the first telecoms firm in the SADC region to achieve full certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Even more impressively, it achieved certification for six standards simultaneously.

The ISO, which comprises standards bodies from more than 160 countries, is responsible for setting uniform standards for companies and organisations worldwide.

Muhammad Ali, managing director of South African ISO specialist World Wide Industrial & Systems Engineers (WWISE), welcomed MTC’s achievement and thoroughness in becoming ISO compliant. Ali believes far too many industry players – particularly those in emerging markets like South Africa – have used ISO certification to cut corners.

“Concerns around this began to emerge globally around the early 2010s when the rapid expansion of the telecoms sector exposed inconsistencies in governance. Some companies pursued certification to meet market expectations or regulatory requirements without making substantial operational changes, leading to superficial conformance,” he says.

He adds that ISO management representatives working for telecom companies must be informed about effective implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement toolsets. “This is why you find consultants pushing their own agendas, using the standards and audits to increase their scope [of influence].”

According to Ali, the most significant gaps that allow companies and consultants to hide behind meaningless ISO certifications include:

• Inconsistent auditing standards: While certification bodies are supposed to adhere to strict guidelines, there can be variability in how rigorously different auditors apply the standards.

• Incompetent auditors: Auditors must gain the requisite experience or industry code to audit effectively.

• Auditor intimidation: Larger corporations can be intimidating to certification bodies, so even when auditors encounter problems with systems, processes, and risk strategies that are not effectively implemented, they are not brought to the fore. Many certification bodies also cannot afford to lose their clients, which compromises the integrity of the certification process.

• Lack of oversight by regulatory bodies: Limited monitoring can allow companies to maintain certifications without continuously adhering to best practices.

• Weak internal controls: Some telecom companies may not prioritise embedding ISO standards in their operational culture, leading to ‘tick-box’ conformance rather than genuine improvements.

Ali says that with these practices being too commonplace, auditors must be equipped with the skills to differentiate between genuine ISO conformance and superficial efforts.

One way to do this is via effective second-party audits. This involves suppliers being audited against the relevant ISO standard to verify their ability to deliver on mandates and understand the full spectrum and scope of products and services. Once evaluated, there needs to be an independent re-evaluation of a supplier’s performance according to strict service level agreements, with penalties for poor governance, fraud, corruption, and consequence management.

He points to a review of audit trails as the second factor. Detailed records showing how standards are applied, monitored, and adjusted will reflect genuine conformance.

“Another way to separate the genuine from the superficial is to evaluate operational integration. ISO standards should be embedded in the company’s processes, not only in documentation but in real-world practices,” Ali says.

“Auditors should also engage with staff at all levels of a company. This will inevitably reveal whether ISO procedures are being implemented properly or if they exist only on paper. Finally, a company with superficial certification will likely will not be able to show active efforts to refine or enhance its processes in line with ISO standards.”

For more information visit www.wwise.co.za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

The trends driving uptake of IoT Platform as a Service
Trinity IoT Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
IoT platforms, delivered as a service, are the key that will enable enterprises to leverage a number of growing trends within the IT space, and access a range of benefits that will help them grow their businesses.

Read more...
RF power amplifier
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The ZHL-20M2G7025X+ from Mini-Circuits is a 32 W power amplifier that operates from 20 to 2700 MHz and delivers a saturated output power of +45 dBm.

Read more...
Introducing the Quectel EG800Z series
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The EG800Z series is Quectel’s latest ultra-compact LTE Cat 1 bis module, designed to deliver reliable connectivity, low power consumption, and robust performance across a wide range of IoT applications.

Read more...
NeoMesh on LoRa
CST Electronics Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Thomas Steen Halkier, CEO of NeoCortec, recently gave a keynote speech where he spoke about “NeoMesh on LoRa: Bringing true mesh networking to the LoRa PHY”.

Read more...
Modules upgraded with Direct-to-Cell tech
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions has announced that several of its LTE modules are now available with Direct-to-Cell (D2C) functionality, enabling devices to seamlessly connect to satellite networks.

Read more...
USB/Ethernet smart RF power sensor
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The PWR-18PWHS-RC from Mini-Circuits is an RF power sensor that operates from 50 MHz to 18 GHz and is designed to capture pulsed and trace modulated signals with very high data resolution.

Read more...
Tiny Bluetooth LE + 802.15 + NFC module
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Unleashing enhanced processing power, expanded memory, and innovative peripherals, the BL54L15µ from Ezurio is the ultimate choice for small and low power connectivity.

Read more...
AI modules for edge intelligence
Otto Wireless Solutions Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
SIMCom has introduced two new entry-level AI computing modules, the SIM8668 and SIM8666, designed to bring intelligent capabilities to lightweight, energy-efficient edge devices.

Read more...
High performance ISM antennas
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions has announced the launch of two new high performance ISM antennas, designed to meet the need for wireless communication in devices that operate in the industrial and commercial applications.

Read more...
Quad-band high-precision positioning module
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions has recently announced the launch of the LG680P, a multi-constellation, quad-band GNSS module designed to deliver high-precision positioning across a wide range of applications.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved