Ofcom Sets Up Industry Body For Next Gen Networks

Media watchdog Ofcom has announced the creation of a new industry body to oversee next generation networks (NGNs), laying the infrastructure for high-speed internet and media delivery systems.

NGN UK will be launched by Ofcom later this month, led by executive chairman Peter Black, who will take up the role in addition to overseeing the independent Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator and Local Loop Unbundling.

The new body will encourage the competitive growth of NGNs, which promise consumers a wide choice of new products, as well as value for money, using Internet Protocol (IP) technology.

Eight telecoms companies have already committed to NGN UK, including BT Group, Cable & Wireless, Easynet, now owned by BSkyB; Kingston Communications, NTL, Thus, Vodafone and Wanadoo UK.

The trade body’s initial focus will be on developing technical and commercial agreements between companies to allow for interconnection between rival networks.

Services such as voice over IP (VOIP) and video on-demand (VOD) promise to cut costs for consumers, although there are several technical hurdles yet to be overcome before widespread adoption can take place.

Several media firms have shifted their focus to IP-based technologies in recent months, with Telewest and NTL rolling out on-demand TV services (see Telewest Completes On-Demand TV Roll Out), while satellite giant BSkyB acquired Easynet to offer triple play, and eventually quadruple play services (see Sky Close To Completing EasyNet Deal).

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk