Regional ITU Consultation on
Conformance Assessment and
Interoperability for the Africa region
(Nairobi, Kenya, 30-31 July 2010 )
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
The Global Environment
Brains Drainage
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
2
BTA : Basic Telecommunication Agreement
Product (Industry) life cycle stages
A Telecom product has a life cycle.
Is highly correlated to the innovation
cycle of new technologies.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
3
Roger’s Theory for
Innovation Adoption
Industry is investing and struggling
to be among the early innovators
and rush their products early in the
market.
4
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
Moore’s adjustment : The Chasm
However industry is subject to the
“Chasm” phenomena as defined by
“Moore”; where a technology or a
product can either survive, or Die!
Hence it is a matter of survival !!!
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
5
Accelerated Innovation/Adoption
Cycle
Moreover, recently the innovation and the
manufacturing cycles are highly accelerating.
To survive, industry wants to :
Reduce time for product entry to market.
Reduce cost of products to compete heavily.
Have least barrier of entry to markets, especially
into Developing Countries’ markets.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
6
The Market Players
Operator’ Tender
“Assumed” Axioms:
Non-reputable
vendor
Emerging
Vendors:
Small
entrepreneur
vendors
Big
Vendors
are
“Reputable”.
Big
Vendors:
Medium
Sized
Vendors
Extremely
low
prices
Innovative,
Fast
Acting
••••Could
be
more
innovative,
with flexibility to
Reputation
or
SDoC.
Moderate
reputation
Accelerating
tradeprices
target.
•
Counterfeit
SDoC
,isorthe
fake
DoC
•
Very
competitive
adapt
to
customer
needs.
• •SDoC
High
Prices.
orto
DoC
usually
Ready
adapt
thing
Market
openness
isany
mandated
by WTO. Labs.
•
Very
flexible,
at to
least
verbally
•• SDoC
or
DoC
usually
from
non-reputable
Aggressive
Marketing.
from
non-reputable
Labs
•
Ready
to
bribe.
•
SDoC,
or
DoC
from
reputable;
Emerging
entrant
the equation.
• Much less
prices.changed
• •Less
prices.
Ready
to RUN
and
some
times
from entrepreneurs.
non-reputable labs.
Little
chance
for [Local]
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
7
Industry is happy with SDoC
Here is a nice
looking certificate
you have asked for !
Go and contract; for sure
it will be conforming by
the next release !
If it ever comes
It is compliant to the
Standards !
Don’t worry,
eventually it
will work !
(@ some time) ,
(& with some
extra money)
of a SQUARE
A main concern of DCs :
Unfortunately not all suppliers
play it fair !.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
Believe me !
I Swear !
8
Technology Neutrality
Test–Bed for New
Technologies
?
?
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
9
Sample of Real-Life Problems
Equip. Category (1)
Description of the problem (2)
Reasons (3)
Effects/Impact on (4)
1) Category of Equipment:
(Optical interface, repeaters, xDSL, GPON/BPON, OTN equipment, wireless
access, maintenance, monitoring…….etc)
2) Description of the Problem (examples):
•1 = Hardware
•2 = Software
•3 = Both H & S
•4 = Partial/Total non conformity for expected functionalities
•5 = QoS: low Quality of Service – BER related issues
•6 = LEG: poor/no legacy with existing equipment/services/infrastructures
•7 = Errors in maintenance data
3) Main reasons:
•1 = no conformity to standards
•2 = poor interoperability equipment same vendor
•3 = poor interoperability equipment different vendors
•4 = poor interoperability same operator/service provider
•5 = poor interoperability different operator/service providers
4) Effects/impact on:
•1 = Cost increase due to the need to replace some/all old existing equipment or to buy additional equipment to solve p
•2 = Additional costs for maintenance/operation/restoring
•3 = Negative impact on customers/new markets
•4 = Loss of business / market opportunities / image with respect to competitors
•5 = Limited or No access to required services
10
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
Network Integrator A
Equip.
Category (1)
Description of
the problem (2)
Wireless
Access
(WiMax
802.16d)
5
QoS: low
Quality of
Service – BER
related issues
Reasons (3)
3
4
poor
Loss of business / market
interoperability opportunities / image with
equipment
respect to competitors
different vendors
CDMA
F
3
Backhauling
Frame
poor
Via VSAT structures / key interoperability
bytes
equipment
different vendors
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
Effects/Impact on (4)
2
Additional costs for
maintenance/operation/
restoring
11
Network Integrator C
Equip.
Category (1)
Description of the problem (2)
Main Reasons (3)
Effects/Impact on (4)
Feature not supported
and not mentioned on
Data Sheet although it
is basic requirements
for operation.
Another devise
should be used.
Analog Voice
Gateway
Can’t forward dialed digits to next devise.
Voice interface
Card
Caller ID feature is not working on
certain mode of operation although it is
globally mentioned on Spec. Sheet that
it is supported.
New hardware
interface card should
be used.
The customer was
unsatisfied and
switched to another
vendor.
Data Switch
Per Packet load sharing on multi-trunk
lines is not working although it is
mentioned in the Spec. Sheet
Function not available
in current software
release.
Additional devices need
to be used to support
the required function.
