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.
In this tutorial, you will learn-
- What is Domain in Testing?
- Why Domain Knowledge Matters?
- Recommended Telecom Testing Tool
- Business Processes in Telecom Industry
- Typical Telecom Business Process
- Types of Protocols used in Telecom Industry
- Testing LifeCycle in the Telecom Industry
- Types of Testing Performed on Telecom Software
- Sample TestCases for Telecom Testing
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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
Recommended Telecom Testing Tool
1) HeadSpin
HeadSpin helps leading telcos around the world to monitor and improve 5G user experience, improve OTT streaming experience, test data, messaging services, validate device compatibility, and deploy software at the edge. Given the hyper localisation of 5G and setup of mobile private networks, Telcos, ISV’s and their end customers require an end-to-end solution that optimizes a combination of real networks, computing technologies, and endpoints for real-world performance visibility. HeadSpin combines real-world edge infrastructure and data science to enable testing and edge experience with the following use cases which are key to perfecting user experience for telcos:
Features:
- Monitor and improve 5G user experience
- Test network device compatibility
- Test, monitor & analyze data, voice and messaging services
- Ensure pre-release device compatibility
- Drive/walk test for local experience – Cellular/WiFi handoff
- Deploy software at the edge
- Improve OTT streaming experience
- Network throttling using HeadSpin Automation APIs
- Monitor client experience for roaming performance
- Regression intelligence – build over build comparison to measure performance
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 |
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Pre-sales |
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Ordering |
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Provisioning |
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Billing |
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Service Assurance |
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Inventory Systems |
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Tracking |
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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
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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 |
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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 |
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Billing System |
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Application Testing |
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OSS-BSS Testing |
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Conformance Testing |
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IVR Testing |
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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.