Executive summary of the SG13 meeting

​ SG13: Future networks and emerging network technologies​

Executive summary of the SG13 meeting
4-15 July 2022, Geneva, Switzerland

Called up by the Collective-letter 1/13 (of 14 April 2022), this SG13 meeting was the first in the 2022 – 2024 Study Period. The mandate and the list of Questions under study as approved by the WTSA-20 are found in SG13-C1. The meeting agreed on the SG structure to organize the work and on nomination of SG13 Working Parties Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, Rapporteurs, Associate Rapporteurs and Liaison Rapporteurs.

It attracted 305 delegates (66 in-person and 239 remote) and considered 617 documents split as 201 contributions and 416 TDs. List of participants maybe found in TD10/PLEN.

Remote participation facilities (TSB MyMeetings platform) were offered upon request that resulted in 226 sessions in total (out of 236 held).

Before the opening plenary, on 4 July 2022, the tribute session in a memory of the former SG13 chairman, Mr Leo Lehmann (OFCOM, Switzerland) took place at ITU premises and remotely. Participants acknowledged the tremendous input of Dr Leo into the achievements and activities of SG13 and observed a minute of silence.

The opening remarks were delivered by the TSB Director, Mr Chaesub Lee, who, in particular, welcomed the nine new SG13 Vice-chairmen, furthermore he underlined that this study period is a short one and very shortly the group needs to start preparations to the next study period.

​Main meeting results

                                                           Study Group structure and Working Parties leadership

​Study Group 13 stays with the same structure and numbering of Questions as in the previous study period.

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

¹⁾ On 7 July 2022 ETRI submitted the patent declaration for the draft new Recommendation ITU-T Y.3811 (formerly Y.QKDN-qos-fa) “Quantum key distribution networks - Functional architecture for quality of service assurance”. This information was duly registered in the ITU-T Patents declaration database www.itu.int/ITU-T/ipr/.​³⁾ On 24 October 2022 ETRI submitted the patent declaration for the draft new Recommendation ITU-T Y.3537 (formerly Y.mc-reqts) “Cloud Computing – Functional requirements of cloud service partner for multi-cloud”. This information was duly registered in the ITU-T Patents declaration database www.itu.int/ITU-T/ipr/.
³⁾ On 3 November 2022 ETRI submitted the patent declaration for the draft new Recommendation ITU-T Y.3538 (formerly Y.ccgmfdc) “Cloud Computing - Global Management Framework of Distributed Cloud". This information was duly registered in the ITU-T Patents declaration database www.itu.int/ITU-T/ipr/.​​
⁴⁾ On 2 February 2023 Wuhan Rayton Network Technology submitted the patent declaration for the draft new Recommendation ITU-T Y.3117 (formerly Y.IMT2020-qos-req-se) “Quality of service assurance-related requirements and framework for smart education supported by IMT-2020 and beyond". This information was duly registered in the ITU-T Patents declaration database www.itu.int/ITU-T/ipr/.​

The AAP Last Call for the above-mentioned Recommendations will start on 1 September 2022.

Recommendation proposed for deletion (Resolution 1)

TSB Circular 32 (of 29 July 2022) launched the consultation for deletion.

                                                                       Sup​plement agreed to (Recommendation A.13)

Organization of the work
The meeting recognized the priorities for study as IMT-2020 and beyond networks and systems, data handling, network evolution, trust and quantum enhanced networking and implemented that in the SG13 structure for this study period.

WTSA-20 decisions implementation and follow up

• In response to the WTSA-20 Resolution 92 (IMT-2020) agreed to set up in the work programme of Q21/13 the new work item, revised Supplement 59 “IMT-2020 standardization roadmap", targeted for completion in November 2022. This is a snapshot of the online version of the IMT2020 and Beyond roadmap, maintained by the JCA-IMT2020.
• In response to the WTSA-20 Resolution 94 reconfirmed for the rapporteur of Q17/13 to continue soliciting contributions on the cloud-based event data technology aspects.
• Reviewed the outcomes, decisions and statistics on the WTSA-20, TD18-R1 and Add.1/PLEN
• WTSA-20 entrusted SG13 13 Questions for study (SG13-C1) that will follow the AAP path each. 

Focus Group progress
FG-AN reported its activities and results of the last meetings in TD17/PLEN. The meeting noted the FG-AN progress to date, establishment of the communication channel with ETSI ZSM group and 3GPP SA5, and anticipated deliverables. Participants were invited to join the weekly e-meetings of the FG-AN to advance its work.
Furthermore, the SG13 agreed for publication the new Supplement 71 to Y.3000-series “Use cases for Autonomous Networks" largely based on the first Deliverable of the FG-AN with the collection of 40 use cases for autonomous networks. 

