Trusted Technology, Caring for People

BT21CN Update - Ofcom Consultation

20 August 2009

The communications regulator Ofcom, have recently commenced a consultation entitled: - 

Next Generation Networks (NGN) - "Responding to recent developments to protect consumers, promote effective competition and secure efficient investment"

The consultaion is due to close on 24th September 2009

The full consultation can be downloaded at: -

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ngndevelopments/main.pdf 

however, details from the introduction summary and section relating to Alarm & Telecare equipment can be seen below. Tynetec will provide more specific updates around BT21CN during the Autumn Roadshows being held during September & October. See Events for more information….  

Section from the introduction summary….....

1.2 In 2004, when details first started to emerge of BT’s plan to build an NGN through its 21st Century Network (‘21CN’) programme, NGNs were seen as perhaps the most important development in telecoms since privatisation. At the time, it was thought that they might represent a change of such magnitude as to require a different approach to regulation.

1.3 Since that time, with experience of real-world implementations of NGN technology, it has become apparent that the move to NGNs is not likely to occur as the step change that was once expected. It now seems more likely that NGNs will be adopted gradually, forming part of the wider evolution of network technologies, and with many opportunities for changes in direction along the way.

Section from the consultation relating to Alarm and Telecare equipment can be seen below….....

Alarm equipment
4.29 Testing by equipment manufacturers for 21CN has revealed that a significant proportion of security, fire and telecare alarms are sensitive to increased end-to-end transmission delay with the result that some equipment may not operate reliably on NGN networks. This problem arises because some of the proprietary signaling protocols used by these types of terminal apparatus assume levels of network transmission delay that are somewhat lower than may be encountered in an NGN network environment. The sensitivity of alarm equipment to transmission delay varies, with some models being fully compatible with 21CN and others unable to operate on 21CN at all.

4.30 To some extent, testing has highlighted an existing delay-sensitivity problem since some alarm equipment is sensitive to levels of delay that may be encountered in complex call routing scenarios on existing networks.

4.31 In some cases alarm equipment can be reconfigured to use less delay sensitive communications protocols but in other cases it will be necessary to replace terminal equipment prior to NGN deployment.
 

4.32 It is difficult to gauge the scale of this problem since there are no central records of the equipment in use and the need to replace equipment (at least in the short term) is likely to depend on several factors such as the type of alarm receiving centre equipment, and the networks to which the alarm receiving centre and terminal apparatus are connected. BT’s decision to scale back the migration of telephony services to 21CN considerably reduces the scale of the problem, in the short term at least. However, it is estimated there around 1.5 to 2 million security and fire alarms and another 1.5 million telecare alarms currently in use. It seems likely that a significant proportion of this installed base may ultimately have to be adjusted or replaced for NGN operation.

Mitigating risks to consumers

4.33 There is clearly a risk to consumers associated with alarm system failure if the necessary preventative steps are not taken prior to NGN migration. The potential risk to telecare services is of particular concern to Ofcom as these services are used by vulnerable members of society. Ofcom has therefore been monitoring developments in this area closely.

4.34 Fortunately telecare, fire and security alarms normally have monitoring contracts with alarm receiving centres, or in the case of some telecare systems are operated by sheltered housing schemes. Alarm systems should therefore be readily identifiable. Also, terminal equipment is often maintained by alarm providers, or by independent installers, and is often inspected annually.

4.35 For the 21CN Pathfinder pilot, BT has worked closely with organisations involved in the provision of telecare services in south Wales to ensure that steps are taken to avoid the risk of alarm failure following migration. Where necessary, BT has not migrated telephone lines associated with these services. The relevant industry associations (the British Security Industry Association (‘BSIA’) and the Telecare Services Association (‘TSA’)) are currently coordinating equipment testing activities and are helping their members to assess the risk and to plan mitigation activities such as equipment replacement or adjustment.

4.36 BT’s decision to scale back migration of telephony services to 21CN limits the immediate problem. However, it is important that work to address this problem continues as other CPs are also deploying NGNs. In addition, BT and others are beginning to trial NGA services, which will exhibit similar transmission characteristics as they use IP technology for voice services.

4.37 In our view, it is necessary for the organisations involved in the provision and maintenance of alarm and telecare services to take the lead in identifying equipment that needs to be replaced or adjusted and advising their customers. These organisations already have relationships with users and have the necessary technical expertise to determine what remedial action needs to be taken.

4.38 During this period whilst alarm equipment is being replaced we believe that CPs could take additional steps to inform the alarm community about major changes to their networks such as NGN migration that may affect terminal equipment. In particular we would expect CPs to:
• ensure that the network interface specifications that CPs are required to published under Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations54(‘R&TTE Regulations’) are kept up to date and are readily accessible on their websites; and
• give as much advanced notice as possible of forthcoming changes to interface specifications and major network changes such as NGN migration that will have a significant impact on key transmission parameters that might affect terminal equipment such as transmission delay, jitter and echo-cancellation.

4.39 We suggest that industry associations such as TSA and BSIA could act as a conduit for dissemination of this information to their respective industry sectors. We would welcome suggestions on this point.

Question 8: Do you agree with our assessment of how the alarm equipment incompatibility problem should be addressed?

4.40 We are also concerned about the potential financial impact of equipment replacement on vulnerable consumers. We therefore plan to explore this issue with those involved in the provision of telecare services during the coming months and would welcome stakeholder comments as a first step.

Question 9: What will be the impact on vulnerable consumers of replacing telecare and other alarm equipment?

To respond to this consultation go to: - http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ngndevelopments
 

 

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