Download NGN- Implementation Issues in India

“NGN- Implementation Issues in
India”
By
Satish. D. Alandkar
BE. MBS. (MARKETING). MBS (HRM).
(Sub-Divisional Engineer)
BSNL PUNE
Maharashtra - INDIA
1. Next Generation Network
Transformation from circuit-based public switched telecommunication
networks to packet-based networks using the Internet Protocol, so-called next
generation networks (NGN).
It enables access for users to networks and to competing service providers
and/or services of their choice.
NGN Features:
Conversed services, one network all services.
High flexibility at all functional levels.
NGN have horizontally integrated control layers with
Simultaneous delivery of applications.
Reduction in Capital costs and operational costs.
Reduced time to roll out new services.
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NGN Convergence will be:
1. Network convergence: Fixed-mobile convergence
2. Service convergence: One network multiple services
3. Industry/market convergence: Brings together the same
field industries.
4. Converged user experience: Unique interface between endusers and services.
The service, transport and control layers technically and commercially
separated and provided by different market players.
Interconnection is possible at all functional levels in a reasonable
manner in order to ensure overall service interoperability.
› Services convergence issues
› Migration issues
› Service interoperability.
› Service Bundling, Pricing, Charging and issues.
› Service Quality and Security issues.
› Technical issues.
› Network Management issues.
› Infrastructure related issues.
› Issues related with Investment in NGN.
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NGN convergence leads to strengthening of market power.
NGN convergence reduces competition.
Converged services make it difficult to assess market power.
Bundling of services.
Traffic management in NGN.
Management of services and Interconnection.
Numbering, addressing and number portability.
Interconnections of different Network topologies.
Smooth migration to NGN .
Cost management, higher costs involved in migration process.
Changed role of service providers and their responsibilities.
Billing and accounting in NGN.
Quality of Service.
Network Security.
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Issue ** In NGN network more reliable and guaranteed service level
for better approach of transmitting data packets is required for
multi-media and real time NGN services.
Regulatory Authority should plan for:
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Better technological convergence.
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Interconnection with standard interfaces.
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Review interconnection issues.
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Set certain QoS standards.
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Ensure the continuity of regulated interconnection services.
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Plan for development of conflict resolution mechanisms.
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Avoid changes of interconnection services, the Points of Interconnection.
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Issue ** Due to Convergence only the big
players (Vodafone, AirTel, BSNL, RIL, Tata
Indicom) can provide combined services will
have their monopoly and no competition in
NGN.
Regulator has to see that market power will not disappear
in an NGN. Competition among all operators (small or big
like Uninor, YOU Telecom, Sify, Hathway or any or new
entrants) must be maintained it could be possible with:
› Allowing number of operators to invest in NGN at
all levels.
› Charging minimum entry fees.
› Incentives to attract new entrants.
› USO funding
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Issue ** Number of operators will be involved in network providing different
services as PSTN, WLL, GSM, Broadband, Data Services:
1. Vodafone and AirTel (Mobile-GSM, Broadband-2G/3G)
2. Rel-Com ( Mobile-GSM/CDMA, Broadband-1G/2G/3G, Data),
3. BSNL ( PSTN-Wired, Mobile-GSM/CDMA, Broadband- Wired and
Wireless 2G/3G, Data Services),
4. Tata IndiCom ( PSTN-wired & Wireless CDMA, Mobile-GSM,
Broadband-Wireless).
5. Sify, You Telecom, Hathway (Broadband-Wireless).
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Regulatory Authority has to maintain the co-ordination among service
providers, Various services, Investors and Government in order to maintain
Quality of services and smooth functioning at all functional levels.
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Issue ** Unique network for all services, separate functional layers.
Service operators involved in the network at all levels with combined services.
There may be sharing of infrastructures among several operators so that
charging is critical issue.
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Existing charging principles/ costing model on interconnection is on the
basis of network resources involved in passing the traffic /delivery of
service to end users.
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All types of traffic in IP packets are delivered in different paths in NGN
there may be a need to review the existing costing methodology and
charging.
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Planning for Call charging, routing of calls, Point of Intersection, at
different levels is required.
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Access emergency services, free of charge, from any telephone as a
welfare issue. This facility should be planned in the NGN network.
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Issue ** Migration to NGN involves very high costs:
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Convergence of services (Voice, Data, and Internet), Technological
convergence (Wired-PSTN, Wireless-GSM, CDMA, TDMA, Wi-Fi,
Wi-MaX )
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Higher costs are involved in migration process than operation –will
be managed through Incentives.
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Cost reduction with selection of suitable fiber network topology
(requirements and points of interconnection may differ which help
in reducing infrastructure costs).
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There should be balance of competition and investment by entry at
all levels.
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Issue ** There is need of allotment of additional spectrum to
provide quality services in NGN to match national /international
standard.
› In India most of the service providers providing services on
wireless (Voice, Mobile, Broadband and Data Services, Wi-Fi, WiMax, HDTV, mobile TV or 3G services).
› At present additional spectrum allotment is a must to provide
quality services which is critical issue raised in India.
› Proper criteria should be adopted for allotment, based on service
provider’s subscriber base, investment proportions, fixed assets
and revenues.
› Whether allotment of spectrum to new operator will be there?
