The IT Law Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Definitions[]

The next-generation network (NGN) is

a public, broadband, diverse, and scalable packet-based network evolving from the PSN, AIN, and the Internet. The NGN is characterized by a core fabric enabling network connectivity and transport with periphery-based service intelligence.[1]
[a] packet-based network able to provide telecommunication services and make use of multiple broadband . . . transport technologies in which service-related functions are independent from underlying transport-related technologies.[2]

Overview[]

The telecommunications sector is undergoing a transition from traditional voice and voice-band (fax and modem) data communication over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to the next-generation network reflecting the convergence of traditional telecommunications with IP-based communications.

Broadly speaking the phrase NGN refers to the move from circuit-switched to packet based networks that many operators worldwide will undertake in the next few years. It will mean reduced costs for service providers who will in turn be able to offer a richer variety of services.

NGN will support fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) and telecom-broadcasting convergence such as IPTV. NGN will also provide capabilities to support convergence between ICT and other industries such as the vehicle manufacturing industry in support of the networked vehicle. Work going beyond NGN and looking at future networks . . . will support standards development for the "Internet of Things" as well as for reducing energy consumption and green house gases of/by ICT. Many believe that the development of these technologies are impossible without the development of global standards.[3]

"The NGN will logically consist of applications that deliver services, the services provided to users, and the underlying transport networks. . . . The NGN itself is a capability that will enable many services and applications. Some services will be provided by the network and some will be external to it, but depend on it. NGN user-centric services will be delivered over various networks, some of which, like private customer premises networks and mesh networks, lie outside the wide scope of the PN."[4]

References[]

Advertisement