IP interconnection
Key Elements for the Interconnection of IP-Based Networks
The Federal Network Agency, on 11 February published its Key Elements for the Interconnection of IP-Based Networks. This document analyses the options for IP-based interconnection considering the migration towards next generation networks and outlines implications for competition and regulation.
The Key Elements constitute the preliminary conclusion of an ongoing discussion with market participants and representatives of the scientific community, which was initiated by the Federal Network Agency already in 2005. The advisory Project Group established at that time for developing the "Framework Conditions for the Interconnection of IP-Based Networks" published its Final Report in December 2006. In 2007 a hearing on this report was opened. Statements received in this hearing together with the Final Report constitute the basis for the Key Elements published now. Furthermore, a synopsis of the comments received, is published in a separate document.
Taking a questionnaire as its starting point, the Project Group analysed the framework conditions for the interconnection of IP-based networks. The focal point was to identify possible development trends for a viable interconnection regime and to illustrate the steps in the migration from today's to tomorrow's regime. In the course of the Group's work experts gave presentations which are also published here.
Special reports
The Federal Network Agency has commissioned reports from the experts to support the Project Group's work. The idea is to find answers to the questions and to more far-reaching aspects. Addressed are both the existence of parallel structures for a transitional period and migration from today's to tomorrow's regime.
"Abrechnungssysteme und Zusammenschaltungsregime aus ökonomischer Sicht" (Prof Ingo Vogelsang, Boston University)
The migration towards IP networks brings different accounting systems and interconnection regimes from the "old" telecoms world and the Internet world into contact with one another. This is the background against which Prof Vogelsang's report studies the economic implications and incentive effects of different approaches and takes the debate on the issue forward.
"Framework for Interconnection of IP-Based Networks – Accounting Systems and Interconnection Regimes in the USA and the UK" (Scott Marcus, WIK-Consult GmbH)
The report by Scott Marcus studies accounting systems and interconnection regimes in the USA and the UK and analyses interconnection solutions for VoIP. The report also shows how the issues resulting from the migration to IP-based networks have been tackled by the authorities in these countries.
„Technische Aspekte der Zusammenschaltung in IP-basierten Netzen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von VoIP“ (Prof Klaus Hackbarth, Universidad de Cantabria, Dr Gabriele Kulenkampff, WIK-Consult GmbH)
The aim of this advisory report is to identify the implications of the special technical characteristics of IP-based networks for interconnection issues. Specifically, the report studies issues of network architecture and structure (number of sites in the core network) and examines how PSTN/ISDN features can be implemented by means of VoIP. Another main focus is the analysis of various mechanisms that will ensure quality of service parameters for different classes of service. This is done by comparing the approaches of overdimensioning, prioritising and reservation.
An Extended Executive Summary presents the main findings of the report, the conclusions derived and methods used.
Date of modification: 2008.11.03