Worldwide revenues indicate a growing TMN product market through 2004

The report entitled "The Global TMN Market: Managing Telecom Networks in the 21st Century," defines TMN in the general sense as any and all telecommunications network-management solutions. But in the specific case, TMN is a standard developed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to create a framework in which to achieve interconnectivity and communications across heterogeneous operating systems and telecommunications networks. TMN specifies a set of standardized protocols that create a layered architecture used for monitoring and management of telecommunications equipment, thus enabling highly complex, multivendor networks to be managed as single cohesive units.

VDC's report indicates that the TMN architecture has been widely accepted in the telecommunications industry. However, the TMN prescribed protocols are seldom implemented and losing support. TMN architecture creates a common language for vendors and service providers to discuss telecommunications management. The five-layered model has created a lexicon for defining, assigning, and creating functionality in a telecommunications-management environment. Awareness, says VDC, is at an all-time high.

Vendors and telecommunications service providers have evolved the TMN concept to encompass the architecture, yet have not embraced the protocol of the original standard. The shift in meaning has not escaped the notice of standards bodies and forums. Efforts are underway to evolve the TMN standard to reflect current industry thinking. Multiple open-standards-based protocols will soon be allowed in the TMN standard, enabling it to continue as an effective telecommunications management model, less hindered by cumbersome protocols.

For more information regarding this report and other VDC services, contact Marc Regberg at (508) 653-9000, fax (508) 653-9836, or e-mail: [email protected].