WO2015070387A1

WO2015070387A1 - Method and provisioning node for updating a multi-value parameter

Info

Publication number: WO2015070387A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/087011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yingbao Long; Bo Song
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2013-11-13
Filing date: 2013-11-13
Publication date: 2015-05-21

Abstract

The teachings relate to methods 20 performed in a provisioning node 7 for updating a multi-value parameter. The provisioning node 7 provides a business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5 with an interface towards a telecommunication network 9 comprising a network element 10₁,..., 10_n. The method 20 comprises: receiving 21, from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter; retrieving 22, from the network element 10₁,..., 10_n, the current multi-value parameter; aggregating 23, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5 the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter; and sending 24, to the network element 10₁,..., 10_n, a command to update according to the updated multi-value parameter.

Description

METHOD AND PROVISIONING NODE

FOR UPDATING A MULTI-VALUE PARAMETER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology disclosed herein relates generally to the field of

telecommunication/Information Technology (IT) networks, and in particular to provisioning and parameter administration within such a telecommunication/IT networks. BACKGROUND

In a telecommunications network, provisioning generally is known as a process of preparing the telecommunication network to provide services to the users thereof. A communication device needs to be configured with a suitable set of

configuration parameters in order for the user of the communication device to be able to obtain desired services from the telecommunication network. Provisioning information is used to accomplish this.

A source requesting a service to be provided, e.g. a business support system (BSS), may for example require that a new subscription for a specific end-user shall be activated. The request may e.g. entail the end-user to be activated for Home Location Register/Authentication Center (HLR/AUC), voice-mail system (VMS) and multi-media messaging system (MMS). When the end-user has been activated for these services, the provisioning has been completed and the end- user is able to use the services provided by the telecommunication network.

A solution in which the source, e.g. the BSS, interfaces with each and every of the network nodes of the telecommunication network that needs to be provisioned could be implemented. However, there is typically a provisioning system between the service requesting source, i.e. the BSS, on the one hand and the

telecommunication network comprising the network nodes on the other hand. The provisioning system thus relieves the BSS from dependencies towards the telecommunication network. The provisioning system provides network

functionality towards the BSS, while hiding network implementation aspects such as communication protocols, routing, redundancy etc. There are different levels or types of provisioning. In network provisioning the user is provisioned on telecommunication network elements that are enabling a service and allowing the user to use the service. In server provisioning a server is prepared with appropriate systems, data and software, making the server ready for network operation. In user provisioning, user objects and user attributes are administered, e.g. created, maintained and deactivated. In subscriber provisioning, the user of a wireless communication network is set up with new services, e.g. Long Term Evolution (LTE) services, and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). A network operator may send such settings to the user's communication device over the wireless network.

The provisioning system of the telecommunication network may thus store different types of provisioning information and provide it to the network nodes of the telecommunication network when needed to configure the telecommunication network for communication with the communication device.

In such telecommunication networks, it is quite common that a parameter comprising the provisioning information has multiple values, wherein different values may be used for different services. The BSS records all the desired values of the parameter and sends the parameter to the provisioning system. The provisioning system sets the values received from the BSS system and sends them to the network node providing the services to a user.

However, there are some drawbacks of this solution. When the BSS needs to update the parameter values for specific services, the BSS has to get the existing values of the parameter and aggregate them with the new values for the specific services and then send this parameter to the provisioning system. The

provisioning system then provisions the network nodes of the telecommunication network accordingly. This is time-consuming and heavily adds to the complexity of the BSS.

Further, the provisioning system exposes, to the network nodes, the values of the parameter in an enumerating way and for unchanged parameter values it keeps empty values in a request. However, such interface is hard to maintain and is also prone to errors. SUMMARY

An object of the present teachings is to solve or at least alleviate at least one of the above mentioned problems. The object is according to a first aspect achieved by a method performed in a provisioning node for updating a multi-value parameter. The provisioning node provides a business support system node with an interface towards a

telecommunication network comprising a network element. The method comprises:

- receiving, from the business support system node, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter,

- retrieving, from the network element, the current multi-value parameter, - aggregating, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter, and

- sending, to the network element, a command to update according to the updated multi-value parameter.

