Peter Black (NGNuk) - Chair
Peter Ryde (NGNuk)
Andy May (Cable & Wireless)
Steve Unger (Ofcom)
Phil Male (Thus)
Alireza Mahmoodshahi (Colt)
Stuart Shutt (Orange)
Andy King (Virgin Media)
Neil McArthur (Opal)
John Morden (BTW)
Justin Fielder (Easynet)
Huw Saunders (Kingston)
Angus Flett (BT Wholesale)
Robyn Durie (T-Mobile)
Phil Kirby (Vodafone)
Minutes - No changes to the draft minutes had been received. The minutes of the last meeting were therefore accepted
Actions - See outstanding actions update at the end of this document
Richard Cadman (SPC Network) attended the Exec meeting to present back on the first phase of his work for NGNuk. This covers:
The summary the presentation indicated that member's views pointed towards:
The following observations and comments were made:
Action 1 - 29/03/2007 - Richard Cadman to break out Voice in greater detail in the final version of the presentation.
End-to-End Requirements Definition
Feedback had been received from the majority of members on the first draft . Calls had taken place with Cognos to review the responses with the authors.
An updated version had been sent out on 16th March with a request for comments by 28th March. To facilitate a response each author and programme board representative had been sent an audit trail of how their comments had been incorporated or dealt with. 3 responses had been received.
It was agreed that the E2E be put on the web site and that public comments be invited.
Interconnect Requirements Definition
A revised content listing for the Interconnect Requirements had been issued for comment on 14th March. This brings the contents into line with the E2E documentation.
The first draft of the Interconnect Requirements was issued on 26th March with responses requested by 13th April. Responses will be treated as per the E2E requirements document namely all respondents will be interviewed and will receive and audit trail of how their comments have been treated.
The Exec agreed that the Interconnect Requirements will be published for comment on the NGNuk website once they are sufficiently complete. They requirements will not have to be represented to the Exec meeting however endorsement via email will be required.
Leo Todd (Cognos) gave a brief overview of the 1st draft in terms of the underlying inputs and where he felt the requirements lacked information. He felt the key requirements missing detail were Near Real Time and Streaming
Green Release status
The TRG had reviewed the status of the Green Release against the plan and it's status had been moved to Red.
The delays had been caused by initial confusion regarding the more detailed specification of the requirements themselves, through the non availability of resources to support the requirements and due to the non availability of some international standards. In some areas NICC has draft text developed but industry has been unable to review in other areas no draft text is available
TSG007 Mandatory Requirement ID. | Summary Requirement | RAG | |
I | SIP for IMS, Internet and PSTN | Fixed-Mobile Interconnect Service (F-MIS) | Red |
J | Bandwidth management, codec negotiation | Red | |
K | Different Packetisation rates for Services | Red | |
L | Number Admin and Routeing | Red | |
M | Emergency Calls and EGTPS | Red | |
N | VLA Tranche 1 | Red | |
O | Overload Control | Red | |
P | Routed Layer 3 Transport - to be dropped |
| |
Q | Improved MSI Failure Detection | Red | |
Additional (C21) Requirements | Summary Requirement |
| |
| Overlap Signalling Best Practice Guide - NNA WG anticipated completion end January 2007 | Green | |
| Voice Packet Delay Variation | Red | |
| B2B | Green | |
Purple Release Further Requirements |
|
| |
| Emergency Calls and EGTPS | Green | |
The TSG is to meet on the 24th April to determine whether to delay or re-scope the Green Release.
The subsequent Exec discussion covered a number of points:
The Exec believed that NICC should follow the lead given my NGNk in terms of prioritisation
The Exec asked that NICC provide more detail on the status of each requirement in terms what is causing the underlying delay and what is required for completion
Action 2 - 29/03/2007 - Peter Ryde to liaise with Paul Rosbotham to provide the Exec with more detail on the status of each requirement within the Green release and specifically what is causing the underlying delay and what is required for completion
The programme plan to develop the charging framework for the priority services was presented to both the Commercial Group and the Exec at the end of Feb. The plan proposed two reviews with CP's. The first at a high level and the 2nd a more detailed evaluation based on the output of the first.
The plan showed that CP's should now be providing input as part of the initial round however, the feedback on the initial draft of the questions was that CPs were unlikely to hold sufficiently detailed views on what might be chargeable or how these might be charged. A revised approach presented by the Secretariat created similar concerns. Final agreement was obtained at the commercial meeting on 15th March subject to a "workshop" developing some support material on what might be chargeable. This work shop was held on 26th March.
This element of the programme has therefore been delayed by a month. It may lose further time if CPs feel that further preparation work ( beyond the output of the workshop ) is required.
