Converged Service Experience in Next Generation Networks

Abstract

Written by Shyam Mardikar, Vice President - Network Services for Bharti Airtel Limited in India, Converged Service Experience in Next Generation Networks (NGN) provides the reader with an excellent evaluation of converged services issues from an experienced mobile operator executive perspective.

Deploying NGN applications and services are not trivial. Learn the differences, issues and challenges of deploying NGN applications versus traditional services delivery models. Benefit from the experience and insights of Mr. Mardikar and avoid the potential pitfalls. People interested in this publication will also be interested in Next Generation Network OSS/BSS Market & Forecast from Mind Commerce.

Target audience

• Vendors and suppliers of Next Generation Network applications, services, solutions, and operational support services (OSS).
• Personnel responsible for implementation and/or operation of Next Generation Network applications and services.
• Wireless service providers and cellular network operators interested in learning more about implementation and operation issues from an end-user service experience perspective.

Additional Value in this Publication

Technical Overview of OSS and BSS in NGNs: This section begins with an introduction to OSS and BSS and their roles in the operator environment. It explains the various blocks that go into building of the OSS: Network elements, events, alarms and others. It next explains the BSS building blocks: Billing, rating, mediation, charging, customer care and others. This section is followed by the description of prevalent industry approaches like TMN - FCAPS model that are widely followed by operators. The section then analyzes the technical impact of NGN on OSS and BSS architectures.

Vendor Analysis: Profiles of 35 vendors offering OSS/BSS products and services for next generation networks. This section first explains the basis of vendor selection including vendor classification, innovative contribution, market leadership position and future growth path. Each vendor is then analyzed in the light of its product and solution portfolio, major implementations, differentiating aspects with other vendors and their future plans. The report includes recommendations to vendors including diversification, best practices, market segment, and solution approach.

Operator Case Study - British Telecom (BT): This section evaluates BT relative to its OSS and BSS initiatives with respect to its three principle lines of business, vendors involved, platform, and current approach to implementation.

Quantitative Analysis and Forecast: This section begins with a detailed explanation of the research methodology. Quantitative analysis includes measurable items such as billing systems, network management systems and their sub-classes (mediation, wholesale billing, retail billing, CRM, revenue assurance, resource management, task management, delivery management, synchronization management) along with geographical segmentation, trends and projections. Importantly, the quantitative analysis assesses the impact of various drivers and issues on the above measurable items, thus forming a logical conclusion of the quantitative discussion in the previous sections.

Note: This section represents a comprehensive forecast including Forecast Methodology by Overall OSS and BSS Software Market, Split by OSS and by BSS separately, by geography (NA, EMEA, CALA, and APAC), and by modular break-up including: Network Planning and Engineering (NPE), Fault Management (FM), Performance Management (PM), Provisioning and Service Activation (PSA), Inventory Management (IM), Billing and Customer Care (B&CC), Mediation (MD), and Revenue Assurance (RA). The section also includes OSS/BSS Vendor Rakings Based on Net Profit Margins.

Target Audience

• Network operator managers tasked with making long-term architecture and support system decisions including vendor decisions
• Product management personnel concerned with the impact of OSS and BSS systems on next generation application and services rollout such as IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and technology and/or application frameworks or platforms
• Managers and Directors tasked with OSS responsibilities and anyone that is involved in OSS/BSS decision making
• Vendors, suppliers, and service providers to network operators interested in their prospects for selling into the carrier marketplace
• Network and Engineering personnel seeking specific information such as leading OSS/BSS Approaches including as OSS/J, OSA/Parlay, MDA, Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). This publication has both business/market information and technical information!

List of Figures and Illustrations

Figure 1 - Vertical to horizontal integration

Figure 2 - Changing Cost Points

Figure 3 - Striving to perfection

Figure 4 - Death of music on media

Figure 5 - The m commerce reference model

Figure 6 - Merging a service area and service based license to a convergent license

Figure 7 - DRM Process