Next Generation Mobile Communications Ecosystem: Technology Management for Mobile Communications

8

Core Networks and Operations Support Systems

8.1 Introduction

Core Network (CN) and Operations Support Systems (OSS) are the two network components that are discussed in this chapter. The details of 3GPP Core Network evolution from Release 99 to Release 8 are provided which show a transition from circuit switched to packet switched and reduction in the number of core network elements. This migration from a mix of circuit switched and packet switched (Rel-99) to all IP packet switched core (Rel-8) is of keen interest not only to the industry but also to academia. The core networks of 3GPP2, MBWA, and WiMAX systems are also briefly discussed. In the following section some key enhancements in the core network for example Next Generation HLR and Generic Authentication Architecture will be highlighted.

The CN study will be followed by the OSS details and analysis. Still today, OSS is not receiving as much attention as compared to the rest of the elements of the network. The operators are still more focused on the evolution of radio, transport and core networks than OSS. The ITU-T started an active role in the 1990s and provided principles of Telecommunications Management Network. Later on Telecommunication Management Forum was established in 1988 to streamline the different ITU-T and third party OSS approaches and to provide a common platform to the operators, vendors, software developers and system integrators. We will start by providing some background info on OSS, describe the ...