A methodology for designing and evaluating wireless operations support systems

Advancements in wireless technology have fuelled a rapid increase in the use of wireless communications. The increasing reliance by both businesses and individuals on wireless networks in turn underscores the necessity for efficient operations support systems (OSSs) that help maintain their integrity. However, the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the underlying network renders unique challenges in designing appropriate wireless-OSSs (W-OSSs). The design of the OSS is often done on an ad-hoc basis which may not yield consistent results, especially in the wireless network environment. To ensure a consistent W-OSS design, it is critical to use a formal methodology, for only when the operations' processes, information flows and linkages are clearly defined and understood is it possible to develop efficient W-OSSs. We propose a design framework/methodology based on TMF (Tele-Management Forum) and TMN (telecommunications management networks) guidelines that can be used to derive detailed process descriptions for each of the W-OSS components. The proposed methodology is valuable in designing appropriate W-OSSs for wireless (2G and emerging 3G) networks and can also be used to evaluate existing W-OSS. Both network managers and wireless carriers can use this methodology to design W-OSS products and to evaluate W-OSSs, providing useful insights into their performance.