The setting up of a 'Joint Coordination Activity' on NGN (NGN-JCA) was one of the agreements at the WTSA-04 concerning the organisation of the NGN studies. Its purpose is to augment the lead study group role of Study Group 13 for NGN particularly between Study Groups 2, 11 and 13 but also including other study Groups involved in the NGN work such as Study Group 12 (NGN QoS) and Study Group 17 (Security).
The 'Joint Coordination Activity' is to be seen as an extension of the work planning and coordination activities of Study Group 13 with the management of the study groups working together in the development of the NGN plans, the planning and coordination of joint activities and in the taking of any special actions to ensure success of the ITU-T NGN work.
As part of the establishment of the ITU-T NGN Global Standards Initiative (NGN-GSI) the membership of the NGN-JCA has been extended to include other standards organizations involved with the ITU-T in the NGN work. Also an NGN-GSI Technical and Strategic Review (
TSR documentation) process has been set up. This will operate at every NGN-GSI event (Study Group meetings etc) and will bring to the NGN-JCA any issues requiring guidance or recommendations for action e.g. concerning work allocation.
The continuation of NGN-JCA was confirmed at the first NGN-JCA meeting in 2009 – 2012 Study Period with the following Terms of Reference (subsequently approved by TSAG April 2009 meeting):
Definition of NGN "a packet-based network able to provide telecommunication services and able to make use of multiple broadband, QoS-enabled transport technologies and in which service-related functions are independent from underlying transport-related technologies. It enables unfettered access for users to networks and to competing service providers and/or services of their choice. It supports generalized mobility which will allow consistent and ubiquitous provision of services to users."
Objectives - To identify and co-ordinate activity on NGN across all the relevant ITU-T Study Groups (currently ITU-T SGs 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17) and to liaise with ITU-R and ITU-D.
- To provide a visible contact point for NGN activities in ITU-T, to seek co-operation from external bodies working in the field of NGN and enable effective two-way communication with these bodies.
Working methods The membership of the NGN -JCA is comprised of all ITU-T SG Chairmen, all ITU-T SG Counsellors/Engineers, the TSAG Chairman and Counsellor, a number of SG Chairmen’s appointees and NGN contact persons in ITU-T Study Groups.
The NGN-JCA is working primarily by correspondence but can also meet in association with meetings of Study Group 13 where necessary. In addition urgent issues requiring attention can be flagged up at any time and the JCA can convene as appropriate to take action.
Specific tasks - Maintain a list of contacts for NGN in each Study Group.
- Maintain a list of designated contacts within the external NGN bodies.
- Co-ordinate with any proposed new and revised Questions in the NGN area.
