This project aimed to clarify the need for standardisation in satellite communications performance management interfaces through interviews with key stakeholder organisations and people. Also, the project conducted an investigation of the use of standards in other telecommunications areas for possible reuse within satcom.

Interviews with Inmarsat, Avanti, STM, and ND Satcom were conducted under this project. Furthermore, the use of standards in other telecom domains was investigated through meetings and session participation at the TM Forum Management World conference in May 2011 in Dublin. A number of existing standards were analysed and compared.

A demand for development and implementation of standards in satcom performance management among operators, network management solution vendors, and system integrators was identified:

1. Standards will enable operators of multiple networks of different technology (e.g. satellite-based and GSM/WCDMA) to streamline operations.
2. Standards will open the satcom network management solution market, thereby increasing competition and innovation.
3. Standards will reduce integration costs.

From the analysis of existing standards, the study proposes MTOSI and CIM (from telecom and IT communities, respectively) to achieve standardisation of satcom performance management interfaces.

The objectives of the project are the following:

• The first objective is to clarify the need for standardisation in satellite communications of network management interfaces, in particular network performance management.
• The second objective is to investigate the use of standards in other telecommunications areas for possible reuse within satcom.