Terms of Reference (ToR) for the FS-VDSL Focus Group

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1. Mandate

The mandate of the Focus Group is to create a set of technical specifications defining low cost, high capability end-to-end multimedia services based on VDSL access using the frequency band defined in Annex A of Recommendation G.993.1 (known as “Band 998”). These specifications will enable services to be quickly and economically deployed, and will enable consumers to benefit from competition. The full service includes a bundle of multimedia services including voice, video and data. The services within this bundle can be combined whenever needed.

The Focus Group shall comply with the requirements of ITU-T Recommendation A.7 “Working Methods and Procedures”. The parent ITU-T Study Group for the Focus Group shall be Study Group 16 "Multimedia services systems and terminals", see: http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/studygroups/com16.

2. Urgency

These specifications are required urgently to avoid the emergence of diverse incompatible solutions, which would cause confusion in the market place and increase costs to the user.

3. Working Methods

The working language will be English. The Focus Group will adopt the working methods specified in the “Statutes” of the FS-VDSL Committee, except as noted in this document to satisfy the requirements of ITU-T Rec. A.7.

The FS-VDSL Focus Group will work as much as possible using electronic means, thus avoiding paper reproduction. Use of local LANs and Internet access at the meeting is encouraged. The number of physical meetings of the group should be kept as a minimum, and the work should be progressed as much as possible using electronic facilities, e.g. audio conferences, email, virtual meetings, etc.

For easier future reference, and also considering that the FS-VDSL Focus Group will continue the work of the FS-VDSL Committee, contributions submitted to the FS-VDSL Focus Group will use the same numbering plan as defined for the FS-VDSL Committee. Document submission procedures, deadlines, etc can be seen at http://www.fs-vdsl.net/Forum/ForumFiles.htm?B1=Member#Upload.

Working documents of the FS-VDSL Focus Group will be maintained in a secure area of the FS-VDSL Committee Web Site (www.fs-vdsl.net), accessible only to FS-VDSL Focus Group members. Material deemed suitable for public distribution will be made available, as needed, in the public area of the Web Site. Documents available to the FS-VDSL Committee members will also be available to FS-VDSL Focus Group members.

Email reflectors, Web Site facilities, and FTP server supporting the work of the Focus Group will be continued under the facilities currently made available from the FS-VSDL Committee. Should these facilities be discontinued by the FS-VDSL Committee in the future, suitable arrangements will be made with the ITU TSB for continuation of the services under the public access area of the ITU TIES system (according to provisions in item 11 below).

4. Deliverables

The Focus Group will produce a set of technical specifications defining end-to-end multimedia services based on VDSL access, which will be called ITU-T FS-VDSL Focus Group Technical Specifications (FGTS). These specifications will be based on the current work of the FS-VDSL Forum. Further, the Focus Group will provide inputs to Study Group 16 to help progress the work programme of Questions B/16 (Multimedia architecture) and C/16 (Multimedia applications and services), as well as other questions, as appropriate.

The first goal of the Focus Group is to approve the FS-VDSL specifications as Focus Group technical specifications, at the latest by the time of Study Group 16 meeting in October 2002.

The specifications, as deliverables approved by the Focus Group, will be published and further considered for submission to Study Group 16 for the development of new/revised ITU-T Recommendations.

The Focus Group specifications will make use of existing work undertaken within the ITU-T and other SDOs (e.g. ISO/IEC, ETSI, ANSI T1) and other forums and consortia (e.g. DSL Forum and DVB) recognised under ITU-T Rec. A.5.

The Focus Group will provide the necessary support during the approval process of the related ITU-T Study Group 16 Recommendations and participate in the resolution of comments, if any.

5. Relationships

The Focus Group will have ITU-T SG16 as parent Study Group. Progress reports shall be submitted to ITU-T SG 16 at regular intervals summarizing the progress of the work.

The Focus Group will, in consultation with its parent Study Group, seek advice from ITU-T Study Group 15 for VDSL aspects and from Study Group 4 for operational and maintenance aspects of the FS-VDSL specifications. The Focus Group will also seek advice from other SDOs as required in consultation with its parent Study Group.

