CUSTOMER AND NETWORK OPERATIONS FOR BROAD-BAND AND NARROW-BAND ACCESSNETWORKS

Effective operations of today's access networks based on intelligent, computer-controlled network elements is a key issue. Due to the increa sed complexity of operation and the cost pressure in a competitive tel co environment, a possible answer for these challenges is the introduc tion of sophisticated network operations (network management) technolo gies. On the other side, the costs of customer operations in connectio n with access networks are also very substantial. Any improvement in t his field can increase the capabilities of the access operator to maxi mize the revenue stream. Another issue is that in the near future all operators will be forced to introduce next-generation customer operati on systems simply to be able to survive. This article discusses the ge neral issues of both access network management and customer operations in a tutorial manner.