Global Standardization Activities

Next-generation IP Network Standardization andJapan’s Next Generation IP Network Promotion
Ichiro Inoue†
Abstract
ITU-T and other standardization groups are currently working to standardize NGN (Next GenerationNetworks). In Japan, the Next Generation IP Network Promotion Forum has been organized to address
this issue (IP: Internet protocol). Comprising academic, commercial, and government organizations, theforum is developing strategic proposals aimed at achieving standardization.

1. Introduction
ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union
Telecommunication Standardization Sector) andother standardization groups are currently working tostandardize NGN (Next Generation Networks). ITUT created a focus group (FGNGN), which led to a
global standardization initiative. IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) and other bodies have beenworking on specifications for NGN-related protocols,
which were incorporated into the first set of ITU-T
recommendations. In Japan, establishing fundamental technologies and leading the standardization
strategically are key factors in achieving the targetsof the e-Japan and u-Japan strategies, as well as keeping Japan’s competitiveness. Thus, focusing on
strategic areas and promoting activities is critical andrequires close collaboration among Japanese academic, commercial, and governmental organizations.
2. International standardization status
A large number of international bodies are working
to establish NGN standardization. In ETSI (EuropeanTelecommunication Standard Institute), mobile communications companies and groups (such as 3GPP)
are studying suitable technologies for both fixed andmobile communications, based on the IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) standard, which defines the IP† NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories
Musashino-shi, 180-8585 Japan
E-mail: Inoue.ichiro@lab.ntt.co.jp

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based control system (IP: Internet protocol). While
determining the IP for communication networks,
IMS furthermore utilizes SIP (session initiation protocol) from the de facto standardization body IETF.
In response to this, the international standardizationbody ITU-T, with the goal of establishing international NGN standards that will be applicable worldwide, established FGNGN in June 2004. This FG carried out concentrated studies through November
2005. As a result of vigorous debate among manygroups, companies, and countries (1166 participants,
1206 written contributions), it established a large
number of draft recommendations that stressed general NGN principles.
I T U - T R e c o m m e n d a t i o n Y. 2 0 0 1 ( G e n e r a l
Overview of NGN) defines NGN in the following
manner: With the aim of offering telecommunication
services, NGN is (1) “able to make use of multiple
broadband, QoS-enabled transport technologies”,(2) “a packet-based network”, and (3) its “servicerelated functions are independent from underlying
transport-related technologies”. Furthermore, (4) “itenables unfettered access for users to networks and tocompeting service providers”, and (5) “it supportsgeneralized mobility which will allow consistent andubiquitous provision of services to users” (numbersin parentheses are the author’s). Separation of services and transport can be the most important factor
for achieving items (1)–(3). With respect to the transport stratum that governs transmission functions, IPand other packet networks are being hypothesized,with needed broadband, QoS-enabled functions
being added to them (QoS: quality of service). A serNTT Technical Review

Global Standardization Activities

Service and capability

NGN release 3• RF-ID …

• UbiquitousNGN release 2• Entertainment• Home network …

• Streaming(*)• Multimedia• PSTN/ISDNemulation

Update of release 2
NGN release 1

Update of release 1

RF-ID: radio frequency identification

Fig. 1. ITU-T’s release plan for NGN.

vice stratum that can achieve a variety of control
functions for services such as telephony (basic andadditional services) and WWW data and video signaltransmission and stipulate the session control function common to them (based on the IETF SIP protocol) was the focus of initial studies. This modelallows flexible deployment of equipment, the independent development of new technologies, and awide variety of business formations.
Measures for achieving items (4) and (5) arepremised on architectures stipulated by the user-network interface (UNI), network-network interface(NNI), and application programming interfaces(APIs) that prescribe the boundaries between users
and NGN, NGN and terrestrial networks, and NGN
and applications and that prescribe functional architectures based on IMS.
3. Achievements of ITU-T (FGNGN) andJapan’s contributions
The FG’s studies included ones on NGN architecture, SIP server stipulations, methods for achievingQoS, PSTN/ISDN (public switched telephone network, integrated services digital network) evolution,and security. To accelerate the pace of research, subcommittees were established to cover each of sevenmajor topics. One sub-committee was jointly chaired
by Naotaka Morita of NTT (who is also serving asvice-chair for SG 13). The study results obtained,
along with the previously mentioned recommendations on architectures and general principles, werereleased en bloc for the step-by-step achievement ofservices and capabilities. Release 1 pertained to theadvanced studies of multimedia (realtime voice,Vol. 4 No. 8 Aug. 2006

image, multimedia meetings, data communications,etc.), PSTN/ISDN emulation and simulation, andother topics (e.g., VPN (virtual private network) andemergency communications), as shown in Fig. 1.
The FG concluded its studies in November 2005
and decided to convene a joint meeting of a numberof standing ITU-T study groups (SGs), working parties (WPs), and Questions* so that the study results
could be quickly presented as a recommendation inITU-T, which is referred to as the NGN-GSI (GlobalStandardization Initiative). This was done to accelerate studies of a control protocol method for Release 1and studies for Release 2 and later releases.
4. Studies of next-generation networks in JapanThe activities of the Next-generation Infrastructure
Research Group, spurred through the initiative of theMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications(MIAC), can be cited as one example of NGN studies
in Japan. This group, established in February 2004,
issued reports in three phases comprehensively dealing with R&D in Japan, the advancement of systems,conditions, and standardization, and the issues pertaining to them.
The Phase 3 report defined three key points: (1)with the major aim of ‘Taking the lead as the world’s
foremost ICT (information and communication technology) nation by the year 2010’ established as aprinciple of u-Japan policy, next-generation IP networks should be fully functional by 2010, and necessary surrounding preparations should be made well

* Question is a small group within an SG and WP.

