The Network Interoperability Consultative Committee (NICC) met for the 35th time on 5 April. This meeting saw some changes in the Special Systems and Public Equipment (SSPE) Interest Group representation, with Mark Watson (Nortel) attending his first meeting as Chairman of the SSPE. Our thanks go to Iain Donaldson, the outgoing SSPE Chairman for his enthusiastic support of NICC over the years. Also newly elected is the SSPE Vice-Chairman, Joe Ettinger (Alcatel).

The NICC discussed organisational matters such as the scope and funding of the group’s electronic working facilities and formally adopted an IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) guideline document based on the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) practice.

A report was received from the UK ISUP Administrative Working Group (AWG), which is working to ensure an orderly migration of the UK networks to the use of the UK version of ETSI Signalling System No.7 Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (UK ISUP for short!). The group has developed an interconnect testing manual and operators are testing currently. At the time of writing, the first operator had successfully completed testing. Project milestone dates are on target, with interconnects becoming available from the end of this year. The AWG stands apart from NICC, but works very closely with its Interconnect Standards Committee (ISC) and the Public Network Operators (PNO) & SSPE Interest Groups.

NICC received a report on the publication of network interfaces by operators (www.oftel.gov.uk/ind_info/interfaces) which indicated a high level of compliance by operators. It was encouraging to learn that this activity has been noted at the European level as a model for other Member States.

Work is proceeding according to plan in most of the NICC Task Groups. Following discussion of the issues involved, the NICC agreed a re-focussing of the activities in the Number Portability Task Group (NP-TG) to consider solutions to the question of potential network congestion arising from ported numbers. Similarly, the Carrier Pre-Selection Task Group (CPS-TG) and Non-Geographic Numbers, Individual Number Allocation Task Group (NGN-INA-TG) were asked to conclude various items, following a review of their work.

Many of the NICC Studies are central to Oftel’s policy objectives. Extensive industry support and participation has resulted in some notable successes, for example in the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL-TG) and Essential Requirements (ER-TG) Task Groups. DSL-TG’s prolific output is accessible in the publications area of the NICC website and activity continues apace, with consultation expected on the draft Statutory Instrument giving effect to the Radiocommunication Agency enforcement standard MPT1570. ER-TG is close to publishing important Guidelines for operators on preserving network integrity.

NICC Open Forum 2001 – Tuesday 20 November 2001

Arrangements are progressing for this event, which returns to the I.E.E. following last year’s success. The overall theme of this Open Forum will be entitled Living in an IP World and speakers are being approached to create an interesting and diverse range of presentations. Key industry players have again come forward to sponsor the event, which provides a great opportunity for exchanging information and networking with fellow industry professionals. Applications for an invitation may be lodged with the NICC Secretary in the first instance and places will be allocated on a first come/first served basis, subject to availability and the desire for a diverse range of participants.

Joining NICC

Interested parties from industry are welcome to join the NICC Task and Interest Groups by initially contacting the NICC Technical Secretary to make their interests known.

For general information about the structure and activities of NICC, please visit the NICC section of the website. Otherwise please contact the NICC Technical Secretary, Roy Davies (tel: 020 7634 8906 / e-mail roy.davies@oftel.gov.uk or Network Interoperability Programme Manager, Bill Hawkins (tel: 020 7634 8807 / e-mail bill.hawkins@oftel.gov.uk).