Coordination activities 

JCA-ML​
In implementing the decision of last SG13 meeting (November – December 2021) to come back to the establishment of the new JCA-ML, the meeting reviewed the current situation, the JCA terms of reference, as developed by SG13 back in December 2021 (TD14/PLEN), and acknowledged a new SG13 Lead Study Gorup role for Machine Learning. It further agreed to initiate a new Joint Coordination Activity on Machine Learning (JCA-ML) with the terms of reference as depicted in TD14-R1/PLEN under the chairmanship of Mr Kangchan Lee (ETRI, Republic of Korea) supported by the vice-chairman, Mr Marco Carugi (Huawei, China). JCA-ML reports to SG13 and it is authorized to operate until end of 2024. As one of its tasks JCA-ML will periodically review the roadmap(s) in its area of expertise. A liaison statement to TSAG with the request for endorsement of the new JCA-ML was agreed for dispatching (TD22-R1/PLEN). 

JCA-IMT2020
The regular JCA-IMT2020 meeting took place on 7 July 2022 alongside this SG13 meeting. As custom, it agreed on a big number of new Recommendations, Supplements and technical specifications to be included into its ongoing project IMT-2020 and beyond roadmap. The JCA-IMT2020 assessed its operation and the continuation of its activities beyond 2022; both received a favorable feedback from the meeting attendees. 

CQ - Quantum communications related studies
The co-located quantum (CQ) meeting was convened on 7 July 2022 among Qs 2/11, 6/13, 16/13 and 15/17. It reviewed the FG-QIT4N Deliverables, TDs 13 and 16/GEN, and recommended to initiate Recommendations or Supplements, based on the FG-QIT Deliverables, per suggestions from TSAG. Regarding JCA-QIT set up, the meeting was of the opinion to have JCA (with focus on QKDN at first) under TSAG and to extend its activities afterwards for emerging issues like QIT.
The report of CQ activity may be found in TD58/GEN. 

CNC coordination session between Qs 2, 6, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23/13 to look at the definition of computing and network convergence (CNC) took place on 5 and 6 July 2022. Furthermore, an ad-hoc group on CNC definition coordination was established at this meeting for further discussion.

Ad-hocs and correspondence group 

CG-datasets for AI/ML in networks
Recognizing the importance of the standardization efforts for the datasets to be used for artificial intelligence and machine learning, SG13 agreed to set up the Correspondence Group for datasets applicable for AI/ML in networks (CG-datasets for AI/ML in networks) with Terms of Reference as found in Annex A of TD51/PLEN led by Mr Marco Carugi (Huawei, China) and Mr Vishnu Ram (India). The expected outcome of the work is elaboration by July 2023 of a Technical Report with technical insights and recommendations to SG13 for a standardization approach for datasets applicable for AI/ML in networks. Exceptionally only, this correspondence group, will be opened to non-ITU members, invited by the co-conveners (for more details on modalities of operation see Liaison Statement in TD55/PLEN). 

Ad-hoc group on CNC definition coordination
The CNC coordination sessions identified a need in coordination mechanism for studies related to computing and network convergence. Starting point for this was seen in assessing in-depth of the definition of CNC as laid out in TD24/PLEN. After extensive debates, SG13 agreed to set up an ad-hoc group on CNC definition coordination with terms of reference and modalities of work as detailed in TD24-R1/PLEN. It was clarified that the group is supposed to come up with the definition of CNC and clear understanding of differences between CNC, CAN and CPN. Ah-hoc was requested to report the results of its findings (guidance to SG13 on the definition of CNC and use of the terms CPN, CAN and CNC) by 31 October, to be considered by the 14 November SG13 meeting. The new work items (related to CNC) in Q2 (Y.CNC-exp-reqts, Y.CNC-TP-arc Y.CNC-CL-Arch), Q20 (Y.IMT2020-SS-CNC) and 23 (Y.FMSC-CNC), elaborated at the July SG13 meeting, were not agreed for immediate start but deferred to the 14 November SG13 plenary meeting decision. Contributions to these new work item proposals are, however, welcome by the deadline for the November SG13 RGM (i.e., 1 November 2022). Subsequent to the meeting, Mr Ved Kafle (NICT, Japan) and Mr Alojz Hudobivnik (Slovenia) were confirmed as co-conveners of the ad-hoc group.

Ad-hoc on "Future ICT Evolution for emerging Web Era" (Web3-adhoc)
​Contributions 8-R1 and 9-R1 from KAIST (Republic of Korea) brought a new and broad topic of future web platform (Web 3.0 platform). In order to examine the standardization opportunities, SG13 decided to set up an Ad-hoc on "Future ICT Evolution for emerging Web Era" (Web3-adhoc) with terms of reference as found in TD23/PLEN. Having authority to run until the end of 2023, ad-hoc is anticipated to deliver a progress report with a preliminary strategic plan for future standardization with potential work items in SG13 in this and next study periods. Mr Hyeontaek Oh (KAIST, Republic of Korea) was appointed a convener of the group. 

