OSS/BSS stands for Operations Support / Business Support Systems, platforms that aid telecommunications service providers in managing networks and the service order experience for customers, with functions from service provisioning, network configuration, fault management, inventory management, and order management.
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Operational support systems (OSS) are used by telecommunications (telco) providers to monitor, control, analyze, and provide the technical support for interface functionality. Business support systems (BSS) help run a provider's business operations, assuring customer satisfaction and revenues gain.
Together, OSS and BSS communicate to support customer-facing activities and various end-to-end telecommunication services. Both possess their own specific data and service responsibilities to assure providers meet network fulfillment requirements.
Telco companies use OSS/BSS to:
Optimize network interface
Fine-tune network services for a defined a geographical area
Maintain the mobile and fixed infrastructure of the network
Administer provider services to network customers
Buyers should check any existing software or services for suite-style offerings that already include OSS/BSS capabilities. Products in the following categories can be cross-referenced for similar products:
OSS/BSS features are typically used by network architects and engineers to monitor, maintain, manage, and optimize network systems. OSS and BSS work in tandem. An OSS shares customer orders, network faults, and service assurance data; and a BSS processes that data to meet fulfillment requirements.
Standard features in OSS are:
Network configuration & provisioning
Fault management
Overlay networking (SDN overlay)
Post/Pre-Paid systems
Service Request management
Standard features in BSS are:
Service provisioning
Revenue management (billing)
Delivery of services administration
When comparing OSS/BSS products, consider the system’s capacity to launch quick and cost-efficient services that keep up with optimization demands. Telco companies provide phone and internet services to a defined geographic range that may be developed over time. To provide consistent and quality service, network engineers and architects must plan, build, and continuously optimize their network interface and infrastructure.
The ease of use and integration capabilities of existing products should also be considered when evaluating OSS/BSS products. Fragmentation is avoided and the quality of the network is improved when OSS and BSS communicate efficiently. Other notable factors include deployment options, support systems, or training opportunities.
OSS/BSS systems rely on a client-centric model. They must differentiate service strategies to assure agile deployment of new services, so price ranges depend on a network's needs.
Standard OSS/BSS features are accessible on open source or cloud-based solutions, starting at $2-$10 per month. More complex OSS/BSS systems with revenue tracking and network monitoring features require contacting vendors for quotes.
Larger operators with global networks or civic responsibilities may cost thousands to millions of dollars for a single licensing fee with an annual subscription.
The following price ranges are approximate estimates:
Tier 1 (global) operators: $20MM+
Tier 2/3 (regional or IP transit) operators: $1MM - $10MM
Utilities (civic areas): $500k - $10MM
Large enterprise: $500k – 5MM
Medium enterprise: $100k – 2MM
Small enterprise: $1300 - $10k+
Cloud-based operations: $0 - $10+
The best OSS/BSS products on the market are:
