ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, July 5th 2011 [ME NewsWire]
In accordance with its strategic objective to provide the best standard of services to users in the UAE, and proceeding from the regional leading position enjoyed by the country in the ICT sector, the TRA launched the Next Generation Network (NGN) Industry Forum in order to accelerate the transition of the telecommunications sector in the UAE to NGN.
Commenting on the importance of the transition to NGN and the launch of the Industry Forum, H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim said: “Technical evolution in the last few years has brought drastic changes to the telecommunications industry throughout the world, which in turn has led predominantly towards IP-based NGNs. The convergences of telephony, data, and internet technologies have provided the licensees with the ability to offer their customers many new services.”
He continued: “As the TRA’s intention is to play a vital role in promoting the migration to NGN and IMS infrastructure, the TRA established the forum to discuss and analyze issues pertaining to NGN interconnection, interoperability and other issues related to NGN Transition with the purpose of creating an improved framework for the industry and ensuring that it is in accordance with the Telecom Law Article 13.”
The TRA’s main objectives from such a transition are to: 1- encourage, promote, and develop the telecommunications and information technology industries in the UAE, 2- promote and enhance the telecommunications systems in the UAE as indicated by the development and the establishment of industry-related training institutions, through the availability of the latest equipment, and by facilities provided by telecommunications technology, and 3- develop NGN framework with the involvement of the industry.
The TRA will take the lead in establishing the forum, and the membership of the forum will consist of representatives from the following organizations: the TRA, who as the Forum chairperson, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), Emirates Integrated Telecommunication Company PJSC (Du), and any other entities which may become licensees by the TRA while this forum exists, and additionally some telecom equipment vendors may get invited to the forum for specific issues if deemed necessary.
Referring to the objectives the TRA is seeking to achieve through establishing the NGN Industry Forum, H.E. Director General said: “We are establishing this forum in order to provide the licensees an opportunity to contribute and share their views on NGN regulations framework, enhance the ICT sector in the country, achieve clear and transparent NGN regulations, promote broadband and advanced services for users, promote innovations, and ensure customer security and protection, offering the licensees the chance to exchange experience and knowledge, express their views and challenges to migrate to NGN, and develop the technical framework and standards required for NGN.”
The NGN Industry Forum will act as an awareness tool for the licensees regarding the importance of addressing the regulatory framework of the TRA when it comes to NGN deployment. It aims at accelerating NGN migration in the UAE and will be used to set proof of concept trials on IP interconnection and the adoption of technical standards. The Forum shall act in an advisory capacity, and its findings, decisions and recommendations shall not be binding upon the TRA.
The Forum meetings shall be held as, when, and where scheduled by the chairperson, and the chairperson shall circulate a meeting agenda to all members no later than one week prior to each forum meeting. Members shall attend all meetings; however, any member that fails to attend any of the meetings may lose opportunity to express his views or recommendations on the item discussed during his absence.
-Ends-
For more information about TRA please visit www.tra.gov.ae
Contacts
UAE Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA)
Mrs. Huda Al Mutawa
Director, Corporate Communications Affair
+9712-6118250
huda.almutawa@tra.gov.ae
No comments:
Post a Comment