ervice and later up-gradation to EPS by a teir-1 operator in a developed nation in order to explain the concept of man- aged services. The basic assumption is that the operator is already running a HSPA network in the entire country and is planning to roll out HSPA and EPS in selected markets in 2010 and 2012 respectively and also planning to launch IMS in 2013. We have considered an external supplier model where all the equip- ment is purchased incumbent vendors. Thus the in-house activities are then mainly limited to solution management, vendor management implementation, solution integration, and ongoing operations. 12.11.1 Solution Management Solution Management consists of the following steps: 12.11.1.1 Technology and Product Life Cycle Management The upgrade from HSPA to HSPA- will primarily be software driven while transition to EPS will require both software and hardware upgrades. EPS will also necessitate technology developments in other parts of the network as well, in particular the mobile backhaul. A good production system creates deliverables as defined in the product (HSPA, EPS) development guidelines. The technology and product life cycles consist of embryonic, growth, and maturity phases as in the case of 2G and 3G cellular technologies. GSM has started to be phased out or replaced by superior HSPA technologies in some markets. The project manager needs to understand end to end the migration activities from HSPA to EPS and it has to be communicated to all the stakeholders. 12.11.1.2 End-to-End Development The end-to-end development of all the components of the networks need to be looked into, in particular in the case of EPS. Efficient Mobile Backhaul holds the key for the success of EPS; without it the goals Next Generation Mobile Communications Ecosystem of EPS will not be achieved. The availability of chipsets, test tools and test handsets and modems also needs to be carefully managed. The migration towards all-IP and EPS will also emphaize the use of IMS. And most importantly, the development o