at interested in testing SyncE clock performance on a single node. The exception is operators who are interested in circuit emulation of TDM links-they love to measure frequency! G.8273.2 T-BC/T-TSC clock performance: This is the clear winner for the most popular test set to perform. Just about every operator interested in phase/time deployments wants to test the performance of the T-BC. The very clear favorite is the noise generation tests, specifically to measure max|TE| and cTE. For platforms with redundant control plane processors, measuring PTP 2wayTE (and wander generation) during switchover is also very popular. Functional testing: The most useful of these tests is the behavior of the clock quality variables (in the Announce message) during the various changes of state in the T-BC or T-GM. The same applies to the ESMC QL messages. It is important to check that the values of these variables re- flect your expectations during events like switchover, acquiring, T-GM failover, and holdover. The reason why operators execute the preceding test cases more often than any others is that they are the important ones when all you want to do is to get the design certified and the solution de- ployed. The authors would agree that these points cover most of what you should need. Also re- member that if you are not concerned with phase/time, then you only need to perform the preceding test cases relating to frequency. This list is a good place to start, but you should be prepared to move into other areas as you see the results unfold. A final piece of advice: Never walk out of a lab with an unanswered question. One day, that question will return and demand an immediate answer, and at the worst possible time. Test cases have a finite runtime, but the mobile network must run 24 X 365. 12.4 Automation and Assurance Network providers and operators are always challenged with turning up new services in an error- free, flexible, and agile manner. Of course, all the operator wants to do is to provide a service to its end customer