Operations support systems in Italy: experiences and perspectives of integration

The progressive integration of telecommunication networks and services requires a parallel integration of administration operation maintenance and provisioning (AOM&P) activities. Integrated AOM&P support has to be defined with a top-down approach, while the implementation of the integration plan should follow a bottom-up approach. The telecommunication management network (TMN) architecture could provide for a suitable support to this evolution towards the final target, allowing the progressive interconnection of existing and new operations support systems (OSS). The Italian Operating Telephone Company, SIP, has adopted these concepts in defining plans and programs for evolving from the present situation-where a number of dedicated OSS are mechanizing several AOM&P functions-towards an integrated OSS environment to provide for more flexibility, higher quality, and reduced company costs. The support systems SIP has developed so far to operate and manage the telephone network are discussed, and already initiated programs directed towards the development of an integrated system complying with the TMN architecture are described.<>