Wimax
Basestation
Antenna diversity should be supported... The diversity is actually not
It is available on the configuration menu working when it was
enabled on the software
but not working.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
support Team stated
that the diversity is not
working in the current
software and may be
active in next version
12
Mobile Operator A
Equip. Category
(1)
OMC
Announcement
Machine for
subscribers
Description of
the problem (2)
Signaling
Signaling
Reasons (3)
Effects/Impact on (4)
no conformity to
standards
Negative impact on customers/new
markets
no conformity to
standards
Cost increase due to the need to
replace some/all old existing
equipment or to buy additional
equipment to solve problems (e.g.
interfaces)
Partial/Total non
conformity for
no conformity to
IN
expected
standards
functionalities
poor interoperability
NGN
Software
equipment different
(RNC/MGW)
vendors
poor interoperability
Mobile Switching
Signaling
equipment different
Center
vendors
Negative impact on customers/new
markets
Negative impact on customers/new
markets
Loss of business / market
opportunities / image with respect
to competitors
13
Mobile Operator B
Similar Problems !!
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
14
Far Eastern Vendor
Product Type:
Microwave from ( X) need to be connected to another
microwave from ( E)
Interface name:
OSPF over DCC
Brief Description:
Both X and E can support OSPF over DCC for management,
but when the OSPF is enabled , some areas covered by this
microwave is not working although when we connect X
with any other suppliers all the areas working fine .
Now issue still under investigation and we will
be waiting for next steps to solve this problem.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
15
What we see the top of the Ice Burg
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
16
A possible Solution, is it Good for All?
Big
Multinational
Operator
Equipment
standard
list prices
Big
Vendors
Tender/Certificate
Local Big Affiliates
Local Markets
Local Small
Operators;
Network Integrators
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
Smaller
operators
17
WTSA 76/ WTDC 54 / Council 09
Conformity Program.
Interoperability Prog.
Capacity building Prog.
Interop Test Labs.
Endorsed by majority, concerns noted.
Action started, no turn back.
Exchange of views enriches the progress.
DCs cannot afford waiting for long, problems are
there and self evident.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
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ITU Database and the DCs
(1)
Better exposure for vendors.
Opportunity for small and emerging
vendors.
Increasing portfolio to DCs = Better
competition.
Assist DCs in drafting RFPs and
Evaluating Bids.
Better leveling between vendors, particularly
when associated with Accreditation.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
19
The ITU Database & Interoperability?
… BUT on any case, life will be better with
higher probability of interoperability.
Encourages better quality of
recommendations, including rationalization
of options for improved interoperability; e.g.
Basic vs Competitive options.
Rec
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
20
Cooperative Linking to Other
SDOs’ Data Bases
Can accommodate/link to other
already existing and developed
SDOs’ databases in a worldwide
cooperative standardization efforts.
e.g.:
FCC part 68 - “The rules also provide for the development and
maintenance of a publicly accessible database of approved TE
and for labeling TE that have been shown to comply with the
technical criteria. All approved TE are required to be listed in
the database and to be properly labeled”. The Administrative
Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA), joint sponsorship of the
Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), mandate “for
maintaining a publicly accessible database of all approved TE”.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
21
Testing Certification and Accreditation
Protocol Specifications,
Testing Methodology, Test Specifications
Standards
Product Supplier
Implementation
Testing
Manufacturer’s Test Operations
Accredited 3rd-Party
Test Laboratory ISO/IEC 17025
Test Report, X.290 Compliant
Accredited 1st-Party
Test Laboratory (Best Practice)
Test Laboratory ISO/IEC 17025
Test Report, X.290 Compliant
Test Report
Accredited Certification Body
Certificate of Conformance
Customer
Supplier’s Declaration
(ISO/IEC 17050-1)
Customer
Supplier’s Declaration
International
Customer
Telecommunication
Union
Base Ground: Customer would be happy with
an accredited certificate of conformance.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
22
Accreditation
Incremental costs added, but more long-term benefits to all,
plus confidence in the products.
National
implementation
should
rely
on
accredited
certifications and testing requirement to have level playing
ground for all vendors.
Flourishing testing and accreditation businesses will lead to
better affordable testing and accredited certification
economics to all players.
Mutual Recognition Agreements, Global Certification Forum
(GCF) : Test once, Use any where!
Confidence in technology is more important than how quickly
it appears in the market.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
23
Declaration of I/Op Tests Results
Test events are very helpful, however:
Balance transparency vs confidentiality
regarding Interoperability test results.
A minimum of Test Environment and
Equipment Configuration should be declared.
ITU role is vital in this regard. e.g. repository
for the results; DC practical capacity building to
be involved in Interop testing.
24
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
Parallel vs Step-by-Step
The problem is not linear, step-by-step
approach while pending other tracks
means postponing gaining the vital field
experiences.
The consultation/investigation process is
important, however; it is multi-folded
and should not inhibit other studies and
implementations of TSB program
already endorsed by council 09.
All addressed concerns can be studied
and solved along the way of
implementing the programs.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
25
DCs Views
All tracks are tackled simultaneously.
Robust studies can go line-in-line with
practical implementation along the four
tracks, possibly with gradual approach
along each of them to account for the
needed studies and gained experiences.
Encourage involvement of other SDOs.
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
26
Is the Devil in the Details?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Let’s Solve it from the ROOTS … !!!
Step-by-StepDelay
….
Rec. Options
Investigate …..
Wait until …
Confusion
Test
Labs cause confusion ….
Expenses
DB: Don’t do what others already did ….
……. Slow trade
ITU-T Programs
endorsed by council 09
Nairobi, Kenya, 30 – 31 July 2010
27
Let’s Bridge the STD GAP
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