OSSBSS

OSSBSS, short for open-source software for operations support systems and business support systems, refers to using open-source components to implement the telecom industry's core operational and commercial capabilities. It covers the software stack used to manage network resources and performance (OSS) as well as customer, product, and revenue processes (BSS). Typical OSS functions include network inventory, provisioning, fault and performance management, and service assurance. BSS functions include customer relationship management, order management, provisioning, catalog and product management, metering, billing, and revenue management. Together, OSSBSS aims to support end-to-end service delivery, network operations, and the customer lifecycle.

Most OSSBSS implementations are modular and interoperable, realized as microservices deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrids, with APIs (REST or SOAP) for integration. Industry standards such as TM Forum's eTOM and SID guide data exchange and service workflows, while ETSI interfaces provide telecom-specific structure.

The OSSBSS space includes open-source projects and platforms that can be composed into customized stacks. Adoption ranges from small operators seeking cost-effective flexibility to larger operators pursuing vendor independence and faster innovation. Community governance, commercial support, and compatibility with standard interfaces influence viability.

Benefits include lower total cost of ownership, flexibility, and reduced vendor lock-in; challenges include integrating diverse components, achieving scale, ensuring data portability and regulatory compliance, and sustaining long-term support.

Because OSSBSS spans many domains, implementations vary; common patterns involve integrating open-source inventory, provisioning, CRM, billing, and analytics components through standard APIs.