NGNuk Executive Meeting - 25th September 2008

Attendees:

Rod Smith NGNuk

Peter Ryde NGNuk

Andy May (CW)

Steve Best (BT)

Neil McArthur (CPW)

Marcus Webb (Vodafone)

Keith Greenfield (Orange)

Stuart Shutt (Orange) (Audio)

Marina Gibbs (Ofcom)

Gareth Davies (Ofcom)

Ed Rushton (Ofcom)

Phil Male (Thus)

Huw Saunders (KCOM)

Robyn Durie ( T-Mobile)

Steve Perry (Ofcom)

Chris Rowsell (Ofcom)

 

Apologies: Ben Philips (Sky), Mark Dalziel (NGNuk), Detlef Spang (Colt)

To top

Agenda

  • Minutes and Actions
  • Ofcom NGN Consultation
  • Update on Minimum Security Standards
  • Update on NICC Orange Release
  • NGNuk Priorities
  • AOB

To top

Minutes and Actions

The minutes of the June meeting were approved. The updated actions are at the end of this document

To top

Ofcom NGN Consultation

At the March and June Exec meetings, Ofcom had led a discussion on how best to seek industry input towards a proposed NGN consultation as well as the Executive's views on specific questions. Gareth Davies and Ed Rushton attended the September Exec to provide feedback on the current status of the proposed consultation and to review with the Executive Ofcom's their views on those areas which the consultation may address.

A lengthy and constructive debate took place between the Executive on the views that Ofcom presented. Ofcom welcomed the feedback and agreed to provide a further update at the November Executive.

The Ofcom slides will be circulated to both the Executive and Participating members with these minutes.

To top

Ofcom Narrowband Market Review

Chris Rowsell and Steve Perry attended the Executive to provide an update on the Narrowband Market Review. The anticipated timescale at present is to issue information requests in December with a Wholesale ConDoc in January or February 2009. A final statement from Ofcom should be expected during Q3 3009 with NCC lagging this date due to the need for market reviews. Completion was still expected prior to the end of September 2009.

Key issues to be addressed during the process included:

  • The impact of moving from a PSTN to NGN regime ( and the impact on markets)
  • Remedies for NGNs vs. those that can be applied today
  • Fixed vs. Mobile substitution and convergence
  • Whether specific narrowband markets continue

Ofcom stressed that, as there are associated projects running in parallel, they would be seeking to ensure that all output was consistent across these linked work streams.

To top

Proposed New Minimum Security Standards for Industry

When the proposed minimum security standards were discussed at the June NGNuk Executive, the Exec favoured wider adoption of the standard rather than an initial focus around LLUO. It was recognised, however, that the limited membership of NGNuk would be an impediment to rapid progress on an industry wide basis. The Executive had therefore agreed with the Ofcom suggestion that the LLUOs were a defined subset which facilitated initial implementation and learning.

At the June Executive it was therefore agreed that OTA2 would be better placed to facilitate implementation amongst LLUOs rather than NGUK itself. This narrow implementation was referred to OTA2 for adoption. The NGNuk Exec agreed that legislation/General Condition was required to support any wider application beyond this.

The OTA2 Executive confirmed their organisations' support for the implementation of the minimum standard at the OTA2 Executive on 29th July subject to a better understanding of the implications of adoption. The implementation of the minimum security standard was discussed with Products and Commercial Group within OTA2 on 19th August and September.

The PCG agreed that any implementation had to fulfil the following conditions:

  • That adoption by a LLUO remains voluntary
  • That no significant contractual changes would be required to support implementation
  • Implementation of the NICC standard will only apply to the Physical security of the Openreach MUA and the equipment within it
  • That there is an implicit assumption, which needs to be validated, that the cost of adoption is minimal
  • That Openreach will not be put in the position of "Policemen"

The PCG agreed that the aim of LLUOs should be to develop a "Code of Practice" which defines the levels to which elements of the NICC standard will be supported, within the context of a scope limited to physical security.

