Executive Summary of the SG11 meeting (Geneva, 10-20 October 2023)
ITU-T Study Group 11 “Signalling requirements, protocols, test specifications and combating counterfeit telecommunication/ICT devices” meeting was held in Geneva from 10 to 20 October 2023 and was attended by 190 delegates from 42 countries.
The webcast and real-time streaming services were provided for the study group 11 opening and closing plenary sessions, i.e., remote participants were able to listen but not to speak. All other sessions were supported by
ITU MyMeetings remote participation tool.
Interpretation was provided in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic at the closing plenary, which was supported by Zoom remote participation tool. The remote participation guideline was available on the ITU-T SG11 webpage for
Delegates and
Moderators. Additional remote participation guidance is contained in
SG11-TD599/GEN.
Parallel events:
1 Draft Recommendations for (TAP) Determination (Resolution 1)
None at this meeting.
2 Consented Recommendations (ITU-T A.8)
The following table shows the “Consented” draft Recommendations (based on
SG11-TD606/GEN).
|
# |
Q |
WP |
Draft new/revised
Rec. No. |
Title |
Final TD |
A.5 justification |
1.
| 2/11
| WP1/11
| ITU-T Q.4160 (ex. Q.QKDN_profr)
| Quantum key distribution networks – Protocol framework
|
SG11-TD716/GEN
| -
|
2.
| 2/11
|
WP1/11 | ITU-T Q.4161 (ex. Q.QKDN_Ak) | Protocols for Ak interface for quantum key distribution network |
SG11-TD717/GEN | -
|
3.
| 2/11
| WP1/11
| ITU-T Q.4162 (ex. Q.QKDN_Kq-1)
|
Protocols for Kq-1 interface for quantum key distribution network
|
SG11-TD718/GEN | - |
4.
| 2/11
|
WP1/11
| ITU-T Q.4163
(ex. Q.QKDN_Kx)
| Protocols for Kx interface for quantum key distribution network
|
SG11-TD719/GEN | -
|
5.
| 2/11
| WP1/11
| ITU-T Q.4164
(ex. Q.QKDN_Ck)
| Protocols for Ck interface for quantum key distribution network
| SG11-TD712/GEN
| -
|
6
| 2/11
|
WP1/11 | Amendment 7 to ITU-T Q.763 | Signalling System No. 7 – ISDN User Part formats and codes.
Amendment 7: Extensions for the support for the calling line identification authentication.
|
SG11-TD724/GEN | -
|
7
| 2/11
| WP1/11
| Amendment 2 to ITU-T Q.931 | ISDN user-network interface layer 3 specification for basic call control. Amendment 2: Extensions for the support for the calling line identification authentication.
| SG11-TD725/GEN
| -
|
8
| 2/11
| WP1/11
| Amendment 6 to Q.1902.3 | Bearer Independent Call Control protocol (Capability Set 2) and Signalling System No. 7 ISDN User Part: Formats and codes. Amendment 6: Extensions for the support for the calling line identification authentication.
| SG11-TD726/GEN
| -
|
9
|
5/11 | WP1/11
| ITU-T Q.4141 (ex. Q.BNG-INC)
| Requirements and signalling of intelligence control for the border network gateway in computing power network |
SG11-TD675-R1/GEN
| -
|
10
| 7/11
| WP2/11
| ITU-T Q.5007 (ex. Q.IEC-PRO)
| Signalling architecture for microservices based intelligent edge computing | SG11-TD738-R1/GEN
| -
|
11
|
7/11 |
WP2/11 | ITU-T Q.5008
(ex. Q.AIS-SRA)
| Signalling requirements and architecture to support AI based vertical services in future network, IMT2020 and beyond
| SG11-TD737/GEN
| -
|
12
| 7/11
| WP2/11
| ITU-T Q.5028 (ex. Q.IEC-SAINF)
| Data management interfaces for intelligent edge computing-based smart agriculture service |
SG11-TD739/GEN |
SG11-TD658/GEN
|
13
| 12/11
|
WP3/11 | ITU-T Q.4071
(ex. Q.UHD-T)
| The testing of 3D ultra-high density IoT networks
|
SG11-TD721-R1/GEN
| -
|
14
| 13/11
| WP3/11
| ITU-T Q.3962
(ex. Q.joint.tr)
| Requirements and Reference Model for optimized traceroute of joint Internet Protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching | SG11-TD747/GEN
| - |
15
| 14/11
|
WP3/11 | ITU-T Q.4045 (ex. Q.N-att-framework)
| Framework of network function virtualization automated testing
| SG11-TD706/GEN
| -
|
3 Supplements, Handbooks, Technical Papers, Guidelines and Corrigenda
3.1
Supplements
The following table shows the draft
Supplement agreed by the SG11 meeting (based on SG11-TD606/GEN).
