Abstract: A method for optimizing a self organizing network comprising a plurality of cells. The method comprises monitoring performance measurement data indicative of performance of one or more cells in a group of cells in the network, and monitoring trace data indicative of traffic statistics within the cells of the group. The method comprises generating, from the performance management data and the trace data, a plurality of key performance indicators each indicative of performance of an aspect of a cell in the group, and processing the key performance indicators so as to generate a hotspot value indicative of general performance of the cell in the group. The method comprises comparing the hotspot value with a threshold hotspot value, and if the hotspot value is greater than the threshold hotspot value, processing attribute data from the cells in the group so as to generate cause data indicative of a cause associated with the hotspot value exceeding the hotspot threshold value.

Abstract: A method for assessing performance of a cell in a network in which data is passed between layers in a protocol stack implemented by the cell. The method comprises calculating a data efficiency of data passing through a physical layer in the protocol stack via one or more higher layers in the protocol stack based on a comparison of a number of physical resource data units allocated to that data at the physical layer with a data throughput of one or more of the layers of the protocol stack. The method further comprises calculating an average efficiency by averaging the data efficiency over a predetermined time and normalising the average efficiency with respect to a predetermined efficiency so as to generate a normalised average efficiency. The method also comprises comparing the normalised average efficiency with a target threshold and adjusting the operation of the cell if the normalised average efficiency differs from the target threshold by greater than a threshold amount.

Abstract: A method of processing a model of a telecommunications system including a plurality of access nodes through which communications terminals can communicate data is described.

Abstract: A method of processing a model of a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network. The method includes dividing the network elements of the telecommunications network into a plurality of different groups, for a first of the group of network elements being modelled, loading computer program code representing the group of network elements being modelled into the computer memory and executing the computer program to model the first group of network elements within a first time period. For a subsequent time period the first group of network elements is represented by the amount of network services consumed on the one or more interfaces with the second group of network elements determined within the first time period, whilst loading into the computer memory computer program code to model the second group of network elements.

Abstract: A radio network coverage area provided by a mobile radio network is analysed. The analysis is provided by receiving control messages from a first interface communicated between a base station of the mobile radio network and a radio network controller, the control messages being provided for controlling the communications of the data to or from the mobile terminals via the base station.

Abstract: A communication system is arranged to provide a communication service to a communication terminal. The communication system comprises a packet data network arranged to communicate data packets supporting the communication service to and from the communication terminal via a data path through the packet data network, a path computational element arranged to control the data path, an application server arranged to control the communication service and an internet multimedia sub-system operable to control the application server. The application server is operable to provide the communication service to the communication terminal in response to a registration request transmitted from the communication terminal to the internet protocol multimedia sub-system requesting an establishment of the communication service.