Attendees:
Peter Black (NGNuk) - Chair
Clive Fedida (NGNuk)
Peter Ryde (NGNuk)
Huw Saunders (Kingston Communications)
Phil Kirby (Vodafone)
Steve Unger (Ofcom)
Phil Male (Thus)
Angus Flett (BT Wholesale)
Stuart Shutt (Orange)
Nigel Shaw (C&W)
Alireza Mahmoodshahi (COLT)
Andy King (ntl Telewest)
Apologies:
Andy May (Cable & Wireless), Justin Fielder (Easynet), Philip Snalune (ntl Telewest)
Minutes & Actions of Previous Meeting
EU ECNS Regulatory Framework Review (Ofcom - Tom Kiedrowski)
Network Structures Group (Paul Rosbotham)
Network Hooks Group (Antony Millington, Tim Short)
NGNuk - The Way Forward
AOB
UK plc 'Resilience'
1.1 See outstanding actions update at the end of this document.
2.1 Background - As a legal requirement, the EU Regulatory Framework for electronic communications networks and services (ECNS) is currently under review as is the Recommendation on Relevant Products and Service Markets within the electronic communication sector. Changes to the regulatory framework require new EU legislation, and any new legislative provisions would be expected to come into force around 2009/2010 and remain in force until around 2015. The revision of the Recommendation on Relevant Markets is a parallel consultation, but the revised Recommendation would come into effect in early 2007, and probably remain in effect for 2-3 years.
2.2 Scope - Both reviews cover the full scope of electronic communications networks and services and their associated markets. From the perspective of NGNuk, the impact of the reviews on NGNs arises from some of the general recommendations as well as some NGN-specific recommendations. In summary, the areas most relevant to NGNuk were felt to be:
2.3 NGNuk Response to Consultation - comments on the public consultation on the future of the electronic communications regulatory framework and the draft recommendation on Relevant Products and Service Markets within the electronic communication sector are required by 27th October 2006. The NGNuk Executive agreed that NGNuk should submit a consolidated position and Peter Black asked members to review the relevant papers (attached below) and provide comments to the NGNuk Office. The consolidated NGNuk response will be reviewed as an agenda item at the September meeting (28th September 2006).
Action 1 - 27/7 - Peter Black asked members to review the relevant papers on the public consultation on the future of the electronic communications regulatory framework and the draft recommendation on Relevant Products and Service Markets within the electronic communication sector and provide comments to the NGNuk Office by 8th September 2006. The consolidated NGNuk response will be reviewed as an agenda item at the September meeting (28th September 2006).
Commission Communication (pdf)
Commission Staff Working Document (pdf)
Draft Recommendation on Relevant Markets (pdf)
Regulatory Impact Assessment (pdf)
DTI - Ofcom joint response to initial consultation on EU Regulatory Framework (pdf)
DTI - Ofcom joint response to initial consultation on Relevant Markets (pdf)
Network Structures WG Presentation (pdf)
3.1 Paul Rosbotham (Chair, NICC TSG and Co-Chair, Consult 21 NSWG) outlined the current relationship between NSWG and NICC and a proposal for the relationship between NGNuk and NICC. In summary, NSWG has been driving the work in NICC to prepare the standards for simple PSTN interconnect. NICC has recently issued the detailed interconnect standards (referred to as 'Purple Release') and NSWG is now examining the associated guidelines and contractual information. The NGNuk Executive asked whether the NSWG documentation is formally available for use by NGNuk. It was proposed that Clive Fedida (on behalf of NGNuk) seek agreement from BT for formal access to NSWG documentation by NGNuk.
Action 2 - 27/7 - It was proposed that Clive Fedida (on behalf of NGNuk) seek agreement from BT for formal access to NSWG documentation by NGNuk.
3.2 Looking beyond the Purple Release, Paul Rosbotham proposed that it would be appropriate for NGNuk to take on the role from Consult 21 of providing commercial guidance to NICC/TSG on the scope and prioritisation of the technical standards work for future releases of NGN Interconnect and in particular for the next release (referred to as the 'Green Release'). This was agreed by the NGNuk Executive.
