European ATM service introduction-OSS interconnection between operators

EURESCOM and ETSI EASI have developed an interconnection framework for establishing ATM services across multiple European operators´ ATM networks. This framework provides multilateral agreements covering guidelines, profiles, standards and operational handbooks for ATM network interfaces and telecommunications management network (TMN) X interfaces between operators´ OSSs (operations support system). The primary focus of this paper is the TMN and OSS interconnection aspects of the project. The project concluded that the detailed configuration processes and interfaces between operators were strongly impacted, both technically and commercially, by the traffic and capacity management processes adopted by the roles identified in the associated `business model´. Whilst the context of this work is ATM, the project has also examined the management requirements to support IP services, including MPLS VPNs (virtual private networks), over an ATM backbone