The Next Generation Network
The Next Generation Network (NGN) is the term where it combines any network which can provide any services which is faster, cheaper and innovative. According to Intel: NGN is packet convergence of all three Common packet infrastructures, Driven by services, Distributed intelligence across the network. By all means it’s a one network, service driven and universal access.
Next Generation Networks works mainly based on Internet Protocol (IP). If you use Windows Vista, under the properties for TCP/IP there will be two blank where one is IPv4 whereby the other one is IPv6. This IPv6 are going to be used partial for the NGN. Bill Gates made sure that his Vista relevant and usable for NGN for years to come as a part of Microsoft’s business strategy.
In NGN, there are so many terms use in networking especially NGN. In this article, the writer tries to simplify for the easy understanding of the reader. NGN are fully based in Internet technologies including Multi-Label Protocol Switching (MPLS) and Internet Protocol (IP) as mentioned above. For voice traffic, at the application level, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is used as a signaling or calls setup protocol to replace ISUP in conventional networks.
Of all the devices, the most important device in NGN is Soft Switch – programmable device that control calls. It creates an interface to the existing telephone network, Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN), through Signaling Gateways (SG) and Media Gateways (MG). However soft switch term maybe be differ depend on the vendors and have somewhat different functions. Few vendors to be name are Nortel, Siemens, Sonus, Nokia and Huawei. With the implementation of NGN, it will eliminate the usage of space. Imagine a hall of PSTN switching room could be replace by NGN that requires only a room that measures 20’ by 20’.
Other country’s NGN we take for example is British Telecom and Korean Telecom. With the implementation of NGN, British Telecom is setting a new wave focus of broadband, mobility, ICT and global solutions as main strategy. Korean Telecom is having Octave Project where from best effort internet to quality guaranteed secure IP network.
Currently in Malaysia our network must inter working with the legacy network via open interfaces. In order to have smooth transition between the new and traditional services, the old digital switching is still use. Overall, with two NGNs install, Malaysia could already have its own network connected. However, to feed the demand of Telco companies in providing various services, 6 NGNs are to be installed by 2010. In the government’s MyICMS 886 strategy drew by MCMC, some services expected to have in the market which will be provided by Telco companies are:
1. High Speed Broad Band (HSBB)
2. 3G and Beyond
3. Mobile TV/IPTV
4. Digital Multimedia Broadcasting
5. Digital Homes
6. Short Range Communications
7. VoIP/Internet Telephony
8. Universal Service Provision
With the born of NGN, all the telco companies will have more variety of services to offer. With high speed data transfer, a lot of innovative ideas will become a boom. Also, new technologies as WiMAX and WiBro will have easy implementation around the rural area of the country.
Further reading
Aritcle 1 : http://www.mobilein.com/NGN_Svcs_WP.pdf
Article 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Generation_Networking
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