Q
|
WI
| Title
|
Final TD
|
15/11
| ITU-T Q Suppl.76 (ex. Q.Sup.CEIR-EIR-int)
| Common approaches and interfaces for data exchange between CEIR and EIR
|
SG11-TD757/GEN
|
3.2
Guidelines
No Guidelines were agreed at this meeting.
3.3 Handbooks
No Handbooks were agreed at this meeting.
3.4 Technical Papers / Technical Reports
The following table shows the draft Technical Report agreed by the SG11 meeting (based on
SG11-TD606/GEN).
Q
|
WI
| Title
|
Final TD
|
17/11
| ITU-T QSTR-MCM-UC (ex. TR-MCM-Use-Cases)
| Use Cases on the combat of Multimedia Content Misappropriation
|
SG11-TD763/GEN
|
3.5 Corrigendas
No Corrigendas were agreed at this meeting.
4 Recommendations/Technical reports/Supplements deleted
No Recommendations/Technical Reports/Supplements were deleted at this meeting.
5 SG11 Structure, Management and Rapporteurs
The cureent ITU-T SG11 Management is as follow:
SG11 Chair: Ritu Ranjan MITTAR (Ministry of Communications, India)
Vice-chairs:
- Uwe BAEDER (Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Germany)
- Ibrahim BALA (Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority, Sudan)
- Juan Matias CATTANEO (Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones, ENACOM)
- Namseok KO (ETRI, Korea, Rep. of)
- Karim LOUKIL (Tunisian Administration, CERT, Tunisia)
- Arezu OROJLU (Communications Regulatory Authority, CRA)
- Kofi Ntim YEBOAH-KORDIEH (National Communications Authority, Ghana)
- João Alexandre Moncaio ZANON (Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency, ANATEL)
- Xiaojie ZHU (China Telecommunications Corporation, China)
Note: according to “resolve 7” of Resolution 208 (PP-22), it is noted that Juan Matias CATTANEO (Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones, ENACOM), Arezu OROJLU (Communications Regulatory Authority, CRA) and Ibrahim BALA (Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority, Sudan) did not attend the meeting.
SG11 appointed Biren KARMAKAR (C-DOT, India) as Associate rapporteur of Q17/11.
There were no changes to the structure of ITU-T SG11.
The current structure of ITU-T SG11, including acting Rapporteurs appointed for this particular meeting is available in
SG11-TD594-R1/GEN.
6 Questions
There were no changes to the Questions texts at this meeting.
7 Liaison officers and Rapporteurs
There were no changes to the list of Liaison Officers at this meeting. The current list can be found in
SG11-TD595/GEN.
8 Conformity Assessment Steering Committee
The sixteenth meeting of the ITU-T Conformity Assessment Steering Committee (CASC) was held in Geneva on 12 October 2023 during the ITU-T SG11 meeting. TSB gave a comprehensive presentation about the current status of the ITU Testing Laboratories database (
TD609/GEN). It was highlighted that since May 2023, some TLs, which are listed in the database, provided updates regarding their scope of accreditation and its validity. The database was updated accordingly. Also, it was noted that ITU registered GPON ONT end-device (category: optical fiber equipment) in Product Conformity Database (
https://itu.int/go/tcdb). It was tested by Potin (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd (laboratory ID CNAS L14624) registered in ITU TL Database.
