bout $2000 in 2004. This cost went down to $800 in 2008 and was around $600 in 2010. Components are often assembled in subsystems called modules before being inserted in telecommunication systems. This step is due to the fact that system vendors generally do not want to develop the analog electronics needed to drive individual components, either to avoid the need of a dedicated development group or to avoid risks related to this very specific development. Thus, modules collect all the components needed for a specified functionality (e.g., in/out interface of an equipment) and close them in a module comprising all the hardware and firmware drivers. Such a module can be driven by the control board of the equipment via a digital interface and is much easier to substitute if needed than bare components integrated in a card. Modules are often manufactured by component companies, but there are also niche companies acquiring components and building modules with them. Modules are sold to system companies: The companies manufacturing, for example, WDM transport systems, Ethernet carrier class switches, and IP core routers. The com- panies in this market segment are generally big companies due to the fact that a telecom- munication system involves very complex equipment, comprising hardware and software, and requires the capability of carrying out a complex design and production process. Some of the most well-known companies in the world belong to this market segment: Alcatel-Lucent, Eriksson, Nokia-Siemens, Huawei, NEC, and Fujitsu. In general, telecommunication carriers do not buy bare equipment, but buy a service consisting in the setup of a network segment. In order to provide this service, the required equipment must be installed in the carrier central offices, connected to the network, set up under a software point of view and finally tested. When all is complete, the new ele- ments can be virtually switched on by the management systems and are ready for real traffic. These operations are the business of solution pro