The method enables the exposure of a service oriented provisioning interface towards the business support system or other external applications. The business support system is thereby alleviated from having to implement complex solutions for updating specific services in a telecommunication network. The method provides a generic and simple way to handle parameters having multi-values. It allows for the provisioning node to provision any specific value without impacting the rest of the values of the parameter. The object is according to a second aspect achieved by a provisioning node for updating a multi-value parameter. The provisioning node provides a business support system node with an interface towards a telecommunication network comprising a network element. The provisioning node comprises a processor and memory containing instructions executable by the processor, whereby the provisioning node is operative to: - receive, from the business support system node, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter,

- retrieve, from the network element, the current multi-value parameter,

- aggregate, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node, the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter, and

- send, to the network element, a command to update according to the

updated multi-value parameter.

The object is according to a third aspect achieved by a computer program for a provisioning node for updating a multi-value parameter, wherein the provisioning node provides a business support system node with an interface towards a telecommunication network comprising a network element. The computer program comprises computer program code, which, when run on the provisioning node causes the provisioning node to:

- receive, from the business support system node, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the remaining values of the current multi-value parameter to be unchanged,

- receive, from the business support system node, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter,

- retrieve, from the network element, the current multi-value parameter, - aggregate, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter. The object is according to a fourth aspect achieved by a computer program product comprising a computer program as above, and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.

The object is according to a fifth aspect achieved by a provisioning node for updating a multi-value parameter. The provisioning node provides a business support system node with an interface towards a telecommunication network comprising a network element. The provisioning node comprises:

- means for receiving, from the business support system node, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter,

- means for retrieving, from the network element, the current multi-value parameter,

- means for aggregating, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node, the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter, and

- means for sending, to the network element, a command to update

according to the updated multi-value parameter.

Further features and advantages of the present teachings will become clear upon reading the following description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates schematically an environment in which embodiments of the present teachings may be implemented.

Figure 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating communication messages in a multi- value parameter updating in accordance with an aspect of the present teachings.

Figures 3A, 3B, 3C illustrate a particular example of implementation for a

parameter with multiple binary values.

Figures 4A, 4B illustrate a particular example of implementation for a parameter with multi-string values.

Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart over steps of a method in a provisioning node in accordance with the present teachings.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically a provisioning node and means for implementing methods of the present teachings.

Figure 7 illustrates a provisioning node comprising functions modules/software modules for implementing methods of the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding. In other instances, detailed

descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description with unnecessary detail. Same reference numerals refer to same or similar elements throughout the description. In the type of telecommunication networks described in the background section with a BSS, i.e. nodes that the operator of the telecommunications network use for running its business operations towards customers and provisioning system, it is, as mentioned, quite common that a parameter has multiple values and different values may be used for different services. However, an interface of a provisioning system for updating the parameter does not update the parameter on a parameter value level, but instead on a whole parameter level. The BSS therefore has to take care of all values of the parameter even though it just wants to update one single value related to a specific service. Briefly, the present teachings provides solutions to situations such as the one described above, i.e. the BSS having to handle all values of a parameter even though only one value is to be changed. The BSS is enabled to update only desired values and ignore other unchanged values of a parameter. In particular, the present teachings provide a mask concept on the provisioning interface. With the mask, the BSS is able to exactly identify which values should be updated without impacting the rest of the values of the parameter.

With reference to Figure 1 , an environment in which embodiments of the present teachings may be implemented is illustrated. A business support system (BSS) 1 may handle customer related issues, such as receiving order for subscriptions and payments, and may then comprise any number of business support system nodes 2, 3, 4, 5. For example, the BSS may comprise a customer administration node 2, a fraud and subscription analysis node 3 dealing with service

activation/deactivation and user management. As further examples of nodes that the BSS 1 may comprise, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) node 4 and portal node 5 for multi-vendors network elements support and service self- provisioning of an end user may be mentioned. An MVNO 4 does not have its own wireless network system, but has instead agreements with existing mobile network operators for providing services to customers. It is noted that the BSS 1 may comprise additional nodes or external applications or comprise just one single node, and that the BSS 1 may comprise other nodes than the mentioned.

The provisioning system 6 comprises a provisioning node 7 configured to perform provisioning. The provisioning node 7 may for example comprise a server. The provisioning system 6 may comprise an interface towards an operation support system (OSS) 8 comprising computers used by telecommunications service providers to administer and maintain network systems. The provisioning system 6 may comprise further units and devices, such as e.g. databases 13 for storing provisioning information, although it is noted that such databases 13 may also or alternatively be part of the provisioning node 7.

