(continuation of Qs.6 and 8/4)

Motivation

Numerous changes are occurring in the field of telecommunications. These changes happen at the business level, at the services level, at the operations level as well at the technological level. And changes happen also with respect to areas where telecommunications technology is applied.

At the business level, there is an enormous increase in the number of players, traditional and well as non-traditional ones. The business relations between these players are becoming more complex, and also more volatile. There is also the fact that operators which used to offer only the traditional telecommunications services are increasingly transforming themselves into providers of much more advanced information and communication services.

At the services level, we see new services coming very quickly. It is perceived by the operators that the ability to roll out new services in an increasing variety in ever shorter time frames, is a matter of survival.

At the operations level, the fact that telecoms networks are moving towards becoming IT networks impacts the way these networks are operated as there is a shift from the traditional telecoms management and operations approach to the IT management and operations approach. At this level, there is also change introduced by the wish of the operators to delegate management tasks to the consumers of their services.

Last but not least, there are technological developments, like the shift from circuit based to packet based networks and the convergence of mobile and fixed networks. In the area of management technology, the full impact of the introduction of SOA, Service Oriented Architecture, is still only partially understood.

Orthogonal to these changes is the tendency for telecommunication networking technology and functionality to be applied in a significant way in locations which were not long ago completely out of scope. Examples are: RFID Sensor Networks, Home Networks, and the Networked Car.

Intertwined with all these changes, and driving them to a large extent, are the ever increasing expectations by the end users about availability and quality of services.

The response of the telecom industry to these changes is embodied in the concept of the Next Generation Network, NGN.

The introduction of the NGN has a deep impact on service and network management. Specific aspects are the strict separation of the service and the transport stratum, and the availability of multiple access technologies for accessing the same service. To deal with this, the TMN approach, which has been instrumental in aligning the views in the industry on the various aspects of management, needs to evolve.

Recommendations M.3050 and M.3060 provide the context for this evolution. M.3050 describes the processes executed in a service or network provider organization. M.3060 provides the principles and the architectural framework for the management of next generation networks.

This Question is tasked with the study of all the drivers for change, and their impact on service and network management.

This Question is the lead Question for management of the NGN as well as network transitioning to NGN and is responsible for the establishment of the overall framework, coordination and liaison activities. It provides also the point of contact for the JCA on Management.

Question

Study items to be considered include, but are not limited to:

• What is the impact of the changes listed in section 1, and other changes, on service and network management?
• Which extensions are needed to Recommendations M.3050 and M.3060 in order to support the changes described above?
• Which adaptations to other current Recommendations, and which new Recommendations, are needed to document the results of the study under 1)?
• What is the impact of the appearance of IPTV on the NGN Management Framework?
• What is the impact of IdM (Identity Management) on the NGN Management Framework?
•  Which contribution could network and service management provide to the reduction in energy consumption by telecommunication systems and networks?

Tasks

Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Support the work on SG2’s new Recommendation on Next Generation Network and Service Management;
• Maintenance of M.3010;
• Revise Recommendation M.3060);
• Revise Recommendation M.3050 – in close cooperation with the TM Forum
• • the revisions of M.3050 and M.3060 should include the outcome of studies led by the B2B/C2B Question, or other Questions in SG2, on the impact of Customer/user self management, IPTV, Home Networking, and IdM on management processes and architecture;
• Maintain relations with other standards bodies active in the area of service and network management;
• Maintenance and further evolution of the NGN Management Roadmap document and the NGN Management Requirements Analysis and Traceability document;
• Serve as point of contact for, and support, the JCA on Management.

These tasks should be executed, taking into account in a balanced way service providers/network operator’s requirements as well as telecommunications equipment vendor’s requirements.

Question 8/2 is responsible for the following Recommendations: M.3010, M.3017, M.3050 series.

Relationships

Recommendations: SG2 Recommendations in the M, Q, X, Y, and Z series and Recommendation on Next Generation Network and Service Management

Study Groups: 12, 13, 15, 17

Standardization bodies: 3GPP, 3GPP2, ATIS, DMTF, ETSI, IEEE, IETF, MEF, OASIS, TMForum