Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the compatibility of a selected network feature with the network features of an existing telecommunications network comprises providing an abstraction of each network feature in the form of a data model which defines the relationships between any network elements or nodes, software elements and software features required for each network feature. Information is then collected about the existing telecommunications network to identity the deployment of the network features in the existing network. This information is then combined with the data model to build a feature compatibility matrix which defines the compatibility of network features in the existing telecommunications network. The matrix can then be interrogated with information defining the parameters of the selected feature to be added or upgraded to determine whether the selected feature is compatible with features of the existing network.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the performance of a media streaming service being used to deliver media streams to user equipment devices comprises the step of determining an encoding characteristic of a first media stream being monitored. A functional dependency model is established between a first System Service Key Performance Indicator, S-KPI, and one or more Resource Service Key Performance Indicators, R-KPIs, for the first media stream.
The established functional dependency model is used for monitoring a second media stream having the same encoding characteristic as the first media stream.

Abstract

A method for monitoring performance of a service delivered to user equipment devices via a communications network as perceived by a user comprising the steps of collecting Resource Service Key Performance Indicators from network resources and collecting System Service Key Performance Indicators from a representative sample of reporting user equipment devices using the service. In the next step relationship between the collected values of R-KPIs and S-KPIs is determined and then userr equipment from the representative sample is clustered. In the following step non-reporting user equipment devices are assigned to the clusters and then the method comprises collectmg R-KPIs from network resources to estimate S-KPI values based on the R-KPIs collected after determination of the relationship and the relationship.

Abstract: A method for monitoring performance of a service delivered to user equipment devices via a communications network as perceived by a user comprising the steps of collectingvResource Service Key Performance Indicators from network resources and collecting System Service Key Performance Indicators from a representative sample of reporting user equipment devices using the service. In the next step relationship between the collected values of R-KPIs and S-KPIs is determined and then user equipment from the representative sample is clustered. In the following step non-reporting user equipment devices are assigned to the clusters and then the method comprises collectmg R-KPIs from network resources to estimate S-KPI values based on the R-KPIs collected after determination of the relationship and the relationship.

The invention provides a quality of service monitoring device for use With a user equipment comprising a base platform and an external communication module adapted to receive from an external source one or more listener modules and/or detector modules for incorporation into the base platform. The base platform is coupled to the external communication module to receive one or more listener modules and detector modules and is adapted to install received modules to extend the functionality of the base platform so as to perform the functionality of the installed modules. A corresponding method is provided. There is also provided a quality of service monitoring apparatus, for use on the network side, as well as a corresponding method.