The slowing of NGN implementation amongst many members combined with changes to BT 21CN voice plans have had an impact on NGNuk activity throughout the year. Whilst recognising this reduced level of activity, members opted at the start of the financial year to maintain NGNuk as an active body as is provides a suitable forum to address cross industry NGN issues as and when they arise.
The key areas of activity over recent months have been the continued support of the implementation of the NICC Minimum Security Standard and activity in relation to terminal compatibility on NGNs.
I am pleased to report that work supported by a significant number of NGN members has facilitated the updating of the Minimum Security Standard and associated guidance such that it is more suitable for implementation by smaller communications providers and also better reflects the working practices of these smaller organisations. A certification scheme is also under development via the UK Accreditation Service. Whilst the initial progress made was less than hoped, both have now gained significant traction over recent months. The area where least progress has been achieved is how adoption of the standard might be enforced. Discussions on how best to approach this are ongoing between Industry, Ofcom and Government.
Earlier in the year Ofcom requested that NGNuk facilitate a review of the concerns raised during their NGN consultation by users of alarms within the security and telecare industries. These concerns related to the potential negative impact of NGNs on the performance of terminal equipment used by both these industries. NGNuk has been able to open a constructive dialogue with the industry associations. We have been able to demonstrate that NGNs appear to be proving less problematic than the established TDM networks and the intention is to maintain links with these critical stakeholders to ensure that any issues are identified quickly and a satisfactory resolution implemented.