Additional nominations​

• The SG13 meeting nominated Mr Alojz Hudobivnik (Slovenia) as a new SG13 Mentor. Many years of dedication, expertise, efforts and enthusiasm of the former SG13 Mentor, Mr Marco Carugi, were acknowledged with appreciation.
• The meeting confirmed the Liaison Coordination functions to be performed by Mr Konstantin Trofimov (Russian Federation) as in the previous study period.
• Mr Abhay Shanker Verma (India) was nominated the SG13 promotion officer.
• Mr Dae Won Kim (ETRI) stood in to perform the Acting on the spot in Geneva chairman function for some Q19/13 sessions. 

The efforts of all those who accepted the important roles in SG13, including WP leaders and Rapporteurs were recognized and appreciated. 

Bridging Standardization Gap
The SG13 Regional Group for Africa (SG13RG-AFR) will continue its work in this study period under the Term of Reference as approved in March 2020. Its ninth meeting of will take place on 20 October 2022 as virtual one-day event. During this SG13 meeting in Geneva, on 12 July 2022 the SG13RG-AFR chairman, Ms Rim Belhassine-Cherif, convened the preparatory meeting for SG13RG-AFR meetings and operation in this study period. For 2023, SG13RG-AFR plans to have one physical meeting, preceded by a regional workshop, and one virtual meeting, and is still looking for the volunteers to host the physical meeting and workshop.

The SG13 Regional Group for Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Transcaucasia (SG13RG-EECAT) will continue its work in this study period. The meeting plans for SG13RG-EECAT, however, are suspended because of the pandemics and travel restrictions.

BSG hands-on training session was offered by TSB to the SGs 11 and 13 delegates from developing countries on 7 July 2022.

Contribution C198 from Tunisia telecom touches base on the important work performed in SG13 by Q5/13 “Applying Future Networks and innovation in developing countries". The outcomes of this Question are well recognized by the developing countries, especially in Africa, where SG13 has a Regional Group. In order to attract more developing countries from all over the world to participation in the work of Q5/13, the meeting decided to instruct a secretariat to work with the ITU Regional and Area Offices to disseminate the information about Q5/13 activities and topics under study. This Question has been working with remote participation tools since TSB has started offering this service.

Outreach – workshops and roadmaps
A regular newcomer session presentation was delivered by the SG13 Mentor, Mr Alojz Hudobivnik, on 5 July 2022. It attracted 23 participants (7 in person and 16 online). Presented material is available from TD54/GEN. It total 31 persons were new to SG13 activities at this meeting.

Workshops 
The FG-AN workshop “Advances in Autonomous Networks: Use Cases, Architecture and PoC" will take place on 15 November 2022 in Geneva, alongside SG13 rapporteur group meetings.

Roadmaps
SG13 continues its work on

• Revised Supplement on big data and data handling standardization roadmap, TD56/WP2. Anticipated approval is in December 2023. Original was published as Supplement 40 to Y.3600-series in 2015.
• Supplement with the standardization roadmap on trustworthy networking and services, TD41/WP3, target for October 2023.
• Supplement with the standardization roadmap on quantum key distribution networks, TD22/WP3, target for December 2023.
• Supplement on Artificial Intelligence Standardization Roadmap, TD57/WP2. Anticipated completion is in November 2022. 

New Work
Contributions brought 45 proposals to initiate the new work, out of which 29 were drafted in the form of a new Recommendation (28) and technical report (1). Decision on 5 new work items on CNC were deferred to the 14 November SG13 plenary meeting, and 2 proposals for the new work items were kept in the living lists.

In total this meeting agreed to the initiation of 30 new work items (TD54/PLEN and revised Supplement 59). 

Innovation
The session on technical innovations was convened on 5 and 8 July 2022 to look at the proposed new work items in entirety. This new activity received much interest and was very well attended.

The SG13 Vice-chairmen were assign each to mentor a particular Question to provide some advice on smooth operation, facilitate taking on board the new work and perform the Acting (on podium) meeting chairman functions. First experience proved to be highly successful.​ 

SG13 operation and best practices
As a general rule, SG13 will input its consented Recommendations into the closest AAP LC cycle. However, taking into account that August is a holiday month in many companies, the 19 consented texts at July 2022 meeting will be sent to the AAP LC of 1 September 2022.

Future plans

An important number of interim activities were agreed to (TD53/PLEN). In particular, all SG13 Questions will meet as co-located Rapporteur groups in Geneva on 14 – 25 November 2022.

Draft Recommendation Y.2086 (Y.DNI-fr) “Framework and Requirements of Decentralized Trustworthy Network Infrastructure" is still in the AAP Last Call comments resolution phase.

