Managing cellular networks in the 1990s

Summary form only given, as follows. The cellular phone business began barely five years ago with first generation systems in the 30 major metropolitan areas. These early systems consisted of a number of cell sites grouped around the local MTSO. They were frequently managed by inexperienced teams that found rudimentary ways to support operations, administration, and maintenance either manually or through the mechanized tools that were available. These challenges fell roughly into the three categories of customer services, traditional telephone company operations, and the newer discipline of RF engineering. These areas have matured today and are growing beyond the early tools that supported them. It is argued that over the next five years, cellular networks will evolve to include digital transmission, wide-area paging with extensive system interconnections, and the potential for enhanced services using integrated voice and data and bandwidth on demand. Planning is currently under way for an enhanced set of tools necessary to support this next generation of cellular systems and networks. That future generation, and the technology of the tools needed to keep pace with it, are discussed.<>