GSM - Architecture, Protocols and Services, Third Edition

Appendix B. Aspects of network operation

For the efficient and successful operation of a modern communication network such as a GSM PLMN, comprehensive Network Management (NM) is mandatory. NM encompasses all functions and activities which control, monitor and record the usage and resource performance of a telecommunication network, with the objective of offering the subscribers telecommunication services of a certain objective level of quality. Various aspects of quality are either defined and prescribed in standards or laid down in operator-specific definitions. Special attention has to be paid to the gap between (mostly simple) measurable technical performance data of the network and the QoS experienced (subjectively) by the subscriber. Modern NM systems should therefore also include (automated) capabilities to accept reports and complaints from subscribers and convert them into measures to be taken by NM (e.g. trouble ticketing systems).

Objectives of GSM NM

Along with the communication network which realizes the services with its functional units (MS, BSS, MSC, HLR, VLR), one needs to operate a corresponding NM system for support and administration. This NM system is responsible for operation and maintenance of the functional PLMN units and the collection of operational data. The operational data comprise all of the measurement data which characterize performance, load, reliability and usage of the network elements, including times of usage by individual subscribers, which are ...