The participants were informed about the
ITU Tutorial on Testing Laboratories recognition procedure which was organized back-to-back with CASC meeting on 12 October 2023. The tutorial was aimed at guiding all stakeholders on Testing Laboratories recognition procedure established by ITU, its benefits and all logistical details needed for submitting applications.
Following discussion at the CASC meeting, and according to the criteria and procedure defined in cl.9.1 of
ITU-T Guideline “ITU-T CASC procedure to appoint ITU-T technical experts” (2019), CASC accepted two candidates appointed by ITU-T SG5 as ITU-T technical experts on particular ITU-T Recommendations as requested.
The list of ITU-T Technical experts is updated accordingly (see Annex in CASC report). It is also posted on the CASC webpage at:
https://itu.int/go/casc.
9 Signalling and protocols, including IMT-2020, CPN and P2P communications related issues
ITU-T SG11 consented one Recommendation on Computing Power Network (CPN) — ITU-T Q.4141 (ex. Q.BNG-INC): Requirements and signalling of intelligence control for the border network gateway in computing power network.
ITU-T SG11 advanced 26 ongoing work items and agreed to initiate six new work items on signalling and protocols-related aspects.
Among new work items started at this particular meeting are:
- Q.CPN-RM-SA: Signalling architecture of resource management function for CPN;
- Q.RMP-Fc: Routing microservices protocol for fog computing segment;
- Q.SARO: Signalling requirements for acceleration resources orchestration in multi-access edge computing;
- Q.SFCO: Signalling requirements and data models for service function chaining orchestration based on SRv6;
- Q.sup.sdwan-srv6: Implementation of SD-WAN service based on SRv6;
- Q.Suppl.Inter-SDWAN: Signalling requirements for inter-domain SD-WAN service.
With regard to IMT-2020 related aspects, ITU-T SG11 consented the following draft Recommendations:
- ITU-T Q.5007 (ex. Q.IEC-PRO) “Signalling architecture for microservices based intelligent edge computing”;
ITU-T Q.5008 (ex. Q.AIS-SRA) “Signalling requirements and architecture to support AI based vertical services in future network, IMT2020 and beyond”;
ITU-T Q.5028 (ex. Q.IEC-SAINF) “Data management interfaces for intelligent edge computing-based smart agriculture service”.
Also, ITU-T SG11 started two IMT-2020-related new work items and one P2P-related new work items, as follows:
Q.IEC-DTINF: Data management interfaces in digital twin smart aquaculture system with intelligent edge computing;
Q.MEC-FED: Signalling requirements and protocols for broker of multi-access edge computing;
X.mp2p-srdtf: Managed P2P communications: Signalling requirements for digital twin federation.
10 QKDN protocols
ITU-T SG11 consneted five new Recommendations which define requirements for QKDN protocols, as follows:
Following this result, ITU-T SG11 agreed to set up a new Q.subseries for new ITU-T Recommendations which deal with signalling aspects of QKDN: Q.4160-Q.4179: Protocols and signalling for Quantum key distribution networks.
Also, as a continuation of this study, ITU-T SG11 started a new work item Q.QKDNi_KM “Protocols for interfaces between key managers for quantum key distribution network interworking”.
11 Signalling security
Since 2016, ITU-T SG11 continues its studies on implementation of security measures on signalling level in order to cope with different types of attacks on existing ICT infrastructure and services (e.g. OTP intercept, calls intercept, spoofing numbers, robocalls, etc.).
Among the solutions to be implemented against such attacks is the use of digital signature (digital certificates) in the signalling exchange which may guarantee the trustworthiness of the sender.
