Executive summary of the SG13 meeting

Executive summary of the SG13 meeting
23 October – 3 November 2023, Geneva, Switzerland​

This SG13 meeting was called up by the Collective-letter 6/13 (of 3 August 2023) and its Addendum 1 (dated 29 September 2023).

The opening remarks were delivered by the TSB Director, Mr Seizo Onoe, who mentioned in particular, that “contributions to SG13 have been on the rise. Each of the meetings in this study period has received more contributions than the last, and this meeting welcomes 248. SG13 is demonstrating strong will to launch new work."

This SG13 meeting attracted 328 delegates (199 remote only and 129 present in person), considered 698 documents split as 248 contributions and 450 TDs. List of contributions may be found in TD133/PLEN.

TSB MyMeetings platform for remote participation was used to support each session at this Study Group meeting resulting in 232 sessions in total.

Main meeting results

 31 outputs were approved/consented/agreed: A total of 18 new Recommendations, 6 Amendments were consented, 4 Supplements and 2 technical reports were agreed and one new Recommendation was approved.​

​                                                  Recommendation approved (Recommendation A.8 - AAP)

SG13 approved the above-mentioned Recommendation at its opening plenary on 23 October 2023.
TSB circular 150 (dated 13 November 2023) announces approval.

​                                            ​Recommendations consented for Last Call (Recommendation A.8 - AAP)

* On 24 October 2023 ETRI submitted the generic patent declaration for Recommendation ITU-T Y.3819 “Quantum key distribution networks - Requirements and architectural model for autonomic management and control enablement”. It was duly registered in the ITU-T Patents declaration database https://www.itu.int/ipr. 

The AAP Last Call for the listed above 18 Recommendations, consented by SG13 at the closing plenary on 3 November 2023, started on 16 November 2023.

6 Amendments to Y.3800-series of Recommendations, consented by SG13 at interim plenary on 30 October 2023, listed above, entered the AAP Last Call on 1 November 2023.

Sup​plements agreed to (Recommendation A.13)

Technical reports agreed to (Recommendation A.13)

 Important decisions (apart of Recommendations/Deliverables)

Human Assets​

The meeting agreed to nominate​

• Mr Alojz Hudobivnik (Slovenia) as the SG13 focal point for EWM (Electronic Working Methods)
• Mr Huan Deng (China Telecom, China) as the Acting rapporteur for Q2/13 (for October meeting) in absence of the Rapporteur in charge
• Mr Kangchan Lee (ETRI, Republic of Korea) as Acting WP2/13 chair to substitute the WP2/13 chair for this meeting
• Mr Gyu Myoung Lee (Republic of Korea) and Ms Jingwen Li (China Telecom) as co-conveners of the Web3-adhoc to replace Mr Hyeontaek Oh (KAIST, Republic of Korea) who has been about to leave this activity
• Mr Leon Wong (Rakuten Mobile) and Mr Vishnu Ram Ov (India) as co-conveners of the CG-AI6G
• Mr Ved P. Kafle (NICT Japan) as the SG13 Liaison Rapporteur to JCA-IdM
  
  ​Proposal for a new FG-AI6G “AI for future networks including 6G"
  

Contributions C495, C539, C623, C661-R2 and C697 brought the proposal to establish a new Focus Group on artificial intelligence in IMT-2030 (FG-AI6G) with almost identical terms of reference in each input. Since all these documents spoke about the same issue, ToRs and rationale, only one document, C661-R2, was presented at the meeting to start the discussions on the substance. Given variety of views and a numbers of questions for clarifications, expressed at the opening plenary about the new FG creation, the meeting decided to set up an Ad-hoc group to look into this issue and all the contributions in details and bring to the closing plenary the proposal along with the ToR of the new group. Mr Gyu Myoung Lee (Republic of Korea) was appointed to lead the ad-hoc deliberations.

Members, supporting new FG-AI6G creation, (from contributions): Turkcell, du (UAE), Ministry of Communications (India), Fraunhofer HHI (Germany), University of Glasgow (UK), China Telecom, Rakuten Mobile (Japan), Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Tunisie Télécom (Tunisia) and Zambia.

For results of the ad-hoc on new FG-AI6G work and meeting decision see clause about ad-hocs deliberations below.