There is an interface between the BSS 1 and the provisioning system 6 by means of which they are able to communicate. The interface of the provisioning node 7 shows network functionality of the telecommunication network 9 towards the BSS 1 , while hiding network implementation aspects.

The provisioning node is also interfacing a telecommunication network 9 in order to e.g. provision a user on telecommunication network nodes that are enabling a service requested by the user. The telecommunication network 9 comprises various parts, e.g. an access network comprising network nodes 1 1 such as base stations configured for wireless communication with user devices and a core network 12 providing services to the users who are connected by the access network. The telecommunication network 9 further comprises various network elements 10i , 10₂, 10_n providing specific functionality, such as for example handling multimedia, charging, wireless service related issues, wireline service related issues, information management system (IMS) etc. Such network elements 10i , 10₂, 10_n are provisioned by the provisioning system 6, and in particular by the provisioning node 7. Figure 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating communication messages in a multi- value parameter updating in accordance with an aspect of the present teachings. The BSS 1 sends (arrow 1 ) a request for parameter value update to the

provisioning node 7, which thus receives this request. The provisioning node 7 retrieves (arrow 2), from the telecommunication network 9 and in particular from a particular a specific network element 10₁ , 10₂, ... , 10_n of the telecommunication network 9, the original value of the parameter, i.e. the currently used parameter value. The network element 10₁ , 10₂, ... , 10_n returns (arrow 3) a response to the provisioning node 7, the response comprising the requested original (i.e. currently used) parameter value.

The provisioning node 7 thus receives this response. The provisioning node 7 then consolidates (arrow 4) the new parameter value (received from the BSS 1 ) with the original, currently used parameter value (received from the network element 10! , 10₂, 10_n).

The provisioning node 7 then sends (arrow 5) an update command to the network element 10i , 10₂, 10_n, which then updates accordingly and starts providing services to users in accordance with the new parameter value.

The network element 10₁ , 10₂, ... , 10_n returns (arrow 6) a response to the provisioning node 7, the response confirming that the requested updating has been performed. The provisioning node 7 thus receives this response.

The provisioning node 7 may then return (arrow 7) a response to the BSS 1 confirming that the requested updating has been effectuated. Figures 3A, 3B, 3C illustrate a particular example of implementation for a parameter with multiple binary values. With reference to Figure 3A, the parameter is an 8 bit long parameter: the eight, seventh, fifth, fourth, third and first bits set to value "1 " and the sixth and second bits set to value "0". The respective bits may for example represent a respective specific service; i.e. the first bit represents a first service, the second bit represents a second service etc.

Now, if the BSS 1 needs to update the services corresponding to bit 6 and the service corresponding to bit 4 while keeping all other services and hence bits unchanged, the present teachings provides an improved way of doing this compared to prior art, wherein all values would be used. In particular, a

provisioning mask is provided, an example of which is illustrated in Figure 3B. If the BSS 1 wants to update bit 6 and bit 4 of the parameter, it simply sends a request identifying these bits, i.e. identifying which values to change and also the new value. For this binary example, the mask would be a parameter in accordance with: sixth bit and fourth bit being set to "1", and the remaining bits being set to "0". That is, the bits of the parameter that are to be changed are indicated by a 1 (i.e. bits 6 and 4), while the bits of the parameter that are to remain unchanged are indicated by a zero (i.e. bits 8, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1 ). Figure 3C illustrates the parameter comprising the values for the services that are to be provided to users from now on. In particular, the parameter is in accordance with: bits 8, 7, 6, 5, 3 and 1 are set to "1 " and bits 4 and 2 are set to "0".

With this mask, bit 6 and bit 4 are thus set to " to indicate that the bits should apply the new value from the request. BSS 1 only needs to care about bit 4 and bit 6, and provide the wanted value in the update request, all the other bits can be any value, since they will be ignored by provisioning node 7.

The provisioning node 7 may, after receiving the update request, first initiate a GET operation towards the network element 10i , 10₂, ... , 10_n to fetch the original, currently used values. According to the mask, the provisioning node 7 will aggregate the new value of bit 6 and bit 4 with the corresponding original, currently used values and send it to the network element 10i , 10₂, ... , 10_n. On the network element 10i , 10₂, ... , 10_n side, bit 6 and bit 4 of the parameter are updated accordingly and the other bits are kept without change.