3.3 Paul Rosbotham explained that a draft requirements list for the Green Release has already been drawn up by NICC based on requirements input from CPs although it was not within the scope of NICC to agree the list as complete or to set out a prioritisation. He has however provided interim guidance to NICC/TSG to commence work on all the draft requirements pending guidance from NGNuk. Peter Black proposed and it was agreed that Peter Ryde will take the lead on the Green Release requirements for NGNuk. It was also agreed that all Members should review the draft requirements for the Green Release (attached below) and feedback comments on completeness and prioritisation to Peter Ryde by 25th August 2006. NGNuk will propose a timetable and process by which Industry agreement can be reached on the Green Release requirements and prioritisation.
Action 3 - 27/7 - It was agreed that all Members should review the draft requirements for the Green Release and feedback comments on completeness and prioritisation to Peter Ryde by 25th August 2006. NGNuk will propose a timetable and process by which Industry agreement can be reached on the Green Release requirements and prioritisation.
3.4 NGNuk will review with NICC timescales and resource requirements and any other dependencies for the production of the relevant technical work. Paul Rosbotham undertook to provide a preliminary view of this. Once this is understood, NGNuk will be able to set out the scope and timetable for the Green Release. Paul Rosbotham reminded the meeting that supplier leadtimes following a new release should be expected to be in the order of at least 12 to 18 months.
Green Release Requirements (pdf)
Action 4 - 27/7 - Paul Rosbotham undertook to provide a preliminary view of NICC timescales and resource requirements and any other dependencies for the production of the relevant technical work associated with the draft Green Release requirements.
3.5 Routing and Number Portability - NICC is examining the technical aspects of Carrier ENUM as a potential solution for routing and E164 number portability. However, this needs to be commercially driven by NGNuk. Furthermore, the position of Ofcom and the role of its forthcoming consultation in November 2006 on General Conditions of Entitlement have an important bearing on the matter. It was agreed that Ofcom should present its views on number and address portability for NGNs as an agenda item at the next meeting.
Action 5 - 27/7 - It was agreed that Ofcom should present its views on data portability for NGNs as an agenda item at the next meeting.
Network Hooks and Common Capabilities Presentation (pdf)
4.1 Antony Millington provided a brief background of the Network Hooks and Common Capabilities (NHCC) group within Consult 21. Briefly, the group was initially established to identify what common NGN capabilities CPs wanted to develop and interconnect. Progress within the group proved difficult for a variety of reasons:
4.2 As a result of the lack of progress, the group has disbanded and it is proposed that the work is continued in two streams:
NGNuk Way Forward Presentation
5.1 NGNuk Vision - Peter Black presented draft wording for the NGNuk vision statement (see attached slides). Essentially the meeting felt it was a good representation of the group's aspirations even if the target date of January 2008 seemed ambitious. Nevertheless, the meeting agreed to its adoption. He went on to table a set of NGNuk Goals (see attached slides) which are still at an early draft stage. The NGNuk Executive members were asked to consider and feedback comments on the draft NGNuk Goals in the light of the proposed NGNuk Work Programme (see below)
Action 6 - 27/7 - The NGNuk Executive members were asked to consider and feedback comments on the draft NGNuk Goals in the light of the proposed Work Programme
5.2 NGNuk Framework - Clive Fedida reported that the Reference Model workshop held on 29th June 2006 whilst useful did not result in a clear conclusion. Further work was subsequently undertaken building on the ideas from the workshop and a proposed Framework to support the NGNuk work programme has been developed for consideration by the NGNuk Executive. In outline, the new framework comprises:
5.3 Reference Services - For the purposes of simplifying the development of the requirements for each layer that are as generic, future-proof and complete as possible, it is proposed to use the idea of 'Reference' Services. Each Reference Service comprises a group of end-to-end applications that have feature types in common with respect to the underlying network over which they are carried. Stuart Shutt drew attention to the use of a similar concept in the work of 3GPP and suggested NGNuk consider aligning definitions and nomenclature where appropriate. This was agreed.
