A method for operating a network includes combining modules, which are lower-level service functions of the network, to compose a service, which is a higher-level service function of the network. At least two modules of the modules interact according to a policy for providing and/or monitoring and/or optimizing the service. The modules have an awareness, that includes a location-awareness and/or a proximity-awareness, with respect to at least one other module for deciding and/or varying: the amount and/or kind of interaction between the modules and/or the at least one other module; and/or a location of at least one of the at least one other module and/or the modules, at runtime depending on the awareness of a location and/or a proximity and on the policy.