The rapid adoption of gigabit LTE on the path to 5G is one of several mega-trends shaping the way carriers plan, deploy, monitor and manage networks. The telecom industry is undergoing major transitions including the move from physical to hybrid to virtual networks built on network functions virtualization and software-define network solutions, the increasing convergence of wireless and wireline networks, and densification of both indoor and outdoor networks.
Given these concurrent evolutions, the role of service assurance–using network data points to make sure subscribers receive the best possible quality of experience while helping operators get the most out of investments–is also evolving.