Test call generator
Encyclopedia
Test call generators (TCGs) are revenue assurance
solutions that replicate events on a telecoms network to identify potential revenue leakage and to help achieve regulatory compliance. Both cellular
and fixed-line telecom operators utilise test call generators to independently test their networks for call detail record
(CDR) reconciliation and validate call start-time/duration metering and telecommunications rating
. TCGs are mission-critical tools utilised by telecom operator revenue assurance departments to improve revenue capture and to validate network integrity.
Revenue assurance and test call generators
Cellular and fixed line network testing
Test call generators have the capability to test both GSM and fixed-line networks through utilising various hardware components. The components of a TCG system consists of both hardware and software, the key components are defined as:
Test call generation – revenue assurance call testing
TCG's are utilised by telecom operators to consolidate revenue assurance strategies. They provide automated testing by executing live calls on the operators network to identify potential network performance issues and revenue leakage. TCGs produce independent rated CDRs that are reconciled against the operators CDRs to validate CDR integrity and to ultimately uncover lost revenue. Some of the services that TCGs provide are:
Revenue assurance
Revenue assurance is a niche business activity most commonly undertaken within businesses that provide telecommunication services.The activity is the use of data quality and process improvement methods that improve profits, revenues and cash flows without influencing demand...
solutions that replicate events on a telecoms network to identify potential revenue leakage and to help achieve regulatory compliance. Both cellular
Cellular
Cellular may refer to:*Cellular automaton, a model in discrete mathematics*Cellular , a 2004 movie*Cellular frequencies, assigned to networks operating in cellular RF bands*Cellular manufacturing...
and fixed-line telecom operators utilise test call generators to independently test their networks for call detail record
Call detail record
A call detail record , also known as call data record, is a data record produced by a telephone exchange or other telecommunications equipment documenting the details of a phone call that passed through the facility or device...
(CDR) reconciliation and validate call start-time/duration metering and telecommunications rating
Telecommunications rating
In telecommunications rating is the activity of determining the cost of a particular call. The rating process involves converting call-related data into a monetary-equivalent value....
. TCGs are mission-critical tools utilised by telecom operator revenue assurance departments to improve revenue capture and to validate network integrity.
Revenue assurance and test call generators
Cellular and fixed line network testing
Test call generators have the capability to test both GSM and fixed-line networks through utilising various hardware components. The components of a TCG system consists of both hardware and software, the key components are defined as:
- Network hardware tester units - These can be either GSM units for 2G/3G testing, and fixed-line units for analogue testing.
- System software - Generally consists of the following software modules; (1) System controller to manage the automated call execution process, (2) CDR importer to import the corresponding Operator CDRs, (3) Matching algorithm to match the operator CDRs and (4) Rating module to independently rate the CDRs.
Test call generation – revenue assurance call testing
TCG's are utilised by telecom operators to consolidate revenue assurance strategies. They provide automated testing by executing live calls on the operators network to identify potential network performance issues and revenue leakage. TCGs produce independent rated CDRs that are reconciled against the operators CDRs to validate CDR integrity and to ultimately uncover lost revenue. Some of the services that TCGs provide are:
- Real-time testing for multiple call and data services e.g. voice, SMS, MMS, HTTP, mobile TV, video calling, content download (games, ringtones..)
- End to end call detail recordCall detail recordA call detail record , also known as call data record, is a data record produced by a telephone exchange or other telecommunications equipment documenting the details of a phone call that passed through the facility or device...
reconciliation (from switch to billing) - Verification testing of new tariffs
- CDR matching reconciliation
- Call rating validation for interconnect and retail billing
- Regulatory compliance testing (OfcomOfcomOfcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
/Sarbanes-Oxley) - Network performanceNetwork performanceNetwork performance refers to the service quality of a telecommunications product as seen by the customer. It should not be seen merely as an attempt to get "more through" the network....
testing to validate new network components
External links
- Araxxe - Revenue Assurance and Fraud SaaS services based on Test Call Generators
- Roscom Ltd - test call generation provider
- BluGem Communications - test call generation provider
- C-Gen - test call generation system
- GenieLog GEDIS Studio Test Data Generator - Telecom Case Study
- Keynote SIGOS - test call generator
- Call data record generator - CDR generator
- Arptel - Test Call Generator
- Ascade - Test Call generator