New Broadband Forum Initiatives in Next Generation Access (NGA) and Architecture

COO Robin Mersh unveils expanded testing and certification efforts, as well as highlights the new suite of work targeting end-to-end architecture evolution for powerful new multi-service converged Networks.

LONDON, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its role as the architect of the "Connected Lifestyle," the Broadband Forum, the global consortium of approximately 200 leading telecommunications service providers, network equipment manufacturers and software companies driving broadband solutions around the world, has today announced a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at empowering next generation access solutions in a variety of technologies, including ADSL2plus, VDSL2 and GPON.

Speaking at the FTTx Summit in London, Robin Mersh, COO of the Broadband Forum, highlighted the extension of the Broadband Forum’s testing and conformance efforts, encouraging the evolution of access technologies. This work includes:

• Recent enhancements to the ADSL2plus functionality test plan (TR-105 Corrigendum 2)
• Introduction of the new VDSL2 test suite (TR-114/TR-115 and TR-138)
• Development of a new Vectoring best practices white paper (MD-257)
• Recently added GPON interoperability abstract test development and testing being performed in conjunction with Full Service Access Network (FSAN). This work includes ongoing Plugfest events, open to all FSAN and Broadband Forum equipment and chipset vendors. Click here for a list of upcoming events.
• Additional fiber-related work is also moving forward addressing EPON

Another critical new area of the Broadband Forum's work includes specifications addressing end-to-end architecture evolution requirements. With a focus on establishing the global bar for multi-service architectures, a body of work has been launched to help service providers migrate to a more flexible, IP and MPLS-based mesh network approach aimed at facilitating efficient and cost effective delivery of multimedia services, assuring new levels of excellence in end-user quality of experience. This pending release will be based on TR-144 "Broadband Multi-Service Architecture & Framework Requirements" and anchored by key work in progress, such as WT-145 "Broadband Architecture Requirements" and WT-223 "Requirements for MPLS over Aggregated Interfaces". A new white paper associated with this work is also in development titled "Unified MPLS: Enabling next generation transport and services using MPLS-TP".

"Our role is to ensure that the industry has all the specifications and tools it needs to optimize networks, advance interoperability, and ultimately to capture the full potential of broadband worldwide," says Robin Mersh, COO of the Broadband Forum. "These new initiatives and joint efforts will provide those tools needed to expedite the migration to the next generation broadband network."

For further information about the Broadband Forum visit www.broadband-forum.org.

For further information please contact Sheila Lashford on +44 (0) 1827 830247 or +44 (0) 7986 514240 or by email to [email protected]

About the Broadband Forum

From the heart of the network to the connected user, the Broadband Forum is the Chief Architect of the Connected Lifestyle. Following its union with the IP/MPLS Forum, the Broadband Forum is now the central body for end-to-end multi-service architecture development and network specifications. This organization, comprising around 200 members of the world's leading service providers, equipment manufacturers, chip vendors and other key organizations, defines next generation solutions for access, mobile backhaul, business services, IPTV, gaming and other applications, and is poised to address further developments as they arise. The Broadband Forum's formal Technical Reports and white papers are publicly available at www.broadband-forum.org.

Robin Mersh, Broadband Forum Chief Operating Officer

Robin Mersh, Broadband Forum Chief Operating Officer, joined the Forum as Chief Operating Officer in July 2006 and is the senior full time executive. He has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 17 years, starting in sales and sales management for Cable & Wireless and then moving onto BT before moving to the US in 1999. Robin has worked in business development and alliance management for various OSS software companies in the US, and has now been leading the operations, strategic development and liaison efforts of the Broadband Forum for the last three years.

SOURCE The Broadband Forum