Figures 4A, 4B illustrate a particular example of implementation for a parameter with multi-string values. The parameter, illustrate in Figure 4A, comprises eight (8) separate strings as its values. Each string may represent a respective specific service; i.e. the first string represents a first service, the second string represents a second service etc. For example, string 6 of the parameter is for service 6 and string 4 of the parameter is for service 4. BSS 1 needs to update the values for these services, i.e. service 6 and service 4 and keep all the other services unchanged.

Figure 4B illustrates how the corresponding mask would look like. In particular, the mask comprises eight bits, wherein bits 6 and 4 are set to " in order to indicate that string 6 and 4 should be updated. The BSS 1 thus only needs to provide the desired values for string 6 and string 4 in its update request to the provisioning node 7, while keeping all the other values unchanged.

With reference to Figure 5 a method 20 performed in a provisioning node 7 for updating a multi-value parameter is illustrated. The provisioning node 7 provides a BSS 1 , and in particular business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5 of the BSS 1 , with an interface towards a telecommunication network 9 comprising a network element 10i , ... , 10_n. The method 20 comprises receiving 21 , from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter. The request comprises an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter. The request thus comprises the mask and the actual new values.

The method 20 comprises retrieving 22, from the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, the current multi-value parameter. That is, the currently used multi-value parameter is retrieved from the network element 10i , ... , 10_n involved in handling the respective service.

The method 20 comprises aggregating 23 the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request in accordance with the indication in the request from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5. This aggregation provides an updated multi-value parameter.

The method 20 comprises sending 24, to the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, a command to update according to the updated multi-value parameter. The network element 10i , ... , 10_n is then configured with the new values according to which the services are to be provided to the particular user.

In an embodiment, the method 20 comprises receiving (not shown), from the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, confirmation that the multi-value parameter has been updated.

In an embodiment, the method 20 comprises providing (not shown) a return response to the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5 confirming that the identified values have been updated in the network element 10i , ... , 10_n.

In an embodiment, the values of the multi-value parameter correspond to services provided by the network element 10i , ... , 10_n to users of the telecommunication network 9.

In an embodiment, the request comprises a parameter having a number of bits equal to the number of values of the multi-value parameter, each bit corresponding to a respective one of the values of the multi-value parameter, the indication in the request identifying the one or more values to be updated by a bit set to binary value "1 "and indicating the remaining values to be unchanged with a bit set to binary value "0".

In an embodiment, the request comprises a parameter having a number of bits equal to the number of values of the multi-value parameter, each bit corresponding to a respective one of the values of the multi-value parameter, the indication in the request identifying the one or more values to be updated by a bit set to binary value "0"and indicating the remaining values to be unchanged with a bit set to binary value "1 ". In first variations of the above two embodiments, each value of the multi-value parameter comprises a binary value, and wherein each bit of the indication in the request corresponds to a respective binary value of the multi-value parameter. Each binary value of the multi-value parameter may for example correspond to a specific service provided by the telecommunication network 9.

In second variations, each value of the multi-value parameter comprises a string, and wherein each bit of the indication in the request corresponds to a respective string of the multi-value parameter. Each string of the multi-value parameter may for example correspond to a specific service provided by the telecommunication network 9.

In an embodiment, the number of the one or more values of the multi-value parameter to be updated is smaller than the total number of values of the multi- value parameter. That is, only some of the values need updating.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically a network node and means for implementing methods of the present teachings. The network node comprises a processor comprising any combination of one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit etc. capable of executing software instructions stored in a memory 33, which can thus be a computer program product 33. The processor 30 can be configured to execute any of the various embodiments of the method as described in relation to Figure 5. In particular, a provisioning node 7 is provided for updating a multi-value

parameter. The provisioning node 7 provides a business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5 with an interface towards a telecommunication network 9 comprising a network element 10i , ... , 10_n. The provisioning node 7 comprises a processor 30 and memory 32 containing instructions executable by the processor 30, whereby the provisioning node 7 is operative to:

- receive, from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value

parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter, - retrieve, from the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, the current multi-value parameter,

- aggregate, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5, the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter, and

- send, to the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, a command to update according to the updated multi-value parameter. In an embodiment, the provisioning node 7 is configured to receive, from the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, confirmation that the multi-value parameter has been updated.

In an embodiment, the provisioning node 7 is configured to provide a return response to the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5 confirming that the identified values have been updated in the network element 10i , ... , 10_n .

