Motivation

The operation of conversational and non-conversational session-based communications in NGN architecture will use session signalling control protocols to support a wide range of multimedia services¹. In the case of conversational services, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) will most likely be a candidate for which relevant profiles shall be specified in order to support the service capabilities and requirements in the NGN environment. Convergence with the 3GPP IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem SIP profile should be sought, taking into consideration relevant adaptations required to accommodate the requirements of fixed IP connectivity access networks and any other identified NGN requirements.

Recommendations in force for which the Question is responsible: Q.761-Q.765, Q.767, Q.931-Q.932, Q.1950, Q.1901, Q.1902, Q.1912, Q.1922, Q.3401 and Q.UNI.

Question

Study items to be considered include, but are not limited to:

• What new Recommendations are required to specify session control and signalling requirements and protocols for the Next Generation Networks (NGN)?
• What enhancements should be made to the existing signalling Recommendations to facilitate evolution of current networks to NGN?
• What enhancements should be made to the existing signalling Recommendations to accommodate emerging technologies such as Distributed network technology (GRID & peer to peer), multicast technology (IPTV) etc.
• What enhancements should be made to the existing signalling Recommendations to accommodate private and enterprise networks?
• What associated mechanisms are required to assure security of session signalling and control?
• What functional architecture and entities are required to support services and/or applications of public interest such as multimedia emergency communications, lawful interception, number portability, etc.?
• What enhancements to existing Recommendations are required to provide energy savings directly or indirectly in information and communication technologies or in other industries? What enhancements to developing or new Recommendations are required to provide such energy savings?

Tasks

An up-to-date status of work under this Question is contained in the SG 11 Work Program (http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/workprog/wp_search.aspx?isn_sp=1&isn_sg=86).

Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Develop control and signalling requirements and protocols to support session based multimedia services.
• Enhance existing signalling protocols on an as needed basis.
• Develop specifications for interworking between new and existing session control and signalling protocols.
• Develop specifications of interfaces to adjacent layers (application, resource control) jointly with relevant Questions/groups.

Relationships

Recommendations:

• Q.1900, Q.2700, Q.2900, Q.600, Q.700 and Q.900-series.

Questions:

Questions responsible for:

• signalling and control architecture (1/11).
• application control and signalling (2/11).
• bearer control and signalling (4/11).
• resource control and signalling (5/11).
• network attachment control and signalling (7/11).
• project coordination and release planning for NGN (1/13).
• requirements and implementation scenarios for emerging services in NGN (2/13).
• principles and functional architecture for NGN (3/13).
• multimedia systems, terminals and data conferencing (1/16).
• real-time audio, video, and data communication over packet-switched networks (2/16).

Study Groups:

ITU-T Study Group(s) responsible for:

• NGN architecture.
• multimedia services & applications.
• security aspects.
• mobility aspects.
• network management aspects (including QoS, Overload etc.).
• multimedia emergency communications.

Standardization bodies:

• Organizations such as: 3GPP (via ETSI) and 3GPP2 (via TIA); IETF (Real time Applications and Infrastructure Area).

¹The word “service” in this context is not meant necessarily to represent an ITU-T-defined Service.