Testing Telecom Domain with Sample OSS/BSS Test cases

What is Telecom Testing?

Telecom Testing is defined as the testing of Telecommunication software. Since the shift of the telecom sector to digital and computer networks, telecommunication industry uses software indispensable. Telecom sector depends on the various types of software components to deliver many services like routing and switching, VoIP broadband access, etc. Hence, telecom software testing is inevitable.

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What is Domain in Testing?

A domain is nothing but the industry for which the software testing project is created. When we talk about software project or development, this term is often referred. For example, the Insurance domain, Banking domain, Retail Domain, Telecom Domain, etc.

Usually while developing any specific domain project, domain expert help is sought out. Domain expert is master of the subject and he may know the inside-out of the product or application.

Why Testing Domain Knowledge Matters?

Domain knowledge is quintessential for testing any software product, and it has its own benefits like

Business Processes in the Telecom Industry

For telecom testing end-to-end service verification is important. To ensure efficient testing a good understanding of the different Business process is a must.

You need to understand each stage of service deliverability before drafting the test cases.

Telecom services are either based on a business support system that includes IVR’s, Call Centers, generating invoices, etc. or an operation support system that includes routers, switches, cell towers, etc.

The following table shows what activities are performed at different levels

Telecom Department	Telecom Activities
Pre-sales	It handles all the sales information like discounts, services, promos, etc.
Ordering	Applying for a new connection or disconnecting a connection
Provisioning	This division deals with the physical connection between customers and TSP ( Telecom Service Provider)
Billing	Under this division, all billing work is done
Service Assurance	In case of any failure, this division corrects the problem
Inventory Systems	It is the repository of all information
Tracking	This division tracks the ordering system and the status of an order

Typical Telecom Business Process

Following is a typical business process in the Telecom Industry.

Types of Protocols used in Telecom Industry

Here the popular protocols used in the Telecom industry

VoIP technologies: VoIP, IMS, MPLS, ISDN, PSTN
Signaling and Protocols: SIP, ISDN, Codecs, H.323
Wireless technologies: GPRS, CDMA, GSM, UMTS
Network Management: SNMP
Layer 2 Protocols: ARP, STP, L2TP, PPP
Layer 3 protocols/routing: ICMP, BGP, ISIS, MPLS
Infrastructure/Security: ATM, TCP/IP, LAN/VLAN, SSH

You can learn more about Protocol Testing here

Testing LifeCycle in the Telecom Industry

The Test Lifecycle in the telecom industry is similar to that of any other industry but with a stress on details. Here is how the test lifecycle looks like along with the test artifacts.

Telecom Testing Stage	Test artifacts
Business View	Requirement based test artifacts Feasibility based artifacts Standard and policy identification based test artifacts Operation and maintenance considerations related test artifacts
System/ Architecture	System test artifacts (Security, Installation) Test artifacts for virtual prototype Special System Testing artifacts ( interoperability, disaster recovery)
Implementation	Unit test artifacts Integration test artifacts Quality and performance artifacts Regression, load testing, sanity, etc.
Deployment	Acceptance test artifacts Integration test artifacts Quality and performance artifacts Functional test artifacts Alpha/Beta test artifacts

Types of Testing Performed on Telecom Software

Interconnection Testing
Conformance Testing
IVR Testing
Performance Testing
Security Testing
Interoperability Testing
Protocol Testing
Functional Testing
Automation Testing

Sample TestCases for Telecom Testing

In Telecom Testing, one must consider the testing following

Various Telecom Testing	Testing activities in Telecom
Billing System	Verify, the telephone number of the customer is registered under telecom operator Verify whether the number is still working Verify the number entered is valid, and it is 10 digit number Verify the number is not blocked due to some reasons Verify if the number has any outstanding bills, if exist, display it on screen Verify the number has all previous accounts or bills cleared Verify the system enables statement generation as per customer requirement Verify the system has recorded a number of calls accurately Verify the plan chosen by the customer displays on the billing system Verify the total amount billed is accurate and mapped to the service offered
Application Testing	Protocols, signaling, field testing for IOT Usage and Functional Testing for core Mobile handset applications like a call, SMS, transfer/hold, etc. Testing of various applications like finance, sports and location-based services, etc. OSS-BSS testing
OSS-BSS Testing	Billing, customer case, interconnect billing, order and fraud management, revenue assurance Network management, mediation, provisioning, etc. EAI, CRM & ERP, data warehousing, etc.
Conformance Testing	Electrical interface compatibility Conformance of protocol Conformance of transport layers
IVR Testing	Interactive test scenarios Detection of voice energy Broadband audio tones Extensive conditional branching sequences DTMF Entries

Summary

The telecom service is a very broad field consists of a various component including cables, networks, signals, protocols, etc. and their testing requires a broad range of testing techniques, so the choice of testing techniques and strategy highly depends on what component of telecom is tested.

The test requirement, scope, test scenarios, testing techniques, testing tools, etc. varies with the type of testing involves, it can be protocol testing for VoIP or wireless device testing for CDMA. The tutorial gives a basic but complete overview of how telecom testing can be performed and discuss various prospects that are crucial for telecom testing.