Framework Interconnection Agreement: Guidelines for testing
The European Telecommunications Platform (ETP) has published guidelines, intended to assist European operators on the main aspects of interconnection testing, by drawing on experience from current interconnection testing activities. The ETP has been created by the private sector and industry as a self-regulating body to help with the commercial, implementation and regulatory aspects of the liberalization of telecommunications within the EU. This document is to be read in conjunction with the "Framework Interconnection Agreement Guidelines", which remain the guide for aspects of a contractual nature and for interconnection issues not directly related to testing. These guidelines identify key items with regard to testing that should be discussed during interconnection negotiations. The recommended tests described serve two functions: - Tests required to ensure network integrity; - Additional tests ensuring service interoperability and quality. The contents of the guidelines are divided into four main parts: - Organization of the testing process including the identification of roles and responsibilities of personnel during the different phases of activity and the documentation required; - Management of the testing process including the management of failures during testing and the management of problems that may not be addressed within the normal procedure for fault management; - Definition of the testing phases and the division of the testing process and tests in each; - Operation and maintenance procedures which should be adopted to allow the operators to handle technical problems during the transition to, or at the beginning of, the commercial service phase.