Following the last Exec meeting the draft paper on Interconnect Numbers and Locations was updated to reflect the Exec comments. No comments on the final paper were received from either the commercial group or the Exec so it was forwarded to BTW on 16th March.
Subsequently Viatel have expressed a concern that their requirement for a small number of interconnects was not adequately represented in the final paper.
John Morden (BTW) had provided a written summary of BTW's initial response to the NGNuk document on Interconnect numbers and locations recently sent by NGNuk
In summary:
Details of what product is to be available where should be made via Consult 21
The following points were raised and discussed by the Exec:
Action 3 -29/03/2007 : BTW to respond in detail regarding the NGNuk paper prior to the NGNuk paper entering the Consult 21 process.
Action 4 -29/03/2007 : Peter Ryde to write to Consult 21 to reconfirm the scope of the NGNuk paper and to seek dialogue prior to the release of any Consultation document so that NGNuk can refine it's position should this be appropriate
Action 5 - 29/03/2007 : Andy May to develop outline consultants brief to identify industry distance gradients ( and / or nodal costs) for comment
Action 6 - 29/03/2207 : BTW to provide a definitive statement to NGNuk on what products and services will be interconnected where ( C-MSAN , F-MSAN, Metro and Core)
Programme Plan
An updated Programme plan was presented to the Exec. This is appended. It was noted that the overall programme scope would be presented at the April Exec. This would necessitate a major overhaul of the programme plan as far more detailed information would be available.
The Programme Board on 3rd April will be asked to review the initial draft programme scope derived from the draft E2E and Interconnect Requirements. This and the subsequent Programme Board meeting would aim to agree the scope of the work streams, an outline of the resources, outputs and timing. It would be presented to the Exec in April for comment and endorsement. It was requested that the Exec ensure that their representatives attend the Programme Board on 3rd April.
Action 7 - 29/03/2007 - Exec members to ensure that their representatives on the Programme Board attend the 3rd April meeting
Issues Arising from Requirements Process
As part the requirements definition process a number of issues were identified which affect the overall Programme scope. These were discussed with the Exec as follows:
Interconnect Framework
Implicit in documentation submitted by members and explicitly requested in some comments there is an implicit assumption that the framework for NGN interconnects will be based on PSTN interconnect constructs but this is not documented. Documenting this would add clarity to the work programme, gives direction to other work elements.
The Exec agreed to make the implicit assumption explicit. The existing PSTN framework will be used as the starting point for the framework for NGN Interconnections and changes should only be made where this would lead to tangible customer benefits and an improved framework.
Action 8 - 29/03/2007 - Leo Todd to incorporate within next draft of interconnect requirements.
QoS
From explicit references in requirements documentation there is a consistent requirement for QoS classes to support the end-to-end and interconnect services. QoS is at the core of the service definitions. Early agreement on the number and characteristics will provide a sound basis for future work.
The Exec agreed to task NICC with the action to validate the choice of 4 payload QoS Classes, to define their characteristics, to demonstrate how they would support the service requirements and highlight any shortcomings.
Action 9 - 29/03/2007 - Peter Ryde to scope action regarding the validation of 4 QoS classes and pass to NICC.
Numbering and Addressing
Within the requirements there is a definite requirement for E.164 and number translation but there is no clear requirement on the wider requirements of numbering and addressing. This needs to be addressed or it will impair service portability, one of the stated aims in NGNUK.
Exec to agreed that the work programme needs to review the wider opportunity surrounding numbering and addressing in line with the principles of NGNuk and well beyond E.164. This will be addressed as part of the overall programme scope.
Multilateral Interconnects
The impact of whether services would be interconnected on a bilateral or multilateral basis will affect the scale and scope of the work programme. It was agreed that the Exec needed to decide on whether specific service types are SMP and/or are the subject of multilateral interconnects.
It was agreed that Andy King would propose a framework for how this might be reviewed.
Action 10 - 29/03/2007 - propose a framework by which the requirements of CPs for multilateral vs. bilateral interconnect can be established. Andy King.
Authentication
No authentication model is in place to mirror that implicit in legacy networks. High level agreement on an industry wide approach to shape Interconnect Requirements and subsequent work plan is required. This would affect work on security, quality, service degradation though SPIT, SPAM and spoofing etc.
Phil Male offered to develop a framework proposal for discussion amongst the Exec.
Action 11 -29/03/2007 - Phil Male to develop a framework proposal for a high level industry wide approach to authentication.
Presence
Specific requirements exist for presence services. There is no clarity on whether presence would be part of multi-lateral interconnect scope and how (or if) it would be charged.