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Global Standardization Activities

before 2010, (2) an action plan should be establishedand implemented to include the advancement of compatible interfaces, studies of system aspects, measures to achieve international standardization, and theadvancement of R&D, and (3) appropriate locations
should be established for discussions among concerned parties.
5. Next Generation IP Network Promotion
Forum
A voluntary group called the Next Generation IP
Network Promotion Forum was established in
December 2005, bringing together participating
members from academic, commercial, and government organizations. To address the issues describedin Fig. 2, the forum organized a committee to study
interoperability and technical conditions, anothercommittee to study means of promoting R&D andstandardization, and a third one to formulate public
relations and promotions. Of these, the R&D andstandardization committee is studying ways to coordinate strategies and measures to achieve furtheradvancements in technology with R&D that will
enable ITU-T and other bodies to contribute to medium- and long-term ITU-T standardization. Participants include research bodies, universities, entrepreneurs, and vendors. Professor Koichi Asatani ofKogakuin University is serving as its chair. Specificissues are being studied in a highly efficient mannerby a strategic studies working group (WG). This
group is led by Professor Asatani and has three subleaders, one person each from NTT, KDDI, andNICT.
The forum has been carrying out studies at a rapid
pace since its establishment and expects to issue its
first report in mid-2006. In conjunction with this, theR&D and standardization committee has also been
diligently pursuing studies on its selected topics—theadvancement of standardization and R&D—so that it
can report its initial study results on ways to achieve
such advancement.
ITU-T standardization in Japan is being supported
in many ways. The ITU-T section of MIAC’s infocommunications council deliberates and approves
standardization proposals to be submitted to ITU-T.
In addition, TTC (Telecommunication TechnologyCommittee), the body that sets Japanese telecommunications standards, is carrying out upstream activity
aimed at the efficient development of proposals forsubmission to ITU-T. This has included the establishment of a special committee to handle key topics. Its
members study related topics, exchange opinions,and prepare standardization proposals.
The forum’s R&D and standardization committee
is trying to identify medium- and long-range strategic
topics and developing ideas that will serve as thebasis for proposals. It is also studying measures toachieve further advances in technology and selecting
fundamental R&D topics required for this purpose.
6. Concluding remarks
In the midst of full-scale studies on NGN by ITU
and other organizations, a great many business activities have been carried out in Japan to achieve rapid

NGN Forum
President: Prof. Saito (the University of Tokyo)
VPs: Mr. Yamada (NTT), Mr. Itoh (KDDI)
Members: 211
Technical committee
Chair: Prof. Goto(Waseda University)

Interop WG
Leader: Mr. Nakano (KDDI)

R&D and standardizationcommittee
Chair: Prof. Asatani(Kogakuin University)

Strategy WG
Leader: Prof. Asatani(Kogakuin University)

Technical conditions WG
Leader: Mr. Awano (NTT)

Promotion committee
Chair: Mr. Matsushima (NICT)Fig. 2. Organization of the Next-generation IP Network Forum (as of Feb. 24, 2006).

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NTT Technical Review

Global Standardization Activities

development of NGN services and enhance Japan’scompetitive strength as the world leader in broadband
technology. Based on this background, the Next Generation IP Network Promotion Forum was established, at approximately the same time that the NGNGSI was instituted in ITU. It was determined that theforum should take the role of moving forward withstrategic medium- and long-term development of
next-generation networks. NTT intends to play animportant role in these activities and continue to contribute towards making NGN a reality in Japan.

Ichiro Inoue
Senior Research Engineer, Supervisor, NTT
Network Service System Laboratories.
He received the B.E. and M.E. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Tokyo,
Tokyo, in 1988 and 1990, respectively. He joined
NTT the same year. Since then, his researchinterests have included telecommunication protocols such as IP and ATM. He has been active instandardization such as ISO/ISC (as a nationalcommittee member), ITU-T, and IETF. He was avisiting researcher at Columbia University, USA,in 1995. He is a member of IEEE and the Instituteof Electronics, Information and Communication
Engineers. He is serving as a sub-leader of thestrategic studies WG of Japan’s Next Generation
IP Network Promotion Forum’s R&D and standardization committee.

References[1][2]

ITU-T Y.2001 Report.
Promotion Forum for Next-generation IP Networks: http://www3.
nict.go.jp/kk/e423/ipforum/Vol. 4 No. 8 Aug. 2006

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