premises and the Internet (or private networks) over high capacity circuits, MSPs/HSPs host applications on servers they or their customers provide. Generally they provide standard network and office applications that offer functions such as scheduling, word processing and e- mail, though, theoretically, they can manage any application the customer requires. MSPs/HSPs free their customers from having to manage their complex IT infrastructure and networking services in-house. They take on the responsibility of ensuring everything from network reliability and upgrade management to application maintenance and data security. Application Service Providers (ASPs). ASPs are similar to MSPs/HSPs except that they own the applications they provide and lease them to their customers on a usage basis, such as per month per user or per hour of use. This frees their customers from dealing with multiple application vendors and from having to maintain site and user license agreements. Cable Television/Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC)/Cable-Internet Providers. Cable providers offer voice, data, and video services mainly for residential users. They employ high-speed cable modems to support IP-based data and voice services and operate two-way, hybrid fiber-coaxial networks. Cable is one of the most promising new areas for Internet and telecommunications services as cable providers venture into services ranging from Internet access to interactive television, all of which will bring some new and unique OSS requirements. In the past, these companies have faced difficulty providing primary line voice services because they could not guarantee "life line" reliability, though most have now developed either battery or network power solutions. Cable providers are building out their voice infrastructure to compete with LECs and IXCs for voice business. Mobile Operators/mCommerce (mobile eCommerce) Providers. Mobile operators and mCommerce providers can be seen as two distinct but co-dependent groups. Mobile operators provide mobile voice services, and