All Liaison statements to other ITU-T Study Groups, Working Parties, or Rapporteur Groups; and all Communication statements to other SDOs or regional bodies recognized under the procedures of ITU Rec. A.4, shall be agreed by the Focus Group and additionally by:

The next meeting of Study Group 16 if this has no impact on the timing of the liaison/communication, i.e. if SG16 meets prior to the next meeting of the recipient body; or
The SG16 Chairman and the TSB by correspondence (e.g. e-mail), in the case where the liaison/communication would be delayed by waiting for a meeting of SG16.

6. Focus Group Timescales (May 2002)

10 May 2002	Initiation of Focus Group agreed by the ITU-T FS-VDSL Focus Group Review Committee.
17 May 2002	Agreement to initiate the focus group is posted on the ITU-T Web Site, and the study group membership and other study group chairmen notified by e-mail. The Focus Group may proceed.
22-24 May 2002	Planning meeting of the Focus Group meeting held during the meeting of the FS-VDSL Forum (Oslo, Norway). Draft working methods document prepared.
May-Sep 2002	Progression of the technical work by the FS-VDSL working groups
4-6 September 2002	First meeting of the Focus Group. Focus Group working methods approved. FS-VDSL documents approved as Focus Group Technical Specifications Focus Group reviews future work: Revisions to specifications New specifications Expected ITU-T Recommendations Focus Group agrees on how to progress work on Recommendations
15-25 October 2002	Full meeting of SG16. SG16 approves the establishment of the Focus Group. Focus Group submits progress report (including its Technical Specifications) to SG 16. No meeting of the Focus Group.
4-6 December 2002	Interim meeting of the Focus Group Draft Recommendations progressed
5-7 March 2003	Interim meeting of the Focus Group Draft Recommendation prepared and submitted to ITU-T SG 16 as white contribution
May/June 2003	Focus Group meets in conjunction with the full meeting of SG16. Recommendations based on the FS-VDSL specifications proposed for Consent (1^st stage of approval process).

7. Membership

Participation in the Focus Group open to any individual from a country that is a member of ITU who wishes to contribute to the work. This includes individuals who are also members of international, regional and national organisations. Any current FS-VDSL Committee member is automatically eligible to participate in the work of the FS-VDSL Focus Group, provided that the restriction above is met.

As the funding and administration of Focus Group membership will be handled by the FS-VDSL Committee participation in the Focus Group requires membership of the FS-VDSL committee. A list of participants will be maintained for reference purposes. Focus Group membership does not confer any ITU membership privileges.

8. Leadership

The Focus Group shall initially have a Chairman and Vice-chairman. Prior to the meeting of Study Group 16 in October 2002, these were appointed by the Focus Group Review Committee as Mr Don Clarke (Chief Technical Officer of the FS-VDSL Committee) and Mr John Magill* (Vice-chairman, ITU‑T SG 16).

The Working Group structure of the FS-VDSL Committee will be adopted by the FS-VDSL Focus Group, the current chairmen and editors serving in the same function.

* Note: Mr. John Magill passed away in early August 2003.

9. Promotion and Publication

The Focus Group will undertake promotion activities in consultation with Study Group 16 and the TSB.

The FS-VDSL Focus Group will publish its specifications in electronic format only with free public access through the FS-VDSL Committee Web Site and the ITU-T Web Site. The FS-VDSL Committee WEB site will also be used for posting white papers and other informational and promotional material related to FS-VDSL. Cross-links between this Web Site and ITU-T’s Web Site will be established.

10. IPR Policy

The ITU-T patent policy shall be used. The ITU-T patent policy is available in the ITU-T Web Site at http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/dbase/patent/patent-policy.html.

11. Financing and transfer of assets

Funding for the FS-VDSL Focus Group activities will be provided and administered by the FS-VDSL Committee. No financial liability of the FS-VDSL Committee shall be transmittable to the ITU-T by virtue of the establishment and operation of the FS-VDSL Focus Group.

FS-VDSL Focus Group activities requiring substantial support from the ITU-T (meeting facilities, web facilities, publications) should be financially subsidised by the FS-VDSL Committee in the form of a so-called “Voluntary Contribution” to the ITU-T for this specific purpose, and in the value deemed as appropriate for rendering similar services from a commercially available entity.

No other transfer of assets from the FS-VDSL Committee to the ITU-T is expected.