In another embodiment, the request comprises a parameter having a number of bits equal to the number of values of the multi-value parameter, each bit corresponding to a respective one of the values of the multi-value parameter, the indication in the request identifying the one or more values to be updated by a bit set to binary value "0"and indicating the remaining values to be unchanged with a bit set to binary value "1". In first variations of the above two embodiments, each value of the multi-value parameter comprises a binary value, and wherein each bit of the indication in the request corresponds to a respective binary value of the multi-value parameter. Each binary value of the multi-value parameter may for example correspond to a specific service provided by the telecommunication network 9.

In an embodiment, the number of the one or more values of the multi-value parameter to be updated is smaller than the total number of values of the multi- value parameter.

Still with reference to Figure 6, the memory 33 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 33 also comprises persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

A data memory 32 may also be provided for reading and/or storing data during execution of software instructions in the processor 30. The data memory 32 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).

An input/output interface 34 is provided to allow the provisioning node 7 to communicate with other entities such as the BSS 1 and the telecommunication network 9.

The teachings of the present application also encompasses a computer program product 32 comprising a computer program 31 for implementing the methods as described above, and a computer readable means on which the computer program 32 is stored. The computer program product 32 may be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The computer program product 32 may also comprise persistent storage, which for example can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory or solid state memory.

The present teachings thus comprise a computer program 31 for a provisioning node 7 for updating a multi-value parameter. The provisioning node 7 provides a business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5 with an interface towards a

telecommunication network 9 comprising a network element 10i , ... , 10_n, as has been described. The computer program 31 comprises computer program code, which, when run on the provisioning node 7, causes the provisioning node 7 to:

- receive, from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the remaining values of the current multi-value parameter to be unchanged,

- receive, from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter,

- retrieve, from the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, the current multi-value

parameter,

- aggregate, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5 the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter.

The present teachings also encompasses a computer program product 32 comprising a computer program 31 as described above, and a computer readable means on which the computer program 31 is stored.

The computer program product 32, or the memory 32, thus comprises instructions executable by the processor 30. Such instructions may be comprised in a computer program, or in one or more software modules or function modules. An example of an implementation using functions modules/software modules is illustrated in Figure 7, in particular illustrating a provisioning node 7 comprising functions modules for implementing various embodiments of the methods of the present teachings. The provisioning node 7 comprises means, in particular a first function module 40, for receiving, from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5, a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter. The provisioning node 7 comprises a second function module 41 for retrieving, from the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, the current multi-value parameter. The provisioning node 7 comprises a third function module 42 for aggregating, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node 2, 3, 4, 5, the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter. The provisioning node 7 comprises a fourth function module 43 for sending, to the network element 10i , ... , 10_n, a command to update according to the updated multi-value parameter. The provisioning node 7 may comprise additional function modules implementing yet additional steps of the various embodiments of the method as described. The functional modules 40, 41 , 42, 43 can be implemented using software instructions such as computer program executing in a processor and/or using hardware, such as application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, discrete logical components etc. The present teachings have mainly been described herein with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the particular ones disclosed herein are equally possible within the scope of the teachings, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A method (20) performed in a provisioning node (7) for updating a multi-value parameter, the provisioning node (7) providing a business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5) with an interface towards a telecommunication network (9) comprising a network element (10i, ... ,10_n), the method (20) comprising: receiving (21 ), from the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5), a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter,

retrieving (22), from the network element (10i , ... , 10_n), the current multi-value parameter,

aggregating (23), according to the indication in the request from the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5) the retrieved current multi- value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter, and sending (24), to the network element (10i , ... , 10_n), a command to update according to the updated multi-value parameter.

2. The method (20) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising receiving, from the

network element (10i, ... ,10_n), confirmation that the multi-value parameter has been updated.

3. The method (20) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising providing a return response to the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5) confirming that the identified values have been updated in the network element (10i, ... ,10_n) .

4. The method (20) as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the values of the multi- value parameter correspond to services provided by the network element

(10i , ... , 10_n) to users of the telecommunication network (9).

5. The method (20) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the

request comprises a parameter having a number of bits equal to the number of values of the multi-value parameter, each bit corresponding to a respective one of the values of the multi-value parameter, the indication in the request identifying the one or more values to be updated by a bit set to binary value "1 "and indicating the remaining values to be unchanged with a bit set to binary value "0".

