Management of service products in a network

A service topology database for storing and distributing information on service components which are operable to acts as components for building high-level services in a network, the service topology database comprising:

• a) network service component data comprising for each of several network service components:
• identification information;
• status information;
• usage information;
• and
• parameter information indicating how the component can be parameterized to suit different service products;
• b) relationships between service components, the relationships indicating restrictions related to use of components for a service product;
• c) service product data comprising for each of several service products:
• identification information;
• status information;
• usage information;
• and
• information on network service components used for the service product;
• parameter information on the used service components;
• service component level information comprising at least tariff information;
• and
• deployment rules determining how the service product is deployable in the network.

A service planning unit for planning high-level service products to subscribers in a telecommunication network, wherein the service planning unit comprises or is closely connected to:

• 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;
• a service simulation and testing section for providing functions relating to verification of service products;
• a service deployment section for deploying services in the telecommunication network;
• a service assurance section for monitoring and reporting of the service products;
• and
• a usage reporting section for processing reports on the service products' performance and usage.