In 2020 and further in 2022, ITU-T SG11 developed three key standards which define the way on how digital certificate can be inserted into signalling exchange (ITU-T Q.3057, Q.3062 and Q.3063).
During this meeting, ITU-T SG11 consented three amendments which define extensions in SS7 and BICC signalling to support the calling line identification authentication in line with approach defined in ITU-T Q.3063. Among consented Amendments are:
-
Draft Amendment 7 to ITU-T Q.763: Signalling System No. 7 – ISDN User Part formats and codes. Amendment 7: Extensions for the support for the calling line identification authentication;
- Draft Amendment 2 to ITU-T Q.931: ISDN user-network interface layer 3 specification for basic call control. Amendment 2: Extensions for the support for the calling line identification authentication;
- Draft Amendment 6 to Q.1902.3: Bearer Independent Call Control protocol (Capability Set 2) and Signalling System No. 7 ISDN User Part: Formats and codes. Amendment 6: Extensions for the support for the calling line identification authentication.
Also, based on received contributions, ITU-T SG11 advanced the ongoing work item Q.TSCA “Procedure for issuing digital certificates for signalling security”. It became a fourth part of the ITU-T SG11 standards related to signalling security (ITU-T Q.3057, ITU-T Q.3062 and ITU-T Q.3063).
Finally, ITU-T SG11 started a new work item Q.DMSA “Principles for detection and mitigation of signalling attacks in security signalling gateways”.
ITU-T SG11 continues close collaboration with ITU-T SG17 and ITU-T SG2 on this subject matter.
All ITU-T SG11 results and related events (workshops, webinars) on signalling security are available on dedicated web page at:
https://itu.int/go/SIG-SECURITY.
ITU-T SG11 consented new Recommendation ITU-T Q.4071 (ex. Q.UHD-T) “The testing of 3D ultra-high density IoT networks” and advanced one ongoing work item which deals with the testing of the robotics on the model network (Q.TSN).
13 Testing and monitoring specifications
ITU-T SG11 consented three new Recommendations related to testing and monitoring specifications, as follows:
- ITU-T Q.3962 (ex. Q.joint.tr): Requirements and Reference Model for optimized traceroute of joint Internet Protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching;
- ITU-T Q.4045 (ex. Q.N-att-framework): Framework of network function virtualization automated testing;
- ITU-T Q.4046 (ex. Q.BaaS-iop-reqts): Interoperability testing requirements of blockchain as a service.
ITU-T SG11 advanced 15 ongoing work items and started two new work items, as follows:
Q.MFDC: Requirements and reference model for monitoring of federated data cooperation service in multi-access edge computing in Future Network;
Q.FSDNT: Test framework for SDN multi-controller inter-networking using communication segment.
14 Combating counterfeit telecommunication/ICT devices/software and mobile device theft
Following the first Episode on ITU webinars series on combating counterfeiting and stolen ICT devices started in 2023, ITU organized second Episode “Global approaches on combating counterfeiting of telecommunication/ICT devices and mobile device theft” which took place in Geneva, on 13 October 2023 during ITU-T SG11 meeting.
The meeting was attended by 114 participants (45 in person) from 45 countries. Among panellists were representatives of WIPO, WTO, OECD, Anatel (Brazil), SC.Soft (Kazakhstan), Robi (Bangladesh), URSEC (Uruguay), Scancom PLC, MTN (Ghana), Technokratik Corporation (US), NCA (Ghana), C-DOT (India), GSMA, UCC (Uganda), ITU-T SG11 VC/WP4/11 Chair and vice-rapporteur of Q4/2 of ITU-D SG2.
Among the key takeaways was a proposal to strengthen collaboration among ITU, WIPO, WTO, OECD and other international organizations on addressing these crucial matters. As a first step forward, ITU-T SG11 agreed to send liaison statements to these organizations in order to inform them about achieved outcomes and particular work under study.
