Telecom consultancy RHK Inc. has lost its crack team of OSS analysts -- the ones that reckoned the OSS market would grow from $30 billion in 2002 to $50 billion in 2005 (see RHK's Fat OSS).

The trio -- Patrick Kelly and Larry Goldman in the U.S. and Mark Basham in the U.K. -- are believed to have formed an independent outfit called OSS Observer.

None of them were available for comment at presstime, although Kelly's voicemail now indicates that he works for OSS Observer and not RHK.

RHK also hadn't responded to calls at press time, but it appears to be aiming to continue its OSS practice. Leif Hoglund, a former employee, has returned, and is looking to recruit other staff.

On its Website, RHK names a number of major service providers and systems vendors among its clients, including Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A), Amdocs Ltd. (NYSE: DOX), Sheer Networks Inc., Syndesis Ltd. -- and "Telcorida," though this is most likely meant to be Telcordia Technologies Inc.

RHK underwent a senior management shakeup last month (see RHK Changes CEOs).

— Ray Le Maistre, International Editor, Boardwatch