ITU MAKES 17 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GLOBAL CABLE NETWORK
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has made series of recommendations for cable networks that could serve as basis for global communication system using Internet Protocol (IP) technology. Initiative, known as IPCablecom, was created with intention of helping cable operators and vendors provide multimedia services, such as interactive games, electronic commerce and streaming media applications, including voice and videoconferencing. ITU has been working with European Telecom Standards Institute, CableLabs in U.S., as well as Society for Cable Telecom Engineers. In releasing recommendations, Geneva-based ITU said IP had emerged as standard transport mechanism for data networks and would enable “revolution” in multimedia services and applications. “IPCablecom furthers that revolution by enabling a new array of global services at a time when the Internet is increasingly important for economic and social prosperity,” said Richard Green, chmn. of ITU study group that came up with recommendations and also pres. of CableLabs.
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ITU officials said that, eventually, IPCablecom service providers might interconnect their networks to form national or even international footprint. Agreement on standards, reached in just over year, is composed of 17 recommendations that meet specifications defined by cable operators and vendors in N. America, Europe and Asia and detail interconnection requirements required to introduce new products and deploy necessary technology. Fundamental requirements are technical specifications covering issues ranging from quality of service to security interfaces. ITU said broadband capacity of modern hybrid fiber/coaxial cable networks that were widely available in homes and businesses made cable very attractive medium to deliver advanced services. “This work serves as an excellent example of how industry and the ITU can work together to anticipate and meet market demand,” Green said.
IPCablecom initiative was directed toward defining new digital broadband multimedia system architecture that overlaid high-speed 2-way hybrid fiber/coaxial cable modem access network. IPCablecom builds upon digital cable modem architecture DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification). IPCablecom’s architecture supports signaling for services, media transport, interfacing, security, provisioning of client devices, billing and settlements and other network management functions, ITU and CableLabs said. - - Brigitte Greenberg