Where there are problems, there are opportunities – and let's face it, there are numerous problems in wireless these days. Hence the booming market for mobile IP service assurance tools, which let quality-minded carriers capitalize on rivals' reputations for poor quality of service (QoS).

Service assurance products differ from conventional operations support system (OSS) and test and measurement (T&M) tools by focusing on the user experience, rather than the performance of the network as a whole or individual links and nodes. The reason is that it is quite possible for all of the carrier's network infrastructure to be functioning properly, while still delivering a poor user experience.

As detailed in a new report from Heavy Reading Mobile Networks Insider, "The Business Case Builds for Mobile IP Service Assurance," making and saving money is the primary motivation behind the recent boom in this market. Some examples include the following:

There are plenty of other examples, ones that carriers clearly recognize, based on the uptick in vendor sales over the past two years. "In 2004, it was very difficult to convince operators of the need for this kind of solution," says Yann Boquillod, VP of Theta Networks. "Now we go to them, and they ask when we can install our system."

Not surprisingly, that interest has attracted many vendors, including ones from the enterprise networking world seeking to parachute into a boom market. To be successful, IT newcomers must convince potential carrier customers that they understand cellular's nuances and unique requirements, including five-nines (99.999 percent) uptime. This expertise could be added by acquiring a cellular vendor or cherry-picking its executives.

Even then, enterprise players can face a tough sell – one example of how there are no easy slam-dunks in this space. "Service providers aren't that keen on enterprise vendors," says Steve Shalita, VP of marketing at NetScout Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: NTCT) and someone who has worked in both the carrier and enterprise markets. "There's a difference between enterprise-class and carrier-class."

— Tim Kridel, Contributing Analyst, Heavy Reading Mobile Networks Insider

The report, "The Business Case Builds for Mobile IP Service Assurance," is available as part of an annual single-user subscription (six issues) to Mobile Networks Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900. To subscribe, please visit: www.heavyreading.com/mobile-networks.