Also, ITU-T SG11 agreed one Supplement and one Technical report as follows:
- Q Suppl.76 (ex. Q.Sup.CEIR-EIR-int): Common approaches and interfaces for data exchange between CEIR and EIR;
- QSTR-MCM-UC (ex. TR-MCM-Use-Cases): Use Cases on the combat of Multimedia Content Misappropriation.
Following the updates made in the draft Supplement ITU-T Q.Supplement.75-Rev: Use cases on the combat of counterfeit ICT stolen mobile devices, ITU-T SG11 agreed to request TSB to issue a circular inviting ITU Members to provide relevant updates to the use cases on the combat of counterfeit and/or stolen ICT devices, including implementation of Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).
ITU-T SG11 advanced eight ongoing work items and started a new work item Q.GIR which will define technical requirement and implementation strategy for Global International Mobile Equipment Identity Registry.
15 Preparation for WTSA-24
ITU-T SG11 continues preparation to WTSA. During this particular meeting ITU-T SG11 updated most of its current questions texts. Finally, as of October 2023, ITU-T SG11 achieved the following progress:
Revised Questions’ texts for A/11 (1/11), B/11 (2/11), C/11 (3/11), D/11 (4/11), E/11 (5/11), F/11 (6/11), G/11 (7/11), H/11 (8/11); I/11 (12/11); J/11 (13/11), K/11 (14/11), L/11 (15/11) and N/11 (17/11);
Note: The ToR of Questions M/11 (16/11) was not discussed at this particular meeting due to lack of proposals.
Updated SG11 title, mandate, points of guidance and lead SG roles (updates to Resolution 2 of WTSA-20).
Note: there were no additional updates since May 2023.
The updated Questions texts for next study period as well as proposed changes for the ITU-T SG11 mandate and lead roles are available in
SG11-TD612-R1/GEN and
SG11-TD263/GEN.
Also, ITU-T SG11 reviewed the contribution
SG11-C344 which proposes to add some topics as a part of studies across few Questions for the next study period. ITU-T SG11 agreed to send a LS to ITU-T SG13 seeking their clarification on the progress and future plan on the relevant technology areas.
ITU-T SG11 planned to arrange interim
NSP-WTSA sessions. The first one will be held virtual from 18 to 19 December 2023 (S1&2). If more sessions of NSP-WTSA are needed, the dates of the following NSP e-meetings (potentially to be held in March 2024) will be shared via ITU-T SG11 mailing list after December NSP-WTSA meeting.
ITU-T SG11 will finalize preparation for WTSA at the next ITU-T SG11 meeting (Geneva, 1-10 May 2024, TBA). Details will be shared via ITU-T SG11 mailing list (
t22sg11all@lists.itu.int).
ITU-T SG11 informed TSAG and all SGs on its progress on preparation to WTSA-24.
The detailed report of the ITU-T SG11 NSP-WTSA sessions held in October 2023 is available in
SG11-TD613-R2/GEN.
ITU-T SG11 was informed that since the extension of its life cycle, FG-TBFxG conducted virtual meeting on 3-5 July 2023. During this meeting, FG-TBFxG made a good progress on seven ongoing work items and started a new technical report which will specify the index and relation of the Focus Group on Testbed Federation Technical Specifications and Technical Reports (D0.2).
Also, ITU organized a webinar the Episode #27: Digital transformation of testing: federated testbeds as a service on 21 June 2023.
The next FG-TBFxG meeting is scheduled to be held virtual from 8 to 10 November 2023.
ITU continues organizing series of events related to ITU-T SG11 activities. Since May 2023, the following events were organized:
ITU Forum “Future networks”, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 23-25 May 2023 The Forum was aimed at discussing trends in Future Networks development, conformance and interoperability testing, use cases and best practices from different countries. It was collocated with ITU-T Study Group 11 Regional Group meeting for Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Transcaucasia (SG11RG-EECAT).
