Mandatory Modules:

1 - Network Technologies and Services

• The 3GSM Network Reviewed
• Transmission - Connecting the network together
• PDH, SDH, DWDM, Leased Lines
• Transport and switching technologies
• ATM
• IP
• Frame Relay
• Signalling and Control
• SS7
• Billing Systems
• Operations and maintenance
• Messaging Systems
• SMS & EMS
• MMS
• Voicemail
• Location Based Services
• Access to Content
• WAP Portals
• Internet Content
• IN and CAMEL
• Open Service Access
• The Operational Support System (OSS) and Business Support System (BSS)
• IP network infrastructure
• Convergence and the evolving network

2 - Planning an Effective Network

• Coverage, Capacity, and Quality Defined
• The License and Regulatory Issues
• Key Performance Indicators
• Radio Network Planning
• GSM
• GPRS
• W-CDMA
• Transmission in the Radio Network
• Core Network Planning
• Circuit Switched
• Packet Switched
• Transmission in the Core Network
• IP Technology as a Transport System
• An Integrated Core Network and the IP Multimedia Subsystem
• Planning the Service Provision
• Resilience, Redundancy and Backup Systems
• Billing Issues
• Standard Third Party Interfaces
• Security and Fraud

3 - Regulation, Roaming and Partnering

• The Regulatory Environment
• Technology Choices and Associated Licenses
• Competition Issues
• Standardisation
• Industry Bodies
• The GSM Association and IREG
• The Mechanics of:
• Voice Roaming
• GPRS Roaming
• Messaging and Roaming
• Billing in the Roaming Scenario
• Roaming Partners
• Reciprocal Agreements
• Roaming Interoperability
• Service Partners
• Partner Branding
• Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)
• 3^rd Party Service providers – Interconnections, Billing, Security, and APIs
• The User Perspective

4 - Operating Effectively

• The Business Environment
• The Operational Environment
• The Basic Requirements – Operational and Administrative
• Internal Organisation
• Major Divisions and Responsibilities
• Key Functions
• Interrelationships
• Processes and Procedure Flows
• Marketing and Sales
• Provisioning
• Engineering Processes
• Fault Reporting and Rectification
• Billing and Charging
• Customer Care Facilities
• Operational Support
• Business Support
• Business Systems
• Operational Systems
• Operations and Maintenance
• The Role and Scope of OSS and BSS
• The TMF and eTOM
• Current and Legacy OSS / BSS Systems
• Topologies and Infrastructure
• Customer Care and OSS
• NGOSS Explained

Optional Modules:

A - Advanced Radio

• The Electromagnetic Wave, Radio Spectrum and Propagation
• FDMA, TDMA and CDMA Principles
• Cellular principles and the C/I ratio
• Path Loss and Cell Planning Tools
• Typical Cell Configurations
• Cell Structure for W-CDMA
• For GSM, GPRS, EDGE and W-CDMA:
• Physical Channels – Structure and Use
• Logical Traffic and signalling channels (including Multiframe Structures)
• The Protocol Stacks Explained
• Procedures, including:
• Radio Resource Procedures
• Mobility Management Procedures
• Connection Management Procedures
• SMS Procedures
• Example Signaling Sequences
• Power Control Techniques
• Handovers / Cell Reselections
• Location Determination
• The Radio Planning Processes – GSM, GPRS (Different C/Ss), and EDGE
• W-CDMA Planning Techniques
• Increasing Capacity in a W-CDMA System
• The Layered Approach
• Optimisation Techniques

B - Advanced Core Network

• Circuit Switched Domain
• Core Network Elements and Their Functions
• Interfaces and Associated Protocols
• The MSC, HLR, VLR, GLR, AUC, EIR, and MLC in Detail
• Messaging, and its Integration
• The GPRS Core Network
• Network Architecture and Network Elements
• GPRS Support Nodes, Interfaces and Operation
• IN and CAMEL
• Transmission and Transport Technologies – Ethernet, ATM, Frame Relay, PDH, SDH, Optical / DWDM, Token Ring
• The move to All-IP Networks
• IP Technology Explained
• IPv4 and Ipv6
• IP Operation and the Related Protocols
• QoS Mechanisms – ATM, MPLS, DiffServ, IntServ, RSVP
• Voice Over IP
• Softswitch Principles, the Media Gateway, Signalling and SIGTRAN
• The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and SIP
• IMS Architecture and Procedures
• Session Initiation Protocol and Session Description Protocol
• Streaming / Advanced Media Support
• Making the Transition from IPv4 to IPv6 – Dual IP Layers, Tunneling
• Addressing and the use of E.164 numbering scheme - ENUM Protocol

