Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), and leading telecom and service-ware companies Ericsson, NEC, Nokia, Nortel Networks and Telcordia Technologies, Inc., today announced their intention to start the Next Generation OSS through Javaa initiative, a new open, industry process to define Java technology-based APIs (Java APIs) for Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS). The companies' support of the initiative is based on non-binding memoranda of understanding and is subject to the negotiation and close of definitive agreements.

The Next Generation OSS through Java initiative will help standardize a wide range of Java APIs. The ultimate goal is to allow carriers and service providers to build seamless OSS systems in which all applications function together. Setting standards for software vendors to follow when they create applications helps enable applications made by different companies to function well together.

The intention is to standardize these OSS APIs under the latest Java Community ProcessSM (JCP) program, which represents the formalization of the open process that Sun has been using since 1995 to develop and revise Java technology specifications in cooperation with the international community of Java technology developers and adapters.

Currently carriers and service providers face a fragmented OSS market, filled with proprietary systems that don't work together without costly integration steps. Even then, the process is complex and time consuming, hindering efforts to roll out new technology and services quickly.

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