The Board of the Network Interoperability Consultative Committee (NICC) met for the 38th time on 24 January.

This was the last meeting at which the manufacturers were represented as two separate groups. The Board confirmed the merger of the Special Systems and Public Equipment Interest Group (SSPE-IG) and the Private Systems and Terminal Suppliers Interest Group (PSTS-IG), by endorsing the terms of reference of the newly formed Equipment and Systems Suppliers Interest Group (ESS-IG). This move reflects the technological developments that have blurred the traditional distinction between public and private network switches and the reduction in the regulation of terminal equipment. Elections for the officers of ESS-IG follow and interested manufacturers are invited to join.

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 interconnection. BT, Orange and Spitfire have successfully completed tests and the carriage of live traffic commences in February. The next AWG milestone has been achieved on schedule, with operators now able to request UK-ISUP interconnection from BT on a 'business as usual' basis.

The Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) TG has completed another phase of its work, with the release of further specifications for both the Kingston Communications and BT networks. The NICC Board continues to take a keen interest in developments in Europe concerning Commission proposals for a harmonised standard to cover emissions from wired telecommunications systems similar to the UK's intended enforcement standard, MPT1570.

The Number Portability Task Group (NP-TG) has completed its review of the Geographic and Non-Geographic Number Portability High Level Service Descriptions and their publication is imminent, with completion of the associated report expected soon.

Information about NICC output is available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/ind_groups/nicc/public. Some documents are freely available for download, others (indicated in the index as 'Published Documents') may be purchased from the British Standards Institute.

NICC Open Forum

Following an interesting and enjoyable day attended by over 100 participants, the presentation slides from NICC Open Forum 2001, under the theme Living in an IP World have been published on the website. Diverse presentations covered subjects ranging from internet protocol (IP) issues such as voice over IP and emerging standards to soft PBXs and visions of the future for service provision. Our thanks go to all the speakers and to Alcatel, BT, Energis, Ericsson, ntl, Orange, Telewest and Vodafone for jointly sponsoring the 2001 Open Forum.

Arrangements are now being considered for this year's event, to be held in London in November 2002 and the NICC Secretary would welcome suggestions for thought provoking presentations and subjects for discussion.

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).