Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

1. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India “NGN Implementations and Implications” Delhi- India.25th -26th August 2011 “NGN- Implementation Issues in India” By Satish. D. Alandkar BE. MBS. (MARKETING). MBS (HRM). (Sub-Divisional Engineer) BSNL PUNE Maharashtra - INDIA

2. Core policy areas 1. Next Generation Network 2. Convergence, interconnection in NGN 3. Implementation Issues in NGN 4. Challenges in NGN 5. NGN Implementations Difficulties in India 6. NGN Implementation Results 7. Conclusion

3. 1. Next Generation Network Transformation from circuit-based public switched telecommunication networks to packet-based networks using the Internet Protocol, so-called next generation networks (NGN). It enables access for users to networks and to competing service providers and/or services of their choice. NGN Features: • Conversed services, one network all services. • High flexibility at all functional levels. • NGN have horizontally integrated control layers with . Simultaneous delivery of applications. • Reduction in Capital costs and operational costs. • Reduced time to roll out new services.

4. 2. Convergence and Interconnection in NGN: • NGN Convergence will be: 1. Network convergence: Fixed-mobile convergence   2. Service convergence: One network multiple services   3. Industry/market convergence: Brings together the same field industries.   4. Converged user experience: Unique interface between end- users and services. • The service, transport and control layers technically and commercially separated and provided by different market players. • Interconnection is possible at all functional levels in a reasonable manner in order to ensure overall service interoperability.

5. 3. Implementation Issues in NGN • Services convergence issues • Migration issues • Service interoperability.   • Service Bundling, Pricing, Charging and issues. • Service Quality and Security issues.  • Technical issues. • Network Management issues. • Infrastructure related issues. • Issues related with Investment in NGN.

6. 4. NGN Challenges • NGN convergence leads to strengthening of market power. • NGN convergence reduces competition. • Converged services make it difficult to assess market power. • Bundling of services. • Traffic management in NGN. • Management of services and Interconnection. • Numbering, addressing and number portability. • Interconnections of different Network topologies. • Smooth migration to NGN . • Cost management, higher costs involved in migration process. • Changed role of service providers and their responsibilities. • Billing and accounting in NGN. • Quality of Service. • Network Security.

7. 5. NGN Implementations Issues and Difficulties in Management in India

8. 5.1 Interconnection Issues • Issue ** In NGN network more reliable and guaranteed service level for better approach of transmitting data packets is required for multi-media and real time NGN services. Regulatory Authority should plan for: • Better technological convergence. • Interconnection with standard interfaces. • Review interconnection issues. • Set certain QoS standards. • Ensure the continuity of regulated interconnection services. • Plan for development of conflict resolution mechanisms. • Avoid changes of interconnection services, the Points of Interconnection.

9. 5.2 Competition in NGN: • Issue ** Due to Convergence only the big players (Vodafone, AirTel, BSNL, RIL, Tata Indicom) can provide combined services will have their monopoly and no competition in NGN. • Regulator has to see that market power will not disappear in an NGN. Competition among all operators (small or big like Uninor, YOU Telecom, Sify, Hathway or any or new entrants) must be maintained it could be possible with: • Allowing number of operators to invest in NGN at all levels. • Charging minimum entry fees. • Incentives to attract new entrants. • USO funding

10. 5.3 Co-ordination in NGN • Issue ** Number of operators will be involved in network providing different services as PSTN, WLL, GSM, Broadband, Data Services: 1. Vodafone and AirTel (Mobile-GSM, Broadband-2G/3G) 2. Rel-Com ( Mobile-GSM/CDMA, Broadband-1G/2G/3G, Data), 3. BSNL ( PSTN-Wired, Mobile-GSM/CDMA, Broadband- Wired and Wireless 2G/3G, Data Services), 4. Tata IndiCom ( PSTN-wired & Wireless CDMA, Mobile-GSM, Broadband-Wireless). 5. Sify, You Telecom, Hathway (Broadband-Wireless).  • Regulatory Authority has to maintain the co-ordination among service providers, Various services, Investors and Government in order to maintain Quality of services and smooth functioning at all functional levels. 

11. 5.4 Bundling issues in NGN

12. 5.5 Call Charging in NGN • Issue ** Unique network for all services, separate functional layers. • Service operators involved in the network at all levels with combined services. There may be sharing of infrastructures among several operators so that charging is critical issue. • Existing charging principles/ costing model on interconnection is on the basis of network resources involved in passing the traffic /delivery of service to end users. • All types of traffic in IP packets are delivered in different paths in NGN there may be a need to review the existing costing methodology and charging. • Planning for Call charging, routing of calls, Point of Intersection, at different levels is required. • Access emergency services, free of charge, from any telephone as a welfare issue. This facility should be planned in the NGN network.

13. 5.6 Cost issues in NGN network • Issue ** Migration to NGN involves very high costs: • Convergence of services (Voice, Data, and Internet), Technological convergence (Wired-PSTN, Wireless-GSM, CDMA, TDMA, Wi-Fi, Wi-MaX ) • Higher costs are involved in migration process than operation –will be managed through Incentives. • Cost reduction with selection of suitable fiber network topology (requirements and points of interconnection may differ which help in reducing infrastructure costs). • There should be balance of competition and investment by entry at all levels.

14. 5.7 Spectrum Management and Allocation • Issue ** There is need of allotment of additional spectrum to provide quality services in NGN to match national /international standard. • In India most of the service providers providing services on wireless (Voice, Mobile, Broadband and Data Services, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, HDTV, mobile TV or 3G services). • At present additional spectrum allotment is a must to provide quality services which is critical issue raised in India. • Proper criteria should be adopted for allotment, based on service provider’s subscriber base, investment proportions, fixed assets and revenues. • Whether allotment of spectrum to new operator will be there? • There is a need for reframing of spectrum resources and more flexible spectrum allocation.