› There is a need for reframing of spectrum resources and more
flexible spectrum allocation.
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Issue ** NGN is having open Structure,
separated functional layers one can join at any
level and share the infrastructure.
 There should be open tender for spectrum so that
every small player will have equal chance to share
the network.
 Interconnection models will be needed to address
new architectures based on new parameters other
than traditional ones.
 Who gets paid for what when an operator shares
its network with third party service providers.
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Issue ** For better implementation of NGN, high quality
infrastructure evenly distributed geographically is a must.
 Indian operators providing services (Voice, Data, Mobile, and Internet) but
quality of the service is not up to the mark due to poor infrastructure. It is due
following difficulties:
1. Limited number of own towers.
2.Tower height restrictions at certain areas.
3. Huge cost involved in tower installations.
4. Delay in permissions from the local authorities.
 Unbundling discourage new infrastructural investment. In present
situation better infrastructure is possible by unbundling (sharing)
towers, OF cables, ducts. Which is mostly avoided by big players
In India .
 Other than wireless media the only media which can support the
quality services in NGN network is Optical fiber cable which is
limited up to in-between Telephone Exchanges and equipments only.
› We should plan for optical fiber infrastructure network (FTTH / FTTB) at
National, Metro, District and Talula levels to support NGN.
It will be difficult due to:
1. Local authorities not permitting to lay new cables.
2. Heavy reinstatement charges.
3. Heavy cost are involved.
4. Political pressures from local corporator’s.
› Regulatory Authority along with Service Providers, Government bodies,
Investors should plan for growth in OF network which is possible with:
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1. Sharing of existing ducts, pipes along roads.
2. The reinstatement charges should be minimum.
3. FTTH/FTTB investment should be promoted with
incentives.
4. Plan for USO funding.
› Wireless based Wi-fi, Wi-Max and GSM technologies should be planned
with incentive schemes where the optical network is not possible/available
to cover scattered areas.
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Issue ** NGN have different functional layers, levels, service
operators and converged Services (one network will give all
services PSTN, Mobile, Broadband, Data services (Voice,
Internet, Data) . QoS is very important.
› The standards of Quality of Services should be fixed which
will include different parameters to ensure end-to-end
quality of service within networks or perceived by the
customer. Minimum Quality parameters should be defined.
› Proper Quality management control systems should be there
to analyze quality requirements and appropriate measuring
procedure to ensure Qos.
1. Need to define Quality of services parameters in NGN
.2. Monitoring QoS at all levels of networks
3. Ensuring End to End QoS across the networks
4. Reliability of services.
5. Applications need more bandwidth.
6. Needs additional spectrum allotment.
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Issue ** The greater capacity is available at the edges of
the network in NGN, how to guarantee security?
Management of security issues in NGN environment a
critical one:
The Risk and threats in NGN may be due to:
1. External or internal attack on the NGN network. (end point
equipments, multilayered architecture, cyber visitors. )
2. Loss of information.
3. Transmission of viruses and malware.
4. Un trusted equipments used in the network.
5. Duplication of data.
6. Unauthorized Access to system information.
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Regulatory Authority should plan for:
1. Needs appropriate levels of assurance from operators.
2. Manage security independently at respective levels of architecture.
3. Due care will be taken while making regulations for cybercrime.
4. Identity Management should be maintained throughout the network
5. Protect from various, internal and external attacks.
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Regulatory Authority should plan for:
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Risks to be minimized in NGN.
Reduce uncertainty about NGN business allowing shearing
of infrastructure.
Plan for incentives to invest and to maintain competition.
Guarantee the competition of the networks and services.
Also plan for:
1. Pricing and Billing-Flat pricing or based on investment.
2. Number Portability-Not complex but smooth switching.
3. USO funding ( for PSTN Only, now for Broadband too )
4. Protect Consumer Interests and welfare.
5. Numbering- (Normal Way-County code + Local No.)
6. Addressing- Domain Name System (DNS) may be used
. to translate domain name to IP address for packet
. transmission widely used in IP world.
7. Tariff Management-Plan so that no congestion.
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Unique Market structure.
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Entry at all layers, levels.
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Enhanced Efficiency of Service Providers.
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Uncertainty among competitors
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Automatic network monitoring and fault management.
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Bundling offerings more popular in the present market.
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Loss to Mobile operator’s : loose cash stream from fixed operators
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Network maintenance savings.
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Each network operator will potentially choose a different migration path
depending on their actual assets and technologies.
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Improved Quality of services.
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Advance Technology.
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Reduction of activation time.
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Full cost transparency.
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Flexible and simple pricing.
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New price strategies bundling offerings benefits.
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Improve overall customer experience.
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Infrastructure development.
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Improved National Standards.
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Increased reliability & quality of Service.
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Increased competition.
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Revenue growth, Market share growth in communication.
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Reduced Capital and Operational Expenditure.
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NGN still in preliminary stage in India.
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NGN is technological revolution.
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NGN changes traditional face of telecommunication sector in India.
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NGN creates incentives to invest for both new entrants and existing
operators.
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NGN is still seen as risky investment.
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Now a days most of investment will be done by Existing big players.
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The NGN evolution will increase the competition.
Alandkar Satish D.
email: [email protected]
Mobile: +91 09423035353