Method and apparatus for evaluating component costs in a communication network

A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for calculating a cost index in a communication network, comprising:

• obtaining a plurality of first cost factors associated with a first set of network elements;
• obtaining a plurality of second cost factors associated with a second set of network elements;
• determining a first cost index based on said plurality of first cost factors associated with said first set of network elements;
• determining a second cost index based on said plurality of second cost factors associated with said second set of network elements;
• and
• comparing said first cost index to said second cost index to determine a point in time when a service provider should minimize new investment in said first set of network elements.

An apparatus for calculating a cost index in a communication network, comprising:

• means for obtaining a plurality of first cost factors associated with a first set of network elements;
• means for obtaining a plurality of second cost factors associated with a second set of network elements;
• means for determining a first cost index based on said plurality of first cost factors associated with said first set of network elements;
• means for determining a second cost index based on said plurality of second cost factors associated with said second set of network elements;
• and
• means for comparing said first cost index to said second cost index to determine a point in time when a service provider should minimize new investment in said first set of network elements.