Globalization of the telecommunications industry is one of the forces driving the need to apply a common set of quality requirements throughout the supply chain. Overlapping standards and audits are confusing and are escalating the cost of doing business on a global scale to unacceptable levels.

The QuEST Forum took its lead from similar worldwide efforts by the automotive and aerospace industries to develop sector - specific requirements using ISO 9000 as a baseline. QuEST Forum decided on a more inclusive approach than the U.S. automobile industry where the Big Three simply prescribed the QS -9000 industry standards to the supplier base. From the beginning , QuEST Forum included more than 150 suppliers such as Motorola , Nokia , NEC , Alcatel , Ericson. AT&T Etc..

Benefits Overview

It is the intent of the QuEST Forum that compliance to TL 9000 will eliminate the need for compliance to other telecommunications quality management industry standards. The benefits expected from implementation of a quality system based on TL 9000 include :

• Continuous improvement of service to subscribers
• Enhanced customer / supplier relationships
• Standardization of quality system requirements , worldwide
• Uniform performance and cost - based metrics
• Efficient management of external audits and site visits
• Overall cost reduction and increased competitiveness
• Enhanced competitive position for conforming suppliers
• Enhanced management and improvement of subcontractor performance
• Creation of a platform for improvement initiatives

Unlike situations in other industry sectors, special knowledge and experience are required to establish effective quality systems in the filed of automotive industry as with companies such as Koyo Steering, Sanyo Semiconductors, NEC, Hitachi Chemical Automotive Product, Bridgestone NCR etc.

Usually a lot of time, efforts and investment are required to establish and implement systems related to Product & Process Development, Set Up & Trial Operation, Process Control, After Services and especially Product Reliability in field of 3C industry (Computer, Communication & Consumer Industry). TL 9000 focuses on reduction of quality cost and on problem prevention rather than detection.