Using discrete event simulation to reduce operational expenses for a telecom operator

Capital expenditures for a network operator have often and in high detail been considered in different studies. In contrast there are little or no studies in which a detailed (quantitative) study is made on operational expenditures (OpEx). Existing studies on operational expenditures for network operators propose classification and models for existing operational processes and are aimed at a cost calculation (based on averages of time and resource consumption). While such studies allow comparing different technologies or operational solutions to each other, they allow no optimization of the existing projects. Additionally they also neglect the clear and important link of an operational process and several timing aspects and constraints. For instance typical telecom service level agreements often cite maximum downtime or handling time.