The trend of carriers outsourcing some network operations or management responsibilities to trusted vendor partners isn't a really new trend, but this innovative approach to network operations continues to change the traditional carrier-vendor relationship in fresh ways.
Network outsourcing began in the mobile industry, and mostly with fairly new mobile carriers who didn't have any traditional feelings of responsibility or pride about getting their hands dirty managing their own networks. The business to them is about providing services, innovating at the service level, building customer relationships and creating effective marketing packages.
The network outsourcing trend hasn't taken over wireline just yet, but as wireline firms grow larger and more complex--and customer segments grow more diverse and niche-oriented--wireline network outsourcing may pick up momentum. Telecommunications writes about the responsibility that network outsourcing puts on vendors.