Next-Generation Networks (NGN)

With the Internet now deeply rooted across modern life and broadband penetration continuing its steady ascent, the information and communications technology (ICT) industry continues its transformation and evolution to converged next-generation networks (NGN).  The term “convergence” is being used to refer to the advanced integration of communications and computing functionalities, in particular the ability to offer voice, data, video, and other increasingly intermingled multimedia services seamlessly over single or multiple infrastructures and platforms -- as well as the capability to access such services at any time, at any place, and with an ever-expanding array of network agnostic and “aware” devices.  This also implies that competing infrastructure platforms will be able to provide essentially similar multimedia experiences.  These converging NGNs, and the overall global NGN, are being driven by digitization, packetization, high-speed transfer, Internet Protocol (IP)-related technology solutions¹, network “aware” elements and other enhancements so any interconnected network will be capable of providing user services accessible by any device, across any accessible platform and with the needed degree of mobility or nomadicy.

Like the telecommunications industry itself and the markets it covers, TIA is faced with the dilemma of categorizing evolving technology convergence at the network level (wired/wireless), the application level (personal communications/business), and the communications device level. By definition, such convergences will impact traditional market and deployment perspectives.   Just as with technology providers and enterprise customers, the telecommunications industry is migrating from separate data and voice communications to converged, IP-based network environments (i.e., NGNs). In fact, we think that the very term "telecommunications" needs to be redefined to more clearly include all elements of non-voice "communications application" technologies and services. Many specific TIA technical activities play a direct role within the converging NGN.

Introduction and Scope of TIA Technical Committee Next-Generation Networks Focus Group

The TIA Technical Committee established the Next-Generation Networks Focus Group (TIA TC NGNFG) in March 2005 to, monitor, evaluate and coordinate across TIA formulating groups and make appropriate recommendations or liaisons on the national and global technical implications and capability solutions for converging NGN communications networks, devices and services.  As such, the TIA TC NGNFG serves as a TIA resource and focal point for internal ² and external technical NGN coordination and cooperation efforts.  Each of TIA’s formulating groups or engineering committees is represented on the TIA TC NGNFG, and TIA TC NGNFG coordination efforts are meant to enhance, not supplant, existing communications or liaison channels established with external organizations.

The TIA TC NGNFG identifies, coordinates and addresses TIA-related technical NGN activities, published documents and issues affecting the specific and overall converged NGN framework, including those that support TIA-developed technical solutions, TIA’s Convergence Policy Agenda principles, and ongoing North American and global NGN techno-policy related activities and industry advisory groups. TIA believes the term NGN to also be closely linked to the terms convergence and fixed mobile convergence (FMC).

Any liaisons from standards organizations to the TIA TC NGNFG can utilize the contact information above.