Episode #27: Digital transformation of testing: federated testbeds as a service,
virtual, 21 June 2023 This Webinar answered a key question whether testing activities may migrate to virtual environments and whether testing as a service based on federated testbeds can facilitate enabling quicker time-to-market for products and services. It also examined up-to-date ecosystem of testbeds, including existing use cases and clarified on how federated testbeds framework defined in Recommendation ITU-T Q.4068 could help with such challenge.
ITU Tutorial on ITU Testing Laboratories recognition procedure, Geneva, 12 October 2023
The tutorial aimed at guiding all stakeholders on Testing Laboratories recognition procedure established by ITU, its benefits and all logistical details needed for submitting applications. ITU Workshop on combating counterfeiting and stolen ICT devices. Episode 2, Geneva, 13 October 2023
The workshop aimed at providing a platform for exchanging views among all stakeholders and international organizations on the potential way forward to stop the spreading and circulation of counterfeit ICT devices in the world, as well as, stopping the circulation of stolen mobile devices. It also provided an opportunity to discuss the potential direction for collaboration between the ITU and other international organizations on these subject matters.
18 New Terms and DefinitionsITU-T SG11 continues its practice to inform SCV about new terms and definitions of the work items proposed for consent. ITU-T SG11 informed SCV about new terms and definitions extracted from work items consented at this particular meeting and the one which is planned to be consented at the next WP4/11 meeting (e-meeting, 7 February 2024).
19 Stale work items
ITU-T SG11 considered the list of stale work items (
SG11-TD602-R1/GEN). There were five work items, which are supposed to achieve stale status in 6 months. The baseline texts of five of them were advanced based on received contributions and discussion results. One of those five was finalized and agreed at the meeting.
Among those six stale work items was TR.MPLRA (Q13/11). During the meeting, it was noted that the input document, which is addressed to TR.MPLRA (Q13/11), was received during Q13/11 interim RGM e-meeting (25-27 July 2023). The proposal was not accepted and the baseline text of TR.MPLRA was not modified.
20 Action plan
There were no changes in the SG11 action plan for the study period 2022-2024, which was agreed in July 2022 (SG11-TD139-R1/GEN).
21 Outgoing Liaison Statements
22 Approved new work items
22.1 New work items initiated during ITU-T SG11 meeting (Geneva, 10-20 October 2023)
22.2 Work items initiated during the interim Rapporteur meetings
None.
23 Work plan for interim Working Party and Rapporteur Group e-meetings
ITU-T SG11 decided to conduct several interim RGM and WPs meetings, as follows:
- Q13/11 (e-meeting, 12-13 December 2023);
- Q1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16/11 (e-meetings, 29 January – 6 February 2024);
- WP1/11, WP2/11, WP3/11, WP4/11 (e-meetings, 7 February 2024);
Q6/11 (e-meeting, 11-13 March 2024);
Q7/11 (e-meeting, 27-28 March 2024).
24 Interim SG11 NSP-WTSA sessions
ITU-T SG11 decided to conduct several interim NSP-WTSA meetings. The first meeting is scheduled to be held fully virtual from 18 to 19 December 2023. The objectives of the SG11 NSP-WTSA are to consider input documents on:
It was noted that the dates of the following meeting are to be confirmed after NSP-WTSA session to be held in December 2023.
Details were circulated via ITU-T SG11 mailing list and are available on the ITU-T SG11 webpage at:
https://itu.int/go/tsg11.
25 Regional Groups meetings
The Regional Groups of ITU-T SG11 conducted their meetings since last ITU-T SG11 meeting in May 2023:
SG11RG-EECAT (Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 23-25 May 2023),
EECAT-R1-R1;
SG11RG-AFR (virtual, 13-15 September 2023), AFR-R1.
26 Future SG11 related events and activities27 Next Study Group 11 meeting
It was noted that next ITU-T SG11 meeting is planned to be held in Geneva from 1 to 10 May 2024, TBA.
