Mapping Your NetworkObservations & Trends

Kevin Challen

Practice Head – Infotech

• Next Generation Network (NGN), such as

FTTx / Cable / Backhaul / Core…

• Need accurate records to accurately plan the network

• The three C’s is our mantra

Concurrency

Completeness

Consistency

So what's mapping your Telco network for:

So Why do we need to do this

• Why – well we need to:

• Reduce Truck Roll – Anecdotal evidence indicates the many

Service Providers will perform some type of physical survey.

• Better understand the existing network topology, so as to

better utilize as much of the existing network

as possible.

• Be able to visualize the location of

key network elements to better plan

the new network

• Provide accurate records to

other Utilities and relevant organisations..

But we already have a great network data set !

• Well that’s excellent news, but ask some questions:

• When was it originally captured ?

• What was the quality at the point/time of

capture ?

• What’s happened since ?

• How is the on-going quality of the data

managed and measured ?

• The evidence is that the data in these models will

deteriorate over time…

the question is by how much ?

Some Evidence

• In a number of cases we have seen

a systemic problem with the network records.

• Poor source Data

• Validation of the network build out – 40/50% error

• On-going quality measurement

• Bottle neck in Recording

• Some other issues:

• Often focus is on functionality rather than quality tools, and

while PNI is an excellent tool there is still a chance of poor

data being recorded.

• As the network complexity increases; can the workforce

keep up with the technology changes…. People

Yes but it’s the best we have:

• Is it supporting the business ?

• Where else can we go for additional information ?

• How can we ensure that what we put into PNI is CCC ?

• The rate of change is going to be

exponential in terms of network churn.

• Need to follow the Process…… and

the data..

What else can we do:

• Well we can ensure that the data being fed into PNI is

accurate.

• Data from the “Build Out” needs to be better.

• Often the resources use different technology to record field data

• Resource Orientation, Tools and Standards.

• Need to ensure that the engineering and recording standards are

well defined, and reflect the business requirements

• Build Better Data.

• Alternative data sources – what additional

data can be added…..

• Maintain the Data

• On-going maintenance

OK lets get a plan together

But lets look at some Trends:

• Inventory management is going to be a combination of

both logical and physical networks – Discuss….

• GIS WILL play a critical role in this model, in fact its

role will/is expanding.

• Data is and always has been key and the real value of

spatial data is being recognised by businesses and

any short comings are being addressed.

A Plan

• Realise that Inventory data is about the logical and

physical network,

• Need to establish some

“Common Language”

• There are TMF standards for this.

• With the increase in Network

churn, we must rationalise

our existing processes to drive efficiency.

• Need to look at the end to end process not the technology.

• People

• We have often underestimated the training and orientation

required to ensure we maximise the potential of PNI.