ITU-T Study Group 16 designed H.320, H.321, and H.322 (the first generation of Multimedia Systems and Terminals) through 1992, followed by H.323, H.324, and H.310 (the second generation) in 1996. Experience with these systems and the advancement of technology, together with the advent of the NGN, create an opportunity for a new generation of multimedia telecommunication systems offering more integrated features, greater extensibility, and more flexible growth paths for the future. We also observe that while multimedia is in the heart of NGN, so far not much attention was given to the specification of multimedia systems and terminals – a task that clearly falls under the responsibility of ITU-T SG 16.

However, before deciding whether or not starting such a work in SG 16, a clear set of requirements regarding such new generation Multimedia System and Terminals is needed. This Call for Proposals was agreed at the recent meeting of SG 16 Questions in Biel, Switzerland, 17 – 20 May 2005, to prompt members to provide contributions towards this possible new work item on Next Generation Multimedia Terminals and Systems (tentatively dubbed H.325 / “NGN Multimedia”).

The Responses solicited by this Call for Requirements should address:

• The requirements for the third generation of ITU-T multimedia systems and terminals, with special focus on how such a system and terminals would be used on the NGN. Proponents are encouraged to propose additional functionalities and to explain their benefits.
• Not precluding others, requirements are sought in the following areas:
  • Marketing and Business Model Requirements
  • NGN Multimedia Applications and Services
  • Architectural requirements (e.g. centralized versus distributed architecture)
    
    • Support for third-party applications (including requirements for application program interfaces, APIs)
  • Media codec requirements and their implementation
  • Security requirements
  • Digital Rights Management requirements
  • Billing and provisioning requirements
  • Protocol Requirements and their implementation
    • Network requirements, including network types, access, QoS, transmission speed, etc.
    • Implementation technology requirements (including hardware, software, APIs)
    • Interworking requirements with legacy multimedia systems and terminals
    • Requirements for harmonization with the services of the NGN core network and its services
  • Requirements regarding extendibility and flexibility of the system
  • Requirements regarding intellectual property rights of the standardized technology and its licensing
  • Requirements for standardization schedule and possible organizational aspects of it (e.g. Focus Group, Joint Rapporteur Group, etc)

Note: Contributors are free to describe further type of requirements that they see (or leave out any), within the scope set out in this document.

Timetable and Procedures

The following planned meetings of ITU-T SG16 and its Rapporteurs Groups are referred within the subsequent CfR (Call for Requirements) and CfP (Call for Proposals) process:

• CfR Issued – SG 16 WP2 Rapp. meeting, Biel, Switzerland, 17 – 20 May 2005
• CfR Responses – Delayed contributions into the SG 16 Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, 26 July ‑ 5 August 2005 (deadline: 14 July 2005 to the TSB at tsbsg16@itu.int)
• CfP Issued – SG 16 Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, 26 July – 5 August 2005
• CfP Responses – Contributions into the SG 16 Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, 14-24 March 2006* (deadline: 2 March 2006 to the TSB at tsbsg16@itu.int)
• Selection, start of standard drafting (depends on the content of the replies to the CfR), 14-24 March 2006*
• Completion (depends on content of the replies to the CfR) – 2007*

All questions concerning the call should be addressed to the CfP contact below, and communications are preferred in electronic form, via e-mail.

CfR Contact – Mr Istvan Sebestyen (istvan.sebestyen@siemens.com)

Non ITU-T members should approach the CfR contact for assistance regarding all aspects of their submission and subsequent attendance to ITU-T meetings.

Participation

Respondents to the CfR should be prepared to attend the ITU-T SG 16 meeting in Geneva, 26 July – 5 August 2005 to discuss details of their proposals. See TSB Collective Letter 2/16 for details of this meeting.

Documentation

CfR respondents should be submitted as Delayed contributions to the ITU-T SG 16 meeting 26 July – 5 August 2005.

Evaluation criteria

SG 16 will take the best requirement ideas from the proposals received. This may be based on a single proposal or on combination of several proposals.