The longer term requirements for presence may have significant impact on service design, ubiquity and portability (cf the value and utility that presence/location creates in mobile networks). It was felt also that requirement for presence also touched on the "Net Neutrality debate"
It was agreed that Stuart Shutt would review the benefits of mandating the sharing of presence information across industry and the potential impact of making this chargeable or otherwise.
Action 12 - 29/03/2007 - Review the benefits of mandating the sharing of presence information across industry and the potential impact of making this chargeable or otherwise. Stuart Shutt
OTA2
Peter Black discussed his email of 20th March regarding the evolution of the OTA and it's impact on NGNuk. This was largely related to shared resource around programme management and Chairmanship. The Exec were comfortable with what had been proposed.
Payment
Some invoices for 2006/7 are still outstanding whilst 2007/8 invoices will be issued shortly. The Exec were informed that an additional invoice covering VAT for 2006/7 will also be issued shortly.
ISPA letter of Concern
A letter dated 6th March had been received. This raised a concern that the interests of the wider internet community were not being fully considered at NGNuk meetings and that the transparency of NGNuk remains an ongoing concern for the ISPA council. Finally the letter enquired about the review detailed within the NGNuk constitution.
It was noted that 3 NGNuk members have representatives on the ISPA council yet no concerns had been raised by these members nor were the Exec representatives of NGNuk aware of the ISPA letter.
The concerns were discussed by the Exec. The Exec agreed that the minutes published on the public web site were a fair reflection of the overall status, that individual ISPA members have the opportunity to join NGNuk, that associate membership is open to ISPA and that ISPA can raise specific concerns or provide specific inputs to via the Secretariat.
The ISPA letter made reference to section 17.3 of the constitution which makes reference to a 6 month review by Ofcom. Steve Unger stated that no member of the Exec had requested this, nor any other member. It was therefore inappropriate to initiate a review at this point in time. In addition Ofcom would also consider initiating a review if it had concerns about the programme which it felt was not being addressed. This is not the case at this time. In addition Peter Black reminded the Exec of his request for feedback on progress that was discussed at the January 2007 Exec meeting
The Secretariat would respond to the ISPA letter conveying the points discussed by the Exec.
Review
Peter Black stated that as the next Exec will review the overall programme scope and that this will coincide with the issuing of the 2007/8 invoices that he would be seeking to initiate a wider review of the commitment towards meeting these goals
The next meeting will be 10.00 to 14.00 on 26th April 2007 at Riverside House.
Future scheduled meetings:
Date | Meeting | Time |
31st May 2007 | NGNuk Executive Meeting | 10.00 - 14.00 |
Peter Ryde
NGNuk Office
07771 555 048
020 7783 4688
Action 3 - 26/6 - Peter Black undertook with the help of Ofcom to take the necessary steps to apply for registration of the 'NGNuk' logo.27/7 - Application for registration of the NGNuk logo is in preparation by Ofcom. Steps have already been taken to secure URLs 'ngnuk.org.uk' and 'ngnuk.co.uk'. Unfortunately, 'ngnuk.com' is already reserved. 28/9 - The application was registered at the beginning of September and the trademark attorneys are now waiting for the trademark office to process it. This normally takes about 6 weeks, so we should hear something in about 2-3 weeks. 26/10 - the trademark lawyer is still waiting for the application to be processed by the trademark authority. It has taken longer than normal. 14/12 Still awaiting a response from the Trademark Authority . Update - the NGNuk trademark was published by the UK Trademark Office on 1st December 2006. The 3 month period for objections has passed without event and the trademark was confirmed on 16 March. The paperwork has yet to reach us. | NGNuk Secretariat 27/7/2006 Completed |
Action 5- 25/01/2007 - Peter Ryde to progress NGNuk Requirements Scope document to Final Draft stage in readiness for formal review and agreement by the full membership by the end of February. Comments received on 2nd draft. Updated draft to be put on the NGNuk web site for public comment. | Clive Fedida 28/2/2007 Ongoing |
Action 6 - 25/01/2007 - Secretariat to provide an updated Programme Plan at the end of Feb Copy included within Minutes | Secretariat Completed |
Action 7 - 25/01/2007 In discussion with NICC to identify where NICC require NGNuk commercial input to facilitate progress on the technical solutions for ENUM for discussion at the Feb Exec. No support required immediately. Activity will be addressed within overall NGNuk scope. | Secretariat Deleted |
Action 1 - 22/02/2007 - provide a more detailed listing of the products which the Charging Framework programme will address. Incorporated within the documentation in line with Exec minutes of 22nd Feb 2007 | Charging Work Group Completed |
