A few years back, whether 3G networks would become a reality was a big question. Such doubts have died down with more than 160 million UMTS/3G subscribers around the globe and network deployments underway.
Changing subscriber expectations are the main driver of this transition. Today’s consumers are no longer satisfied with simple voice services. They want the “always-on” connectivity and mobility they have come to expect from the internet as well as access to advanced data services like the mobile web, mobile instant messaging, social networking, gaming, multimedia services and video on demand. To tap into the revenue streams the new generation of services are creating, operators need speed and bandwidth that second-generation networks cannot deliver.
With its improved spectral efficiency, UMTS enables operators to meet the demand for bandwidth-hungry applications, but the technology’s price tag is high. As a result, most providers are deploying UMTS/3G technology incrementally, creating islands of 3G in a 2/2.5G network ocean. These hybrid networks are more difficult to plan, optimize and manage. They require operators to shift their focus from basic network monitoring to advanced systems capable of overseeing end-to-end network connectivity and services.
With 3G, quality of service (QoS) becomes a major differentiator in a highly competitive market and requires a complete understanding of the subscriber experience and service management. The convergence of voice, video and data increases network complexity dramatically, creating the need for a system capable of monitoring across all of the technologies.
Operating hybrid networks requires operators to support a variety of technologies and interconnections between multiple domains. Each new technology introduces new interfaces and protocols. To deliver mixed services, providers have to support a greater number of network elements to blend real-time services such as voice and video with non real-time applications like presence, availability and user preferences.