Action 7 - 27/7 - Clive Fedida to investigate aligning NGNuk definitions and nomenclature for Reference Services with 3GPP where appropriate.
5.4 NGNuk Work Programme - It is proposed that the NGNuk Work Programme be driven from the Framework by setting up two workgroups initially - one for Transport Architecture and other for Network Capabilities. The commercial and technical streams within each workgroup will be initially combined but will be broken out as the individual scope becomes clear. The outline milestones for each workgroup are foreseen to be:
5.5 Workgroup Launch - It is proposed to launch the NGNuk Workgroups at the end of August 2006 when the scope and terms of reference will be published. Invitations for Member participation in the workgroups will be issued at the beginning of September along with the dates for the inaugural meetings which it is hoped can be before the end of September. In the meantime during August, NGNuk will attempt to progress the work by drafting a requirements document for each workgroup drawing on the assistance of expert nominees from the Executive. Executive Members were asked to identify commercial and technical individuals who could contribute to this exercise during August.
Action 8 - 27/7 - Executive Members were asked to identify commercial and technical individuals who could contribute to the advance requirements work for the Transport Architecture and Network Capabilities workgroups during August.
6.1 UK plc 'Resilience' - NGNuk agreed to consider whether it was a suitable industry vehicle for the promotion of voluntary codes of practice for network resilience.
7.1 The next meeting will be 10.00 to 14.00 on 31st August 2006 at Riverside House.
7.2 Future scheduled meetings:
| Date | Meeting | Time |
| 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
| 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. 27/7 - Action discharged. See agenda item minutes above. CLOSED | Huw Saunders |
| 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. 27/7 - Action discharged. See agenda item minutes above. CLOSED | 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. 27/7 - Clive Fedida reported that the Reference Model workshop whilst useful had not resulted in a clear conclusion. Further work was undertaken by the NGNuk Office and proposals for the way forward were presented under the agenda item. CLOSED | NGNuk Secretariat 3/7/2006 |
| 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 2006.27/7 - It has since been clarified that the closing date for observations is 15th August (not 7th July as recorded above). NGNuk will base its response on those to be submitted by BT and Thus. NGNuk is not aware of any other responses planned or submitted. Ongoing | 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. 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. Ongoing | NGNuk Secretariat 27/7/2006 |
| Action 1 - 27/7 - Peter Black asked members to review the relevant papers on the public consultation on the future of the electronic communications regulatory framework and the draft recommendation on Relevant Products and Service Markets within the electronic communication sector and provide comments to the NGNuk Office by 8th September 2006. The consolidated NGNuk response will be reviewed as an agenda item at the September meeting (28th September 2006). | NGNuk Executive Members |
| Action 2 - 27/7 - It was proposed that Clive Fedida (on behalf of NGNuk) seek agreement from BT for formal access to NSWG documentation by NGNuk. | Clive Fedida |
| Action 3 - 27/7 - It was agreed that all Members should review the draft requirements for the Green Release and feedback comments on completeness and prioritisation to Peter Ryde by 25th August 2006. NGNuk will propose a timetable and process by which Industry agreement can be reached on the Green Release requirements and prioritisation. | NGNuk Executive Members |
| Action 4 - 27/7 - Paul Rosbotham undertook to provide a preliminary view of NICC timescales and resource requirements and any other dependencies for the production of the relevant technical work associated with the draft Green Release requirements. | Paul Rosbotham |
| Action 5 - 27/7 - It was agreed that Ofcom should present its views on data portability for NGNs as an agenda item at the next meeting. | Steve Unger |
| Action 6 - 27/7 - The NGNuk Executive members were asked to consider and feedback comments on the draft NGNuk Goals in the light of the proposed Work Programme | NGNuk Executive Members |
| Action 7 - 27/7 - Clive Fedida to investigate aligning NGNuk definitions and nomenclature for Reference Services with 3GPP where appropriate. | Clive Fedida |
| Action 8 - 27/7 - Executive Members were asked to identify commercial and technical individuals who could contribute to the advance requirements work for the Transport Architecture and Network Capabilities workgroups during August. | NGNuk Executive Members |