The aim is that over the next 4 weeks LLUOs will develop and identify:

  • An LLUO interpretation of how the specification should be implemented
  • The status of LLUOs regarding how they meet this unterpretation
  • The potential costs and timing to meet the scope of implementation

This approach had been endorsed by OTA2 Exec; however, they had requested the OTA2 write to Ofcom to provide an update on progress but also to inform Ofcom of the OTA Executive's view that adoption beyond the limited Code of Practice would be impractical without supporting legislation. NGNuk concurred with this view. It was suggested, however, that OTA2 should also write to BERR as co-sponsor of the 12th May seminar. 

To top

NICC Interconnect Standards

A brief update on the Orange release of Interconnect Standards was provided. All proposed activity is now supported by sufficient operators with the exception of Item O (Instant Messaging) and Item X (A study on the use of CND for SMS Geographic numbers).

Peter Ryde raised the issue of NICC membership. NGNuk is not a member of NICC but does, on occasion, participate within the TSG and associated meetings. NGNuk had been written to about membership. Peter stated that he would approach NICC for 'observer' status similar to Ofcom but with a fall back to 'associate' if this could not be agreed. This approach was accepted by the Executive.

To top

2008 Priorities and Focus

An outstanding action held over from earlier Exec meetings was a discussion amongst the Executive regarding work priorities for NGNuk. The input for this discussion included outstanding actions on the Exec, existing work items and direct input from Executive members. It was acknowledged prior to the discussion that a number of the priorities had been overtaken by events.

Ending of NCC - The Exec determined that this had been covered adequately during discussions with Ofcom on the proposed NGN consultation and NBMR. It was felt, however, that progress should be reviewed in 3 months time.

Reciprocity Agreements - The Exec determined that this had been covered adequately during discussions with Ofcom on the proposed NGN consultation and NBMR. It was again felt that progress should be reviewed in 3 months time.

A Level Playing Field for all CPs building NGNs - The Exec determined that this had been covered adequately during discussions with Ofcom on the proposed NGN consultation. It was felt, however, that progress should be reviewed in 3 months time.

Deep build of NGNs - The Exec determined that this had been covered adequately during discussions with Ofcom on the proposed NGN consultation and NBMR.  It was felt, however, that progress should be reviewed in 3 months time.

BT Undertakings - It was not felt appropriate that NGNuk should consider this subject at this time but that it should be carried forward for future review.

SMPF and MPF - The question of whether industry should continue with SMPF was raised since there is no migration path from SMPF to MPF without moving wires. It was agreed that this item was outside the scope of NGNuk and should be referred to the OTA2 Executive.

Equivalence of Inputs from BT - It was agreed that this item was outside of the scope of NGNuk and should be referred to the OTA2 Executive. It was felt however, that progress should be reviewed in 3 months time.

Standard Interconnect Agreement - The Exec determined that this had been covered adequately via Consult 21.

Termination Charges - The Exec determined that this had been covered adequately during discussions with Ofcom on the proposed NGN consultation and NBMR. It was felt, however, that progress should be reviewed in 3 months time.

Quality of Service - The technical aspects of QoS are being developed within item T of the Orange release "Service Classifications and Management". It was agreed, however, that it is not yet appropriate to consider the commercial issues associated with these. It was also felt that progress should be reviewed in 3 months time.

Numbering and Addressing (Action 8 - 27/09/2007) - This action had been brought forward for some time. The Exec considered it should be closed.

There was insufficient time available to discuss the following items which will be carried forward to the next Executive meeting:

  • Policing of NGN signalling messages ( Session Initiation Protocol, SIP)<//font>
  • Fair Access to new services
  • Use of 3rd Party service elements in a call/session between operators

Action 1 - 25/09/08 - Peter Ryde to ensure that those items not discussed at the September meeting are included within the agenda for the November meeting and that those noted for future review are included within that for January

To top

AOB

Budget Update

Rod Smith gave a brief update on costs versus budget and the status of member rebates.

Charging work

Peter Ryde reported that Ellare/Oxera had presented a paper to ITS in Rome based on their work for NGNuk. A paper will be circulated to the Executive and the NGNuk commercial group.

To top

Next Meeting

The next scheduled meeting was 10.00 to 14.00 on 27th November at Riverside House.