JCA-IMT2020 will hold its next meeting in Geneva on 20 September 2022 during SG15 meeting.

SG13RG-AFR will convene its virtual meeting on 20 October 2022. 

Next meetings
A one-day SG13 meeting will take place on 14 November 2022 in Geneva. The agenda includes consideration for

• Continuation of the JCA-IMT2020
• Extension of the lifetime of FG-AN
• CNC Ad-hoc operation and report, taking further actions with regards to the 5 new work items on CNC:
  
• Q2: Y.CNC-exp-reqts “Requirements of capability exposure in CNC network", Y.CNC-TP-arc “Requirements and functional architecture of transaction platform in CNC network" and Y.CNC-CL-Arch “Requirements and architecture of control layer in CNC network";
• Q20: Y.IMT2020-SS-CNC "Requirements and framework of service scheduling for computing and network convergence for IMT-2020 and beyond" 
• Q23: Y.FMSC-CNC "Fixed, mobile and satellite convergence - Computing and network convergence for IMT-2020 and beyond",

developed at July meeting and deferred for establishment to 14 November.

• Setting up the NSP ad-hoc
• Starting a new Question on coordination
• Preparations for JCA-ML operation 

In addition, Working Parties 1, 2 and 3/13 meetings will be convened on 25 November 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland in order to determine, give consent to the following draft Recommendations and agree on the Supplements, new work items and future plans:

    WP1/13:              

• ​Y.det-qos-reqts-lan “QoS requirements and framework for supporting deterministic communication services in local area network for IMT-2020 ​" (Q6/13),
• Y.IMT2020-fa-lg-lsn “Functional architecture for latency guarantee in large scale networks including IMT-2020 and beyond" (Q6/13),
• Y.ML-IMT2020-VNS “Framework for network slicing management enabled by machine learning including input from verticals" (Q20/13),
• Y.IMT2020-CEFEC “Framework of capability exposure function in edge computing for IMT-2020 networks and beyond" (Q20/13),
• Y.IMT2020-DN-CCF “Future networks including IMT-2020: capability classification framework for dedicated networks" (Q20/13),
• Y.IMT2020-SOCN-req-frame “Future networks including IMT-2020: requirements and framework for self-organizing core networks" (Q20/13),
• Y.NSL-fra “Framework for classifying network slice level in future networks including IMT-2020" (Q21/13),
• Y.DL-AINW-fra “Framework for high-level AI-based management communicating with external management systems" (Q21/13),
• Y.MNS-DLT-fr “Mobile network sharing based on distributed ledger technology for networks beyond IMT-2020: Requirements and framework​" (Q22/13),
• Y.SBN-TR “Service brokering network framework for Trusted Reality" (Q23/13),
• Y.FMSC-frame “Framework of fixed, mobile and satellite convergence in IMT-2020 network and beyond" (Q23/13),
• Y.FMSC-MM “Mobility Management for fixed mobile, NGSO-satellite convergence in IMT-2020 networks" (Q23/13) and
• Supplement 59 “IMT-2020 standardization roadmap" (Q21/13).

     WP2/13:

• Y.bDDN-NSMec “The mechanism of network service provisioning in bDDN" (Q7/13),
• Y.ec-reqts “Edge computing – Overview and requirements" (Q17/13),
• Y.cccnp-reqts “Cloud computing – Functional requirements of platform as a service for cloud native applications" (Q17/13),
• Y.ccrm “Cloud computing -  Framework of risk management" (Q19/13),
• Y.ccdm-reqts “Cloud computing – Framework and functional requirements of cloud data mobility management" (Q19/13),
• Y.bdp-arch “Big data - Functional architecture for data provenance" (Q18/13) and
• Supplement Y.sup.aisr “Artificial Intelligence Standardization Roadmap" (Q17/13).

SG13 plenary on 15 July 2022 gave the authorization to the WP2/13 meeting of 25 November 2022 to agree on new Supplement Y.sup.aisr “Artificial Intelligence Standards Roadmap".

    WP​3/13:

• Y.frd “Framework and requirements of network- oriented data integrity verification service based on blockchain in future network" (Q1/13),
• Y.NRS-DLT-reqts “Scenarios and requirements of network resource sharing based on distributed ledger technology" (Q2/13),
• Y.QKDN-iwrq “Quantum key distribution networks interworking - functional requirements" (Q16/13),
• Y.QKDN-ml-fra “Quantum key distribution networks - functional requirements and architecture to enable machine learning" (Q16/13) and
• Y.QKDN-rsfr “Quantum key distribution networks - resilience framework" (Q16/13).

Next meeting of SG 13 will take place in February – March 2023 as virtual event, if no invitation received to go outside Geneva.​