OSS responsibilities

We are all familiar with technological advances that have transformed the t elecommunications industry in recent history. Why, it was only last millenn ium that the simplicity of digital signalling replaced the click-whirr of a nalogue pulses. With all these advances, we have taken for granted that sophisticated mecha nisms exist behind the scenes to support the operation of the services we u se. Your derails are all filed on a computer somewhere. Whatever your provi der needs to know about you, and the way you use the service, is all availa ble at the touch of a button if they need it. Isn't it? This paper explores the story behind the scenes. In an exciting industry, k een to try out new ideas, and often racing to gain from new technology, we look at the race to keep support systems up to the task of handling new mar ket offerings.