IP Interconnection
Background
As operators deploy IP networks the need arises to interconnect them to enable services to be carried from end to end across multiple operator networks in order to meet customer needs. At this stage we can only imagine the kinds of services making use of that capability that Telecom and other service providers will develop and introduce into the market, but what we do know is that interconnection is an essential part of that future landscape. Interconnection is a reciprocal relationship and in most cases both parties to an interconnection need it to enable them to offer complete services to their end users – for example, the ability to make calls to, and to be called from, customers on any other network.
IP Interconnection Working Party
A new IP Interconnect working party has been established to develop an industry code of practice for IP Interconnection and to facilitate the consultation process between Telecom and Service Providers in regard to the approach of IP interconnection services. The consultation will cover, at a minimum, the process for transitioning from fixed PSTN interconnection for voice services to IP interconnection for voice services and the introduction of IP interconnection for virtual private network services.
As part of the establishment of the new IP Interconnect working party an Independent Chair of the IP Interconnection working party will be appointed. The Independent Chair may also be asked to act for other Next Generation Network (NGN) related activities which are outlined in the NGN Study TOR.
The working party members are:
- CallPlus
- Orcon/Kordia
- Telecom (including Gen-i and Telecom Wholesale)
- TelstraClear
- TrustPower
- Vodafone
- WorldxChange
- Commerce Commission
- MED
Project Scope
The IP Interconnect working party will produce the following deliverables:
- an interim report to the TCF’s Board - (date to be determined)
- a final report to the TCF’s Board by 30 June 2009
- code of practice (date to be determined)
Click here for a copy of the project scope.
Consultation
Consultation will be required to deal with the exchange of service level traffic between a Service Provider’s NGN and Telecom’s NGN for the purpose of ensuring service completion for IP-based services.
As part of this consultation the following matters will need to be covered:
- the approach to Service IP Interconnection between Service Provider’s NGN networks and Telecom’s NGN network for conversational IP voice services which originate in one party’s network and terminate in another’s, including the development of an IP Interconnection for Voice Service ;
- whether it is appropriate for additional elements of Service IP Interconnection for conversational IP voice services to be made a Relevant Wholesale Service under the Undertakings and, if so, how the Arm’s Length Rules in the Undertakings should be applied to that additional Relevant Wholesale Service;
- the process for transitioning from service level Fixed PSTN interconnection for voice services to Service IP Interconnection for voice services including the possible use of interim service level Fixed PSTN to IP NGN interconnection arrangements;
- the introduction of Service IP Interconnection between Service Provider’s NGN networks and Telecom’s NGN network for the linking of End Users’ virtual private networks including the development of an IP Interconnection for Virtual Private Networks Service ; and
- whether it is appropriate for additional elements of Service IP Interconnection for the linking of End Users’ virtual private networks to be made a Relevant Wholesale Service and, if so, how the Arm’s Length Rules should be applied to that additional Relevant Wholesale Service.
For each of these services discussions will include:
- service definitions;
- commercial model;
- technical standards;
- operational standards; and
- timetable for service introduction.
Reference Documents
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