Rod Smith requested input from the Executive on items they felt should be considered at the September executive

Action 2 - 25/09/2008 - Executive on inform the Secretariat on any items they wish to be considered at the November Executive meeting

Peter Ryde

NGNuk Office

07771 555 048

020 7783 4688

peter.ryde@ngnuk.org.uk

To top

Update on Actions

Action 6 - 27/09/2007 - The secretariat to request feedback from the Exec members on their thoughts regarding the key aims and attributes of the service principles. These to be collated by the secretariat and represented for discussion at the October Executive meeting. Held pending Exec discussion on 2008 priorities and focus. Scheduled for discussion on 25th September

Secretariat

Ongoing

Action 8 - 27/09/2007 - The secretariat to request feedback from the Exec members on their thoughts regarding the key aims and attributes of the principles that need to be considered for Numbering and Addressing. These to be collated by the secretariat and represented for discussion at the October Executive meeting. Request sent to Exec, 2 responses. Held pending Exec discussion on 2008 priorities and focus. Scheduled for discussion on 25th September but not discussed

Secretariat

Completed

Action 1 - 13/12/2007 - Secretariat to provide their views (for discussion) at the January Exec on how the aims for 2008 outlined by the Exec will be achieved. Awaiting Exec output regarding 2008 priorities

Secretariat

Closed

Action 2 - 13/12/2007 - Exec members should table those initial policy areas they wish NGNuk to consider during 2008 at the January Exec. Scheduled for discussion on 25th September  

Exec

Closed

Action 1 - 13/03/2008: Peter Ryde to liaise with Ofcom to schedule attendance, as appropriate, to provide feedback on the progress of the NGN consultation to the Exec. Gareth Davies has attended the April and June NGNuk Executives and scheduled to attend the September meeting

Peter Ryde

Ongoing

Action 4 - 13/03/2008 - NGNuk Secretariat to invite the appropriate Ofcom representative to attend the Exec to discuss the opportunity for the NGNuk Exec to provide pre-consultation input to the NBMR. Marina Gibbs advised that Chris Rowsell is leading this project. He will attend the September Executive

Secretariat

Completed

Action 5 - 13/03/2008 - Secretariat to meet with Participating  members to outline the changes in approach and budget for 2008/9 and to provide reassurance , on behalf of the Exec , of their value to the NGNuk Exec. All Participating members were briefed

Secretariat

Complete

Action 1 - 24/04/2008 - Secretariat to develop a "terms of reference" briefing for the work to develop scenarios covering various products and services operating across varied networks and distribute to the Exec for comment. Incorporated with item T of NICC Orange release

Peter Ryde

Closed

Action 2 - 24/04/2008 - Secretariat to schedule a "one -off" work shop for members nominated delegates to develop the scenarios as detailed in the brief. . Incorporated with item T of NICC Orange release

Peter Ryde

Closed

Action 1 - 26/06/2008 - NGNuk Secretariat to brief OTA2 Executive members on the background and timeframe for the Minimum Security Standards. OTA  Exec briefed at the July meeting

Secretariat

Completed

Action 2 - 26/06/2008 - The NGNuk Executive were asked to provide comment and views on the suggested plan of action to progress the commercial aspects of the minimum security standard. Agenda item at the September Executive

Executive

Completed

Action 3 - 26/04/2008 - Peter Ryde to provide Ofcom with details of which CP raised each discussion points considered by the Exec. This action was not completed

Peter Ryde

Closed

Action 4 - 26/06/2008 - Peter Ryde to publish the three charging documents on the NGNuk website but to ensure there is a clear explanation of what each document represents and the context of the work that was undertaken. Documents published in early July

Peter Ryde

Completed

Action 5 - 26/06/2008 - Exec members to give further consideration for their support of work items within the Orange release and to inform NICC TSG as appropriate

Executive

Closed

Action 6 - 26/04/2008 - Executive on inform (and brief) the Secretariat on any items they wish to be considered at the September Executive meeting

Executive

Closed

To top

New Actions

Action 1 - 25/09/08 - Ensure that those items not discussed at the September meeting are included within the agenda for the November meeting and that those noted for future review are included within that for January

Peter Ryde

Action 2 - 25/09/2008 - Executive on inform the Secretariat on any items they wish to be considered at the November Executive meeting<//font><//font>

Peter Ryde

 

 

 

To top