Action 2- 22/02/2007 - update Programme Plan in line with Exec comments and distribute. | Peter Ryde Completed |
Action 3 - 22/02/2007 - To update the work group recommendations on interconnect numbers and locations to reflect the views of the Exec. The updated document to be circulated to the Exec for agreement. Agreed document sent to BTW on 16th March | Peter Ryde Completed |
Action 4 - 22/02/2007 - Brief Cognos to widen the scope of draft interconnect requirements to include NGN to Legacy interconnection for voice services. Ist draft includes this. | Peter Ryde Completed |
Action 5 - 22/02/2007 - Ofcom to discuss with Professor Sir John O'Rilley NICC actions required to support the Green Release being delivered to plan. | Steve Unger |
Action 6 - 22/02/2007 - Exec members to respond (to Peter Ryde) regarding the resource requirements and / or lack of support identified within resource plan provided by NICC (Paul Rosbotham) . A view of where how their vendors might better support NICC should be provided as part of this. Paul Rosbotham stated that Orange, Thus and Colt had made contact. In addition Thus stated they had approached Nortel regarding support for NICC. | Exec 02/03/2007 Ongoing |
Action 7 - 22/02/2007 - Secretariat to draft letter to be sent by NGNuk to vendors to solicit greater support for NICC in the development of the Green Release and distribute to Exec for comment. Draft prepared but not yet circulated | Secretariat Ongoing |
Action 8 - 22/02/2007 - Confirm the status of the Terms of Reference covering interaction of NGNuk with NICC within NICC. These are agreed by the NGNuk Exec and are required to be endorsed by the NICC Exec in April | Peter Ryde Ongoing |
Action 9 - 22/02/2007 - Secretariat to confirm status of Nominet versus the membership criteria detailed within the constitution. The terms of the NGNuk constitution state that " membership is open to any company that is an Electronic Communications Network or Service Provider that has a bona fide and demonstrable intention to interconnect , use or invest in NGN in the UK". Whilst it was recognised that Nominet would make a valuable contribution to the work groups they did not comply with the membership criteria. This stimulated a wider debate and the Exec felt that where non members felt they could actively contribute to a work stream they should be allowed to offer this. It would be up to the work stream leader to determine whether such assistance was required or appropriate. Two actions were placed on the Secretariat, firstly to review the constitution as to any changes required to facilitate this and secondly to develop some guidance for work stream leaders. | Secretariat Completed |
Action 1 - 29/03/2007 - Break out voice in greater detail in the final version of the presentation on Charge Model Analysis | Peter Ryde Richard Cadman |
Action 2 - 29/03/2007 -NGNuk to liaise with Paul Rosbotham to provide the Exec with more detail on the status of each requirement within the Green release and specifically what is causing the underlying delay and what is required for completion | Peter Ryde |
Action 3 -29/03/2007 : BTW to respond in detail regarding the NGNuk paper prior to the NGNuk paper entering the Consult 21 process. | BTW |
Action 4 -29/03/2007 : NGNuk to write to Consult 21 to reconfirm the scope of the NGNuk paper and to seek dialogue prior to the release of any Consultation document so that NGNuk can refine it's position should this be appropriate | Peter Ryde |
Action 5 - 29/03/2007 : develop outline consultants brief to identify industry distance gradients ( and / or nodal costs) for comment | Andy May |
Action 6 - 29/03/2207 : provide a definitive statement to NGNuk on what products and services will be interconnected where ( C-MSAN , F-MSAN, Metro and Core) | BTW |
Action 7 - 29/03/2007 - Members to ensure that their representatives on the Programme Board attend the 3rd April meeting. | Exec |
Action 8 - 29/03/2007 -Incorporate that the interconnect framework should be developed from existing voice frameworks unless positive benefits of change for the consumer are identified, This should be included within next draft of interconnect requirements | Leo Todd Peter Ryde |
Action 9 - 29/03/2007 - Scope request regarding the validation of 4 QoS classes and pass to NICC | Peter Ryde |
Action 10 - 29/03/2007 - Propose a framework by which the requirements of CPs for multilateral vs. bilateral interconnect can be established. | Andy King |
Action 11 -29/03/2007 - Develop a framework proposal for a high level industry wide approach to authentication | Phil Male |
Action 12 - 29/03/2007 - Review the benefits of mandating the sharing of presence information across industry and the potential impact of making this chargeable or otherwise. | Stuart Shutt |
Action 13 - 29/03/2007 - review the constitution as to any changes required to facilitate allowing non members to participate within the work streams ( when requested to do so by a work stream leader) | Peter Ryde |
Action 14 - 29/03/2007 - Develop guidance notes for work stream leaders regarding the use of non members within a work stream. | Peter Ryde |