6. The method (20) as claimed in any of claims 1 -4, wherein the request

comprises a parameter having a number of bits equal to the number of values of the multi-value parameter, each bit corresponding to a respective one of the values of the multi-value parameter, the indication in the request identifying the one or more values to be updated by a bit set to binary value "0"and indicating the remaining values to be unchanged with a bit set to binary value "1 ".

7. The method (20) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein each value of the multi- value parameter comprises a binary value, and wherein each bit of the indication in the request corresponds to a respective binary value of the multi- value parameter.

8. The method (20) as claimed in claim 7, wherein each binary value of the

multi-value parameter corresponds to a specific service provided by the telecommunication network (9).

9. The method (20) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein each value of the multi- value parameter comprises a string, and wherein each bit of the indication in the request corresponds to a respective string of the multi-value parameter.

10. The method (20) as claimed in claim 9, wherein each string of the multi-value parameter corresponds to a specific service provided by the

telecommunication network (9).

1 1 . The method (20) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the

number of the one or more values of the multi-value parameter to be updated is smaller than the total number of values of the multi-value parameter.

A provisioning node (7) for updating a multi-value parameter, the provisioning node (7) providing a business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5) with an interface towards a telecommunication network (9) comprising a network element (10i , ... , 10_n), the provisioning node (7) comprising a processor (30) and memory (32) containing instructions executable by the processor (30), whereby the provisioning node (7) is operative to:

receive, from the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5), a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter,

retrieve, from the network element (10i , ... , 10_n), the current multi- value parameter,

aggregate, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5), the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter, and

send, to the network element (10i , ... , 10_n), a command to update according to the updated multi-value parameter.

13. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in claim 12, configured to receive, from the network element (10i , ... , 10_n), confirmation that the multi-value parameter has been updated.

14. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in claim 12 or 13, configured to provide a return response to the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5) confirming that the identified values have been updated in the network element

(10! , ... , 10_n) .

15. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the values of the multi-value parameter correspond to services provided by the network element (10i , ... , 10_n) to users of the telecommunication network (9).

16. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in any of claims 12-15, wherein the

17. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in any of claims 12-15, wherein the

request comprises a parameter having a number of bits equal to the number of values of the multi-value parameter, each bit corresponding to a respective one of the values of the multi-value parameter, the indication in the request identifying the one or more values to be updated by a bit set to binary value "0"and indicating the remaining values to be unchanged with a bit set to binary value "1 ".

18. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein each value of the multi-value parameter comprises a binary value, and wherein each bit of the indication in the request corresponds to a respective binary value of the multi-value parameter.

19. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in claim 18, wherein each binary value of the multi-value parameter corresponds to a specific service provided by the telecommunication network (9).

20. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein each value of the multi-value parameter comprises a string, and wherein each bit of the indication in the request corresponds to a respective string of the multi-value parameter.

21 . The provisioning node (7) as claimed in claim 20, wherein each string of the multi-value parameter corresponds to a specific service provided by the telecommunication network (9).

22. The provisioning node (7) as claimed in any of claims 12-21 , wherein the

23. A computer program (31 ) for a provisioning node (7) for updating a multi-value parameter, the provisioning node (7) providing a business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5) with an interface towards a telecommunication network (9) comprising a network element (10i , ... , 10_n), the computer program (31 ) comprising computer program code, which, when run on the provisioning node (7) causes the provisioning node (7) to:

receive, from the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5), a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the remaining values of the current multi-value parameter to be unchanged,

aggregate, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5) the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter.

24. A computer program product (32) comprising a computer program (31 ) as claimed in claim 23, and a computer readable means on which the computer program (31 ) is stored.

25. A provisioning node (7) for updating a multi-value parameter, the provisioning node (7) providing a business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5) with an interface towards a telecommunication network (9) comprising a network element (10i , ... , 10_n), the provisioning node (7) comprising:

means (40) for receiving, from the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5), a request for updating a current multi-value parameter, the request comprising an indication identifying one or more values of the current multi-value parameter to be updated and the corresponding new one or more values of the multi-value parameter,

means (41 ) for retrieving, from the network element (10i , ... , 10_n), the current multi-value parameter,

means (42) for aggregating, according to the indication in the request from the business support system node (2, 3, 4, 5), the retrieved current multi-value parameter with the new one or more values received in the request, providing an updated multi-value parameter, and

means (43) for sending, to the network element (10i , ... , 10_n), a command to update according to the updated multi-value parameter.