WTSA-24 preparations
were performed by the activities of the Ad-hoc on next study period (NSP Ad-hoc) led by SG13 Vice-chair, Mr Hyung-Soo (Hans) Kim. Ad-hoc had its sessions on 24, 26 October and 1 November 2023 during this SG13 meeting. Report may be found in TD247-R1/GEN. It captures the discussion about the proposed Questions texts for 2025-2028 study period the way they stand for now. Discussions will continue. A number of e-meetings are envisaged before the next SG13 meeting in March 2024. Parts of Resolution 2 with the SG13 mandate, new Question for coordination and new Question on future network for supporting Web3.0 are part of these discussions.

As before, the participants were encouraged to submit contributions with changes to the SG13 title, area of responsibility, lead study group roles and points of guidance for the next study period.

Addressing the communication from TSAG in TD140/PLEN “LS/i on draft analysis of operational parts (resolves, instructs etc) of WTSA/PP/WTDC Resolutions", a reply liaison statement was agreed as depicted in TD159/PLEN.

Ad-hoc activities

Ad-hoc on Computing and Network Convergence (CNC) definition coordination (with Questions 2/13, 6/13, 17/13, 20/13, 21/13, 22/13 and 23/13 involvement) accomplished its work at March 2023 SG13 meeting and was formally closed at the opening plenary of SG13 on 23 October 2023.

 Continuation of the Web3 Ad-hoc with the up-dated Terms of Reference

Ad-hoc's “Future ICT Evolution for emerging Web Era" (Web3 Ad-hoc) progress and activities to date are captured in its progress report, TD157/PLEN. In particular, this report lists the findings of the group on potential standardization items for new infrastructure for digital assets and for network enhancements (or future networks).

Through its progress report the group requested continuation of its operation for one more year on a rationale to have enough time to accomplish the work (as depicted in clause 5 of the report) and finalize Technical Report about potential standardization items to provide technical insights and clear directions for future standardization.

Furthermore, the SG13 plenary meeting agreed to send the Contribution C514, Republic of Korea,  “Proposal to establish a new Correspondence Group on Trustworthy Data Infrastructure for Digital Assets Trading" to the consideration by web3 Ad-hoc; the latter, at its meeting on 25 October 2023, agreed to request SG13 the continuation of its operation till the end of 2024 with the revised Terms of Reference that include the two new expectations for the group (technical report “Trustworthy Data Infrastructure for Digital Assets Trading" and technical report “Network enhancement for supporting emerging Web technologies (Web3.0)"). TD156-R1/PLEN contains these up-dated Terms of Reference (ToR). The SG13 meeting participants agreed to these ToR and continuation of the Web3 Ad-hoc work until December 2024.

Since the current convener of the Web3 ad-hoc, Mr Hyeontaek Oh (KAIST, Republic of Korea) could not continue his participation in ITU activities, the new leaders were nominated as follows:

Web3 ad-hoc co-conveners

• Mr Gyu Myoung Lee (Republic of Korea) and
• Ms Jingwen Li (China Telecom)

The liaison statement to all ITU-T SGs and TSAG with the call for participation of experts in the SG13 web3 ad-hoc was agreed by the meeting, TD187/PLEN.

Mr Hyeontaek Oh (KAIST, Republic of Korea) was thanked for his enthusiasm, all the efforts and excellent work he performed as web3 ad-hoc convener in 2022- 2023.

Ad-hoc on new FG-AI6G and establishment of the new CG-AI6G

Established by the opening SG13 plenary Ad-hoc on new FG-AI6G performed its duties in four sessions (23, 26, 30 October and 1 November 2023) and reported the results in TDs PLEN 185 and 186. Ad-hoc agreed to propose to the plenary to start with the correspondence group to look in-depth into the objectives and carefully crafted terms of reference for the new focus group on artificial intelligence in IMT-2030 (FG-AI6G) in order for the SG13 to be ready taking a balanced decision on establishment of the new FG at its next meeting.

The new CG on artificial intelligence for IMT2030 (CG-AI6G) with ToR as found in TD186/PLEN was agreed.

Co-conveners are​

•  Mr Leon Wong (Rakuten Mobile) and
•  ​Mr Vishnu Ram Ov (India).

CG is to report to the March 2024 SG13 meeting.

 Collaboration

C622-R1 from India “Request to TSB to conduct an analysis for the A.5 qualification of the O-RAN Alliance" brought the proposal to start the qualification process for O-RAN Alliance with regards to it qualification per criterions of Recommendation ITU-T A.5. This proposal was supported by the official communication from O-RAN Alliance to TSB Director. Therefore, the SG13 evaluated the proposal and agreed to request secretariat (TSB) to prepare the analysis of the O-RAN Alliance status per the requirements of Recommendation ITU-T A.5.

