Mobile networks go self-service.

MOBILE operators are in a bind. The uptake of smartphones has led to an unprecedented increase in the volume of data flowing over their networks. They've been scrambling to keep up, investing in capacity even as they consolidate their 3G networks and make ready for a shift to 4G technologies. The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance, which exists to ease the transition from current to 4G networks, is already concerned about the operating costs of the new networks, and so is pushing equipment vendors to come up with systems that can manage themselves, as well as interoperability at the network and service-management level so that equipment from different vendors can collaborate to optimise overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]