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Question 7/SSG - Convergence of fixed and existing IMT-2000 systems

Reasons for the Study

The rapidly growing wireless data traffic and importance of IP-based networking are stimulating a revolution in the way fixed and mobile networks are implemented. The mid to long-term aspects in which future fixed and mobile networks will no longer be different from the near-term result in the need to address wireless access to IP-based networks.

Seamless services provisioning over and across the heterogeneous fixed (e.g., PSTN, ISDN, PSDN such as Internet, IP networks, CATV, etc.) and evolving mobile networks is desirable in the converged communications environment of the future. In the broader context of convergence, it can be recognized that there are other systems besides IMT-2000 that exist today (e.g., broadcasting, WLAN, Satellite, etc). To involve the interconnection of fixed and mobile networks, interfaces between IMT-2000 networks and other networks and technologies to facilitate convergence should be studied within ITU-T. This Question shall not address public/private network convergence.

It is also recognised that many countries have interest in exploiting IMT-2000 technologies for fixed wireless access (FWA) applications (refer to Q.77/8 for the use of mobile technologies for FWA and Q.215/8 for frequency sharing and interface requirements). Therefore FWA is within the scope of Q.7/SSG.

It is recognised that the service functionalities in fixed and mobile networks are increasingly converging and the collaboration from ITU-T on network aspects is required.

To study network aspects and protocol requirements for Service Provisioning, Mobility Management (covered in Q.2/SSG and input to this Question), Session Control and Bearer Control for the convergence of fixed networks and existing IMT-2000 systems would provide the foundation for migration paths to interoperable and harmonized network architectures to provide services transparently to users across different network access arrangements, subject to regulatory agreements.

Questions

What are the principles and requirements for convergence of public fixed networks and IMT-2000 networks?

How will existing and evolving public fixed networks be evolved as converged core networks to support IMT-2000 capabilities?

What new requirements are needed to support the convergence of puiblic fixed networks and existing IMT-2000 systems?

What are the architectural requirements for converged core networks accessible from various wireless, satellite and wireline access technologies to support current and evolving IMT-2000 capabilities?

How can the study on the convergence of public fixed networks and existing IMT-2000 networks be best adapted to meet the need of developing countries?

Task objectives

All task objectives should consider potential regulatory implications.

1) Establish co-operative working arrangement with external organizations (e.g., SDOs, IETF, ETSI, ATM Forum, Partnership Projects) to ensure that work under this question in ITU-T does not overlap with other external organizations.

Expected completion: On-going

2) Identify and study principles and requirements for convergence of public fixed networks and IMT-2000 networks, and document these in an appropriate manner for consideration by the Partnership Projects and SDOs, and other ITU-T SGs including SG 11, as part of their evolution plans.

Expected completion: 2Q2002.

3) Identify and study network architecture and interface issues which will facilitate evolution of existing public fixed networks towards converged core networks, supporting IMT-2000 capabilities, in close cooperation with other relevant study groups and recognized standardization bodies, and document these in an appropriate manner for consideration by the Partnership Projects and SDOs, and other ITU-T SGs including SG11, as part of their evolution plans.

Expected completion: 1Q2003.

4) Identify and study access network interface issues for utilizing IMT-2000 radio access technologies as FWA with existing public fixed networks, and document these in an appropriate manner for consideration by the Partnership Projects and SDOs, and other ITU-T SGs including SG11, as part of their evolution plans.

Expected completion: 4Q2003.

5) Identify and study architectural and network interface issues, including Service Provisioning, Session Control and Bearer Control, relating to converged core networks consistent with the long term network architecture as delivered by Q.1/SSG to ensure capture of the convergence requirements, and document these in an appropriate manner for consideration by the Partnership Projects and SDOs, and other ITU-T SGs including SG11, as part of their evolution plans.

Expected completion: 4Q2004

6) Identify and study possible migration paths for public fixed and mobile network convergence, and document these in an appropriate manner for consideration by the Partnership Projects and SDOs, and other ITU-T SGs including SG11, as part of their evolution plans.

Expected completion: 4Q2004.

Relationships

  • ITU-R WP8 D & F on IMT-2000 and Beyond radio aspects, ITU-R 8A & B. Related Questions: 77/8, 215/8
  • ITU-R JTG1-6-8-9
  • ITU-T SGs 4, 9, 11, 13, and 16 (Multimedia)

 

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