NTT Docomo and Fujitsu have developed two technologies, which it claims to detect and locate silent failures in IP networks faster and accurate than currently possible.

The companies claim that the new technologies will enable it to shorten the time required to recover from silent failures, which will support the launch of LTE services over its IP-based mobile network.

According to Docomo, one of the two new technologies analyses data on test transmissions, loss rates and network delays, which facilitates detection of silent failures; and also detects warning signs of silent failures that are possibly about to occur.

The second technology identifies the location of silent failures by analysing data from routes over which data is being transmitted. In trials conducted on Docomo’s existing FOMA 3G network, the technology identified failure locations by up to 80% faster than the conventional method, the companies claim.

In addition, the technology also enhances network-monitoring systems by analysing failure and operational data in combination, which improves the accuracy of failure location and enables ordinary and silent failures to be separately identified.