Background (1/4)

Interconnection and Interoperability

APT-ITU workshop on International Telecommunications Regulations

Bangkok, 6-8 February 2012Richard Hill, ITU

Background (1/4)• Yesterday– 1980’s : “interconnection” covering circuit and

packet switched networks, simple fixed end user devices

• Today : – “interoperability” largely embodies the

concepts of both interconnection and interworking

• Interoperability has been one of the more sensitive issues facing ITU since 2008.

• The need to address interoperability is included in Resolutions from the highest organs of the ITU:– Resolution 76 from WTSA 2008– Resolution 47 from the WTDC 2010– Resolution 177 from the 2010 ITU

Plenipotentiary– Resolution 62 from WRC 2012 (2012) – ITU Council Decisions in 2009, 2010 and

2011.

Background (2/4)

• All agree: Interoperability must happen• However: how to get there?• Real world: complex mix of de jure, de facto

and proprietary standards

Background (3/4)

• ITU’s conformity & interoperability programme (Resolution 177, Guadalajara)1. Conformity assessment programme including

conformity database2. Interoperability events programme3. Human resources capacity building4. Assistance in the establishment of test

facilities in developing countries

Background (4/4)

• 'Interconnection' shall mean the physical and logical linking of public communications networks used by the same or a different service provider in order to allow the users of one service provider to communicate with users of another service provider, or to access services provided by another service provider” (ITU-T E.800)

Interconnection (1/2)

• Sometimes incumbents have little incentive to allow access to their network/service on reasonable terms

• Regulatory intervention can lead to a more efficient outcome.

• Interconnection does not guarantee interoperability

Interconnection (2/2)

Interoperability (1/2)

• One of three strategic goals of ITU-T: – “To develop interoperable, non-discriminatory

international standards (ITU-T Recommendations)”• Interoperability: “The ability of two or more

systems or applications to exchange information and to mutually use the information that has been exchanged” (ITU-T Y.101)

• Striving for interoperability is a never ending task– ever-changing technology and operational

environment

Interoperability (2/2)

• How to acquire the “big picture” of interoperability?

• Which standards, regulations, policies and procedures that apply?

• Who should perform the testing? Self assessment? 3rd party testing?

• What test results can be released to the public domain?

Other pieces in the puzzle (1/2)• Conformance testing: “Testing the extent to

which an implementation under test is a conforming implementation” (ITU-T X.290)

• Test suites needed• “Conformance testing does not include

assessment of the performance nor the robustness or reliability of an implementation. … Thus conformance to a test suite alone cannot guarantee interworking” (ITU-T X.290)

Other pieces in the puzzle (2/2)

• Operational testing:– Realistic testing of large complex systems; normally

performed in situ rather than in off-site labs– a key final step before a system is turned over to a

service provider and enters commercial service– Operational testing may reveal the need for

modifications over time

CWG-WCIT proposals

• Proposals submitted to CWG-WCIT related to interconnection and interoperability

• Relevant to Articles 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 b) and c) and 9 of the ITRs

• No consensus for the time being