C - Security and Fraud Prevention (TBC)

• Security Considerations
• Types of Network Attacks
• Security and the Network Architecture
• The Radio Interface
• The Network
• The Subscriber Identity Module
• The Authentication Centre
• Standard Authentication Procedure
• Standard Encryption
• Types Available
• Procedures
• Protecting Network Data
• Service Misuse
• Repudiation
• Commercial Confidentiality
• IP and Security
• Transport Layer Security (TLS)
• Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS)
• IPSec (IP Security)
• Secure Connections and Virtual Private Networks
• Internet Key Exchange (IKE)
• Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
• Radius (Authentication, Authorisation and Accounting)
• Diameter and AAA
• Fraud and Fraud Prevention
• Fraud and the Billing System
• Revenue Assurance
• Voucher Management
• Managing the Network
• Anti Fraud Systems and Platforms
  
  

D - OSS / BSS and Billing Integration

• OSS, BSS and Billing – An Overview
• The Role And Scope of OSS and BSS
• Processes and Procedures
• The TMF and eTOM
• Current And Legacy OSS / BSS Systems
• The Supporting Networks
• The Platform (Capacity, Scalability, Features, Cost, Compatibility)
• Customer Care And OSS
• Focus On OSS
• The Operational Environment & OSS Supported Areas
• Systems And Technologies
• Processes And Procedure Flows
• Evaluating The OSS Solution
• Next Generation OSS
• Focus On BSS
• The Business Environment and BSS Supported Areas
• Business Systems
• Processes And Procedure Flows
• Evaluating The BSS Solution
• Integrating BSS And OSS
• Effective OSS / BSS Infrastructure
• Billing Systems
• Supporting Different Types of Billing
• Billing System Requirements
• Architecture and Interfaces
• An Integrated Solution
• Equipment Manufacturers and Areas of Expertise          

E - Marketing, Branding and Services

• Setting Strategy and Direction
• Measuring Performance – Net Adds, ARPU
• Segmenting the Market
• Regional Issues
• Handsets
• Service Types
• Voice Based
• Data Services
• Messaging
• Content and Media
• Adding Value for the User
• Accessing the Services
• Increasing Revenue
• Evaluating Customer Needs
• Loyalty / Churn Issues
• Establishing a Brand
• Marketing Campaigns – Examples

F - Handsets, Services, Media and Content Distribution

• Terminals – The Requirement
• Capabilities and Limitations
• Operating Systems
• Analysis – Current Handsets
• Standard and Supplementary Services
• Voice & Data
• Freephone, Premium, National, Local Rate Calling
• Billing Features and Services
• Content and Downloads
•  Content Type
• Internet Access
• Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
• Messaging
• Short Message Services
• Instant Messaging
• E-Mail
• Media Types
• Media Delivery Platforms
• Roaming and Interoperability
• Security
• Billing Aspects

G – Advanced IP

• IP Protocol Review
• TCP / IP Protocol Suite
• IP Addressing
• IP Applications
• FTP
• HTML / XML
• e-Mail
• IP Security
• AAA / RADIUS / DIAMETER
• Virtual Private Networks
• Encryption Systems
• IP in Mobile Networks
• GPRS
• UMTS
• IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)
• IMS Services
• IMS Architecture
• Voice over IP
• VoIP Architecture
• SIP and H.323
• Dimensioning a Multimedia IP Network
• Factors Affecting Capacity
• Dimensioning for QoS

Module Structure:

Each Module is made up of written material, coursework (questions, worked examples and research), regular self-marked exercises (in the form of multiple choice questions), and tutor support.

Written material provided will be nominally between 70 – 100 A4 pages, and (with exercises, worked examples, and tests), require 20 hours work per module / month.

Administration:

Material will be delivered in hard-copy format at appropriate intervals. Modules are available in soft copy via our website.

An optional face-to-face question and answer session will be held mid point in the course. Although not compulsory, the session allows participants to meet the tutor(s) and other participants, and for participants to review and consolidate coursework, and facilitates questions / answers.

A Course Director will provide technical support and a consistent point of contact for participants throughout the course, and will also oversee the marking of any tutor set assignments.

Assessment:

Criteria for student assessment are based on a Final Examination. Examinations are Web-Based using an appropriate adjudicator.

In addition, module self tests are provided throughout the course in order that progress can be measured.