Bridging Standardization Gap (BSG)

SG13RG-AFR convened its regular (annual) meeting on 21 – 22 September 2023 in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire under the kind invitation of Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte d'Ivoire (ARTCI) . Meeting participants reviewed and approved the SG13RG-AFR meeting report (Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire, 21 – 22 September 2023) in TD146/PLEN, and noted with interest the outcomes of associated Regional Workshop for Africa on "Standardization of Future Networks and Emerging Network Technologies: African perspectives" of 19 – 20 September 2023, which​ took place at the same venue, TD227/GEN.

Next meeting of the SG13 Regional Group for Africa is planned as virtual one-day activity the week of April, 22, 2024. Then SG13RG-AFR will meet physically in the 4^th quarter of 2024 after the WTSA-24. Hosts are welcome.

The meeting plans for SG13RG-EECAT were suspended.

BSG hands-on training session was offered by TSB to the SG13 delegates from developing countries on 25 October 2023. It attracted 11 physical attendees, 19 participants from remote and trailed a quiz for the participants.

 Revised Terms of Reference for the SG13RG-AFR

The meeting reviewed with satisfaction the good progress to date of the SG13 regional group for Africa and followed the introduction of the proposed revised Terms of Reference for this group as appears in TD142/PLEN. It was the outcome of the last SG13RG-AFR meeting. Up-dated ToR include the new priorities for the region that now include Machine Learning, future technology trends towards 2030, quantum enhanced networking, Autonomous Networks and few more. The new priorities as well as revised Terms of Reference were agreed by the SG13 meeting.

 New questionnaire for developing countries

A new questionnaire in support of the work on draft new Recommendation Y.expBDtech-frame “Requirements and Framework for the exploitation of Big Data/Artificial Intelligence technologies in developing countries" in Q5/13 was ready for the decision of the meeting. Questionnaire "Requirements and Framework for the exploitation of Big Data/Artificial Intelligence technologies in developing countries" was agreed by the SG13 for dissemination as appears in TD184/PLEN. Replies are welcome by 2 February 2024.

 Progress reports

Focus Group on Autonomous Networks (FG-AN)

FG-AN reported its activities and results of the last meetings in TD143/PLEN. The meeting noted the FG-AN progress to date and maintenance of the good communication and collaboration channel with SDOs and industry bodies active in the AN area. Together with the progress report the FG-AN chair asked the indulgence of the meeting to convene the last meeting of the group not in December 2023 but in January 2024. FG-AN is expected to conclude its work by end of 2023. However, exception to hold the last meeting of the group in January instead of December was graciously granted to the FG-AN. SG13 expects to receive the last few Deliverables, FG-AN is currently working on: “Knowledge Management for Autonomous Network", gap analysis, definitions glossary and Report with Proof-of-Concept. Participants were invited to join the weekly conference calls of the FG-AN to advance this work towards its completion.

 Correspondence Group on datasets

ITU-T Correspondence Group for datasets applicable for AI/ML in networks (CG-datasets) reported progress to date in TD147/PLEN. Group had seven conference calls to date and is elaborating the report required per its terms of references (technical report on standardization approach for datasets). The meeting noted the report in TD147/PLEN by CG co-convener, Mr Marco Carugi (Huawei Technologies, China).

 Web3 Ad-hoc

The ad-hoc “Future ICT Evolution for emerging Web Era" (Web3 Ad-hoc) activities were introduced by the group leader, Mr Hyeontaek Oh (KAIST, Republic of Korea) who walked the participants through the TD157/PLEN. Report and progress of the group was noted by the meeting.

 JCA-IMT2020

TD144/PLEN from the JCA-IMT2020 chair, Mr Scott Mansfield (Ericsson Canada), informs about the progress to date of the JCA-IMT2020 and Beyond. It lists, in particular, the presentations the JCA received through its lifetime (since 2017). The report was noted by the meeting.

 JCA-ML

The chair of the JCA-ML, Mr Kangchan Lee (ETRI, Republic of Korea), reported the progress of his group by presenting TD145/PLEN. Report talks about two main projects of the group ML standardization roadmap and glossary of terms. The first progress report by JCA-ML was well noted by the meeting.

Innovations

A training course for Editors was offered to the SG13 meeting participants for the first time.

A new questionnaire was finalized by Q5/13.

The renewed BSG training with the interactive exercise was trialed on 25 October 2023 for SG13 representatives of developing countries.

A first step on the way of closer collaboration with O-RAN Alliance was established.

