Attendees:
Peter Black (NGNuk) - Chair
Clive Fedida (NGNuk)
Huw Saunders (Kingston Communications)
Phil Kirby (Vodafone)
Steve Unger (Ofcom)
Andy May (Cable & Wireless)
Phil Male (Thus)
Angus Flett (BT Wholesale)
Justin Fielder (Easynet)
Apologies:
Douglas Lamont (Orange),
Tony Siebert (Cable & Wireless),
Andy King (ntl)
Minutes & Actions of Previous Meeting
Appointment of Commercial Director
Follow up from the NGNuk Launch Seminar
Reference Model Workshop Preparation
Signing of membership agreement
Enterprise Stakeholder workshop on 11 July
AOB
ITSPA issues
Network Structures Group
NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Networks)
NGNuk Trademark
1.1 See outstanding actions update at the end of this document.
2.1 Peter Black reported that the candidates for the Commercial Director role were interviewed and a shortlist of two recommended individuals produced. Unfortunately one has dropped out. The remaining recommended candidate is known to several of the Executive Members who have also endorsed the recommendation. It was agreed that Peter Black should proceed with an appropriate offer for the post.
3.1 Attendance at the seminar was encouraging although it was noted that it was by no means complete industry coverage. Several attendees expressed an interest in joining as members. The full set of slides and a membership application form have been sent to all attendees. It remains to be seen whether the seminar has increased awareness sufficiently for NGNuk to achieve critical mass. The next opportunity to encourage Industry interest will be the invitation to participate in NGNuk workgroups.
4.1 Objectives - Clive Fedida asked the attendees to confirm the objectives of the forthcoming workshop on the Reference Model (29th June). The following statement was agreed:
To produce a structured framework which can be used to identify and scope the initial set of commercial and technical workgroups for NGNuk
4.2 Scope - There was a discussion about the scope of the Reference Model and the definition of the core set of services to be supported by NGN Interconnect. These were seen to be a minimum common set of services that would provide the essential capabilities required by applications of the underlying transport that must be supported over an interconnect. It would be the task of the workshop to identify the core service set. Furthermore, it was to be hoped that a number of essential principles would emerge that if agreed at this stage might simplify later work. It was accepted that the Reference Model may require more than one session to complete.
4.3 Review of workshop output - As it was not possible to review the Reference Model workshop output at the meeting as originally planned, it was felt important to do so as soon as possible after the workshop rather than await the next Executive meeting. It was agreed to prepare a brief to the Executive Members after the workshop and if necessary arrange a conference call to review the recommendations.
Action 1 - 26/6 - It was agreed to prepare a brief to the Executive Members after the Reference Model workshop on 29th June and if necessary arrange a conference call to review the recommendations.
5.1 The current version of the Constitution (NGNuk - Constitution - Final - 23/6/2006) was approved by the NGNuk Executive and is now published on the NGNuk website.
5.2 The Executive Members present were asked to sign the membership agreement.
6.1 Steve Unger briefed the meeting that large enterprises and their Industry bodies have been expressing concerns over the introduction of NGNs. Many of these concerns relate to business and service continuity issues. Ofcom feels it is important that there is appropriate engagement with these important stakeholders and has therefore arranged an Enterprise Stakeholder workshop for this purpose on 11 July. Steve Unger hoped that members of the Executive would be able to attend.
The Executive Members confirmed their support for the initiative and asked to be involved in preparation of the content for the workshop.
7.1 ITSPA Issues - ITSPA (Internet Telephony Services Providers' Association) has written to Peter Black expressing reservations about NGNuk, in ITSPA's view, unilaterally agreeing the direction of NGNs without prior consultation and involvement of the wider stakeholder community. ITSPA contends that the proper involvement of industry stakeholders, such as through trade associations, is crucial. ITSPA remains unconvinced that Associate Membership provides an appropriate and effective level of involvement and proposes that the following additional entitlements be accorded to Associate Members:
There was discussion of a possible option to offer associate members access to workgroup working documents and minutes albeit for a fee. However, the prevailing view was that the constitution already provided a mechanism for Industry Groups to be involved in NGNuk and this should be given an opportunity to work. In addition, the membership fee was not felt to be a sufficient barrier to prevent any business with serious intent and interest in NGN interconnection from being involved in NGNuk. Peter Black said he would respond accordingly to ITSPA. Also it was reinforced that the NGNuk Secretariat would be proactively interacting with relevant trade associations such as ITSPA on a regular basis to ensure that the widest possible range of views was being represented
7.2 Network Structures Group - Clive Fedida briefed the meeting on the work of the Network Structures Group within Consult 21 (see meeting slides). It was apparent that the group has expectations of the role of NGNuk in helping them progress with their programme. Because of the potential need of NGNuk to work closely with this Consult 21 group, it was agreed to invite the co-chair Paul Rosbotham to the next meeting to brief the Executive on how best the respective teams should interact.
