July 12 saw the Network Interoperability Consultative Committee (NICC) board meeting for the 36th time. A warm welcome was accorded to Robert Dirskovski, who was recently elected by the NICC User Panel to represent its views on interoperability issues from a user perspective. Thanks were noted to John McPherson who has stood down as Chairman of the Private Systems & Terminal Suppliers (PSTS) manufacturers interest group, after having supported the work of NICC since its inception in the early 1990s.

NICC received a report on the publication of network interfaces by operators which indicated a high level of compliance by operators. The interface specifications are accessible via links published on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/ind_info/interfaces. At the time of writing, enforcement action is being contemplated against those who have yet to publish.

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). Following successful laboratory testing, operators are now being invited to participate in trials later in the year.

The board reviewed the work of the many NICC Task Groups (TGs) and the highlights are as follows.

The Essential Requirements (ER) TG has completed drafting of its formal guidelines document for operators use under licence Condition 20 and this was formally approved for submission to the Director General and subsequent consultation. The ER-TG will now focus its attention on the criteria for restriction of network access on the grounds of network security or integrity.

New standards have been completed by several task groups under the NICC Interconnect Standards Committee and passed formal vote to be released for publication. Some documents are freely available for download, others (indicated in the index as 'Published Documents') may be purchased from the British Standards Institute.

Work continues in the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) TG with work on the access network frequency plan for the sub-loop (ANFP-S) and a trial version is nearing agreement for phase 2 up to 30 Mhz (ie VDSL).

NICC Open Forum 2001 - Tuesday 20 November 2001
This year's event is being held under the theme Living in an IP World and returns to the I.E.E. (Institution of Electrical Engineers) at Savoy Place in London. An exciting range of presentations is planned, covering Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the world of standardisation, soft-switches and future developments in the Internet service providers' world. We thank the industry players who have come forward to sponsor the event and look forward to a stimulating day in which the broad church of NICC participants can meet with diverse industry professionals to exchange ideas.

Applications for an invitation may be lodged with the NICC Secretary via e-mail 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. The e-mail address for the NICC Secretary is roy.davies@oftel.gov.uk.

Joining NICC
Interested parties from industry are invited to join the NICC Task and Interest Groups by initially contacting the NICC Technical Secretary to discuss their interests.

For general information about the structure and activities of NICC, please visit the NICC section of the Oftel website (www.oftel.gov.uk/ind_groups/nicc). 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).