15. 5.8 Infrastructure sharing Issue • Issue ** NGN is having open Structure, separated functional layers one can join at any level and share the infrastructure. • There should be open tender for spectrum so that every small player will have equal chance to share the network. • Interconnection models will be needed to address new architectures based on new parameters other than traditional ones. • Who gets paid for what when an operator shares its network with third party service providers.

16. 5.9 Infrastructure Development • Issue ** For better implementation of NGN, high quality infrastructure evenly distributed geographically is a must. • Indian operators providing services (Voice, Data, Mobile, and Internet) but quality of the service is not up to the mark due to poor infrastructure. It is due following difficulties: 1. Limited number of own towers. 2.Tower height restrictions at certain areas. 3. Huge cost involved in tower installations. 4. Delay in permissions from the local authorities. • Unbundling discourage new infrastructural investment. In present situation better infrastructure is possible by unbundling (sharing) towers, OF cables, ducts. Which is mostly avoided by big players In India . • Other than wireless media the only media which can support the quality services in NGN network is Optical fiber cable which is limited up to in-between Telephone Exchanges and equipments only.

17. Infrastructure Development : Cont . . . . • We should plan for optical fiber infrastructure network (FTTH / FTTB) at National, Metro, District and Talula levels to support NGN. It will be difficult due to: 1. Local authorities not permitting to lay new cables. 2. Heavy reinstatement charges. 3. Heavy cost are involved. 4. Political pressures from local corporator’s. • Regulatory Authority along with Service Providers, Government bodies, Investors should plan for growth in OF network which is possible with: 1. Sharing of existing ducts, pipes along roads. 2. The reinstatement charges should be minimum. 3. FTTH/FTTB investment should be promoted with . incentives. 4. Plan for USO funding. • Wireless based Wi-fi, Wi-Max and GSM technologies should be planned with incentive schemes where the optical network is not possible/available to cover scattered areas.

18. 5.10 Quality of Services in NGN • Issue ** NGN have different functional layers, levels, service operators and converged Services (one network will give all services PSTN, Mobile, Broadband, Data services (Voice, Internet, Data) . QoS is very important. • The standards of Quality of Services should be fixed which will include different parameters to ensure end-to-end quality of service within networks or perceived by the customer. Minimum Quality parameters should be defined. • Proper Quality management control systems should be there to analyze quality requirements and appropriate measuring procedure to ensure Qos. 1. Need to define Quality of services parameters in NGN .2. Monitoring QoS at all levels of networks 3. Ensuring End to End QoS across the networks 4. Reliability of services. 5. Applications need more bandwidth. 6. Needs additional spectrum allotment.

19. 5.11 Security in NGN Network • Issue ** The greater capacity is available at the edges of the network in NGN, how to guarantee security? Management of security issues in NGN environment a critical one: • The Risk and threats in NGN may be due to: 1. External or internal attack on the NGN network. (end point equipments, multilayered architecture, cyber visitors. ) 2. Loss of information. 3. Transmission of viruses and malware. 4. Un trusted equipments used in the network. 5. Duplication of data. 6. Unauthorized Access to system information. • Regulatory Authority should plan for: 1. Needs appropriate levels of assurance from operators. 2. Manage security independently at respective levels of architecture. 3. Due care will be taken while making regulations for cybercrime. 4. Identity Management should be maintained throughout the network 5. Protect from various, internal and external attacks.

20. 5.12 Return on Investment and NGN • Regulatory Authority should plan for: • Risks to be minimized in NGN. • Reduce uncertainty about NGN business allowing shearing of infrastructure. • Plan for incentives to invest and to maintain competition. • Guarantee the competition of the networks and services. Also plan for: 1. Pricing and Billing-Flat pricing or based on investment. 2. Number Portability-Not complex but smooth switching. 3. USO funding ( for PSTN Only, now for Broadband too ) 4. Protect Consumer Interests and welfare. 5. Numbering- (Normal Way-County code + Local No.) 6. Addressing- Domain Name System (DNS) may be used . to translate domain name to IP address for packet . transmission widely used in IP world. 7. Tariff Management-Plan so that no congestion.

21. 6. NGN Implementation Results

22. 6.1 NGN Implementations and Service Providers: • Unique Market structure. • Entry at all layers, levels. • Enhanced Efficiency of Service Providers. • Uncertainty among competitors • Automatic network monitoring and fault management. • Bundling offerings more popular in the present market. • Loss to Mobile operator’s : loose cash stream from fixed operators • Network maintenance savings. • Each network operator will potentially choose a different migration path depending on their actual assets and technologies.

23. 6.2 Customers/ Users and NGN Implementations: • Improved Quality of services. • Advance Technology. • Reduction of activation time. • Full cost transparency. • Flexible and simple pricing. • New price strategies bundling offerings benefits. • Improve overall customer experience.

24. 6.3 NGN Development at National level: • Infrastructure development. • Improved National Standards. • Increased reliability & quality of Service. • Increased competition. • Revenue growth, Market share growth in communication. • Reduced Capital and Operational Expenditure.

25. 7. Conclusion: • NGN still in preliminary stage in India. • NGN is technological revolution. • NGN changes traditional face of telecommunication sector in India. • NGN creates incentives to invest for both new entrants and existing operators. • NGN is still seen as risky investment. • Now a days most of investment will be done by Existing big players. • The NGN evolution will increase the competition.

26. THANK YOUIf any questions please…….Welcome !!! Alandkar Satish D. email: alandkarsatish@gmail.com Mobile: +91 09423035353