Abstract: A service planning unit for planning high-level service products to subscribers in a telecommunication network. The service planning unit comprises or is closely connected to 1) a service topology database for storage and on-line distribution of information on service components which are operable to act as components for building high-level services in a network; 2) a service simulation and testing section for providing functions relating to verification of service products; 3) a service deployment section for deploying services in the telecommunication network; 4) a service assurance section for monitoring and reporting of the service products; and 5) a usage reporting section for processing reports on the service products' performance and usage.