 Coordination activities

New work items coordination

The approach to assess the proposals for the new work in their entirety, tried in March 2023, was continued at this meeting. Namely, SG13 had three sessions (24, 25 and 26 October 2023) for exchanging the opinions on the new work proposed for starting at this meeting. Exceptionally the new work items coordination sessions were run by the SG13 Vice-Chair, Mr Scott Mansfield (Ericsson Canada) from remote with the full support of SG13 chair, Mr Kazunori Tanikawa, in the meeting room. The report may be found in TD244/GEN. It captures the overall instructions for drafting the future new work proposals aiming to improve its quality and readability.

JCA-IMT2020

The regular JCA-IMT2020 meeting took place in Geneva on 31 October 2023 alongside this SG13 meeting. As custom, it agreed on a big number of new Recommendations and technical specifications to be included into its ongoing project IMT-2020 and beyond roadmap. This time the meeting received the presentation on SG15 work on transport network support for IMT-2020 and the evolution to IMT-2030 and a talk from the JCA-IMT2020 chair about automatic extraction and population of the roadmap from ETSI public website.

​JCA-ML

The JCA-ML held its third meeting alongside this SG13 meeting on 27 October 2023. It advanced the work on its two coordination projects based on the inputs received:

• Machine learning standardization roadmap (Editor: Mr Sungpil Shin, ETRI, Republic of Korea) and
• Glossary of terms and definitions for machine learning (Editor: Mr Hongki Cha, ETRI)

In addition, presentation of current standardization efforts in ITU-T Study Group 13 Q20/13 on machine learning, courtesy of Mr Marco Carugi (Q20/13 Rapporteur), was given to the meeting attendees. The next JCA-ML meeting (23 February 2023, Geneva, alongside the SG17 meeting) will have a presentation of SG17 security activities related to AI/ML.

​Communication with FG-MV

Further to the request on providing inputs and feedback on the metaverse-related technologies standardization work, received from the FG-MV (TD224/GEN), SG13 prepared and agreed its input as found in TD158/PLEN.

 New Work

Contributions brought 46 proposals to initiate the new work, out of which 36 were drafted in the form of a new Recommendation (31), Supplement (3), technical report (2), and three kept in the living lists.

In addition, two proposals for the new Recommendations deferred from the WP1/13 July 2023 meeting were handled by the WP1/13 and agreed as Y.IMT2020-qos-cec-rf and Y. det-rdcs-rf (Q6/13).

So, in total this meeting agreed to the initiation of 38 new work items, TD189/PLEN, TD544/WP1, TD548/WP1.

 Outreach

Information sessions

A regular newcomer session presentation was delivered by the SG13 Mentor, Mr Alojz Hudobivnik (WP1/13 Vice-chair), on 23 October 2023. It attracted 15 live and 37 remote participants. Presented material is available from TD222/GEN.

Training for Editors session was offered to the SG13 meeting participants, Editors and Rapporteurs in particular, on 27 October 2023. It was convened by the TSB Engineer-Editor, Mr Anibal Cabrera, materials, presented in session, may be found in TD232/GEN. 18 delegates in the room and 33 from remote followed the training.

Workshop

The FG-AN convened the workshop “Advances in Autonomous Networks: 2023 and beyond" on 24 October 2023 morning in Geneva to cover the main areas of its work (use cases, architecture framework, trust and knowledge management). Attendance raises up to 91 participants (both in-person and remote).

Roadmaps

SG13 agreed

• the next revision of the Supplement 59 (to Y.3100-series) on IMT-2020 and beyond standardization roadmap, TD181/PLEN. First version was published as Supplement 59 to Y.3100-series in 2020, then revised in 2022.
• the revision of the Supplement 40 (to the Y.3600-series) “Big data and data handling standardization roadmap". Original was published as Supplement 40 to Y.3600-series in 2016.
  
  and continues its work on
  

• Supplement with the standardization roadmap on trustworthy networking and services, TD410/WP3, target for 3Q 2024.

​Future plans

An important number of interim meetings was agreed to (TD188/PLEN).

The 18^th JCA-IMT2020 meeting will take place alongside the SG13 meeting on 5 March 2024 in Geneva.

The fourth JCA-ML meeting will take place alongside the SG17 meeting on 23 February 2024 in Geneva.

Web3 Ad-hoc, NSP ad-hoc and correspondence groups (on datasets and on AI for 6G) will continue their activities to pursue their terms of reference.

Next SG13 meeting is planned take place on 4 – 15 March 2024 in Geneva. Tentative consent/determination/agreement plan may be found in TD248/GEN.​