visioned, then the service and network needs to be configured, the billing system and SLA management system needs to be configured, the customer records need to be updated and when the service is acti- vated the billing system also needs to start working on records. This is just a basic line up of activities and there are many supporting operations associated with just getting a service ready for the customer. The OSS brings in automation and reduces the complexity in managing the services. After activation of service there needs to be a service assurance operation, customer service operation, service monitor- ing operations, and many more operations that fall under the service and business management scope of an OSS. 19.2 Service Providers The communication service provider that uses the OSS can be: 1. Local exchange carrier (LEC): The LEC is the term used for a service pro- vider company that provides services to a local calling area. There are two types of LECs, the ILEC (incumbent local exchange carrier) and competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs). Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that forced the ILECs to offer the use of the local loop or last mile in order to facilitate competition. So CLECs attempted to compete with preexisting LECs or ILEC by using their own switches and networks. The CLECs either resell ILEC services or use their own facilities to offer value-added services. 2. Internet service provider (ISP): As the name suggests, these service providers offer varying levels of internet connectivity to the end user. An ISP can either have its own backbone connection to the Internet or it can be a reseller offer- ing services bought from a service provider that has high bandwidth access to the Internet. What Is OSS and BSS? 3. Managed service provider (MSP): A managed service provider deals with delivery and management of network-based services, applications, and equip- ment. These service providers can be hosting companies or access providers that offer services like IP telephony, 