Telecommunications network resource handling arrangement and method

A method of structuring information in a resource handler database for use in an operational support structure for managing a telecommunications network, the support structure comprising a service and resource database arrangement containing information regarding network resources, the method comprising the steps of:

• allocating to each resource in the network a time of existence as well as a place in a hierarchy of parent/child relations;
• and
• defining each resource by associating data comprising:
• a point identifier That has characteristics associated with it representing an abstract description of its capabilities;
• an abstraction of a common network element represented by a group of points that are considered to belong together;
• and
• a connection being defined by two connected points;
• wherein the database arrangement is structured so as to model a usage view, which includes what resources are combined to form a complete service instance and the time when that service instance exists.