Our current work
For more information contact the secretary on nick.ireland@niccstandards.org.uk
Active Line Access
Active Line Access (ALA) defines an architecture and service template for Ethernet access services delivered over Next Generation Access networks. It enables Next Generation Access networks to provide connectivity between residential and business consumers and their Communications Providers in an open and flexible way. Ethernet ALA provides an access technology agnostic connectivity solution, being applicable to DSL, PON and also Active Ethernet (point to point) access networks.
Ethernet ALA Overview
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Next Generation Access (NGA) Telephony
NICC will develop standards to allow provision of PSTN-like voice services over NGA deployments. In particular, an interface will be standardised between Communication Provider callservers and ATAs on customer premises which could be embedded within access network NTE.
SIP-NNI
Drawing upon the relevant IETF material, NICC will standardise a SIP-based NNI (Network Network Interface) to support basic voice, incorporating UK regulatory requirements such as number portability and access to emergency services.
Corporate Networks – Interconnection
NICC will define an interface for the connection of an IP PBX, or similar Customer Premises equipment (CPE) on a corporate customer network, to a Next Generation Network (NGN). The interface specifications are to include the signalling, media connection and data connection aspects of the interface, recognising that the customer network may not be within the NGN operators trust domain. Methods for handling calls from corporate networks to emergency services, including call priority and the provision of location information, are to be specified.
Service Classifications and Management
NICC will define how Service Classifications and Management will be supported through the use of packet marking to enable queuing and management to meet appropriate levels of QoS. This is related to the suggestion in the NGNuk paper suggesting that 4 classes of service could be used. There is also a requirement for a class for control traffic which will generally have more stringent requirements than the payload it controls.
CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) Compatibility Guidance
NICC will provide guidance on CPE interoperability with compatibility issues for telecare and security CPE operating over Next Generation Network (NGN) public networks. Two new studies will be conducted:
• To agree, formally document and publish guidance for CPE manufacturers and users i) the use of existing voice band data CPE on UK PSTN networks (current generation and NGNs), and ii) the design of new voice band data CPE to help minimise the likelihood of failure on such networks.
• To agree, formally document and publish best practice guidance, for the use of network designers and operators, to help minimise the likelihood of failure of voice band data CPE.
Dynamic Overload Control
NICC will define a general overload control scheme that can be referenced by NICC interconnect definitions with control interfaces i.e. SIP. The requirements definition for GOCAP will be considered as a basis for this work item.