On the specific issues raised by the Network Structures Group on Carrier ENUM, Steve Unger briefed the meeting on Ofcom's expectations that number portability under NGNs be significantly improved over the current arrangements. It was agreed that ENUM should therefore be in scope for the Reference Model workshop.
7.3 NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Networks) - Phil Kirby drew the meeting's attention to an initiative from several major players from the mobile industry which aims to gather support for a common vision for the next generation of mobile networks. The blueprint is summed up in a key white paper entitled "Next Generation Mobile Networks Beyond HSPA & EVDO version 2.0". The paper is available by sending and email to ngmn@brs-imp.com although Phil Kirby will endeavour to obtain agreement to circulate to the Executive directly.
7.4 NGNuk Trademark - Phil Male drew the attention of the Executive to the recent approval of the 'NGN' trademark applied for by Wireless Facilities Inc. He believes this to be an erroneous decision because of the extant everyday usage of 'NGN' in the UK. Thus plans to raise a formal objection and asked the Executive whether they would support NGNuk (as a body) raising an objection. There was agreement to do so and Peter Black undertook to take the necessary steps. It was noted that formal objections must be lodged by 7th July 2006.
Action 2 - 26/6 - Peter Black undertook on behalf of NGNuk to take the necessary steps to raise a formal objection to the registration of the 'NGN' trademark applied for by Wireless Facilities Inc. It was noted that formal objections must be lodged by 7th July 2006.
It was also agreed separately that application should be made to trademark the 'NGNuk' logo.
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.
8.1 The next meeting will be 10.00 to 14.00 on 27th July 2006 at Riverside House.
8.2 Future scheduled meetings:
| Date | Meeting | Time |
| 27/7/2006 | NGNuk Meeting | 10.00 - 14.00 |
| 31/8/2006 | NGNuk Meeting | 10.00 - 14.00 |
| 28/9/2006 | NGNuk Meeting | 10.00 - 14.00 |
| 26/10/2006 | NGNuk Meeting | 10.00 - 14.00 |
| 30/11/2006 | NGNuk Meeting | 10.00 - 14.00 |
| 14/12/2006 | NGNuk Meeting | 10.00 - 14.00 |
Clive Fedida
NGNuk Office
07802 782357
020 7783 4684
clive.fedida@ngnuk.org.uk
| Action 6 - 30/3 - Huw Saunders to set up a presentation from the co-chairs of the Consult21 Network Hooks Group to explain why the workgroup appears to be having difficulty making progress. 27/4 - Huw Saunders hopes to confirm this next week. 31/5 - The Industry co-chair Antony Millington (C&W) has been in contact with NGNuk and will cover the action item as an agenda item at the next meeting. The BT co-chair Andrew Fielden will also attend. Tony Siebert and Tarquin Bellinger agreed to brief their respective co-chairs on the purpose of the presentation namely to bring out the issues and their underlying reasons that the group were having difficulty with and what would help in overcoming them. 26/6 - Anthony Millington was unable to attend the 26th June meeting and the item has been rearranged for the next meeting. Ongoing | Huw Saunders |
| Action 1 - 31/5 - All Executive Members were asked to review the final draft Top Level Principles list and feedback any final comments by Friday 2nd June 2006. 26/6 - All Executive Members have confirmed their agreement to the final draft Top Level Principles list. Peter Black said he had removed the reference to 'arbitrage' in response to external feedback he had received. He felt the intention was covered in the remaining principles. CLOSED | All Executive Members |
| Action 2 - 31/5 - All Executive Members to nominate suitable individuals from their organisations to come together for a workshop to prepare a first draft reference model for a base set of services by the next NGNuk Executive meeting. 26/6 - Most Executive Members have nominated suitable individuals. It had not been possible to arrange the workshop prior to this meeting and is now scheduled for 29th June. CLOSED | All Executive Members |
| Action 3 - 31/5 - Steve Unger agreed to circulate the UK response to the call for input on the forthcoming review of the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications and Services and to arrange a short overview of this activity as an agenda item for the next meeting. 26/6 - UK Response was circulated to Executive Members. In view of the forthcoming consultation document due later this week from the EU on this subject, it was agreed that the briefing from Ofcom should be scheduled for the next meeting. Ongoing | Steve Unger |
| Action 1 - 26/6 - It was agreed to prepare a brief to the Executive Members after the Reference Model workshop on 29th June and if necessary arrange a conference call to review the recommendations | NGNuk Secretariat |
| Action 2 - 26/6 - Peter Black undertook on behalf of NGNuk to take the necessary steps to raise a formal objection to the registration of the 'NGN' trademark applied for by Wireless Facilities Inc. It was noted that formal objections must be lodged by 7th July 2006. | NGNuk Secretariat |
| 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 | NGNuk Secretariat |