NGNs & the Future for Alarms

Whether you’re talking landline or mobile-based networks, it’s fair to
say the UK’s communications infrastructure is evolving.

For their part, members of the general public continue to clamour for “super-fast broadband.” The government is actively supporting that desire, in turn setting specific targets for its roll-out right across the board.

Evolution of the aforementioned communications infrastructure is all bound up
in the terminology of the “Next Generation Network” (or NGN, if you prefer acronyms). Such networks are already operated by the “big boys” in communications, among them Sky and BT.

The general idea behind the NGN is a simple one: a lone network is
designed and configured to transport all information and data by
encapsulating it into “packets” similar in nature to
those employed on the Internet.

With NGNs commonly built around IP, it’s not surprising that the
terminology “all IP” is also sometimes used to describe the
transformational period that leads to the fully-fledged NGN.

So what does all of this have to do with the security and fire sectors?

Well, it’s very much the case that many security, fire, and indeed social
alarms absolutely depend upon the telecommunications network for
processing alarm signals. That being so, does this evolution pose
potential difficulties for those who work with such alarms (not to
mention the end users of them)?

An overriding fear is that any fundamental, unchallenged changes to the
communications status quo could result in signal failures. That would be a wholly unacceptable scenario for all involved.

To its great credit, the British Security Industry Association has been
leading the charge in addressing this key issue.

For instance, the trade association has actively worked with Sky to test
the latter’s Voice Broadband Network (SVBN) — itself an IP
technology-based NGN.

At the same time as identifying an issue affecting digital
communicators, the test procedures highlighted the extent of the
problem and Sky duly reconfigured its software by way of resolving
the issue.

Good news all round, then, you’re thinking. Yes, but — and there’s
always a “but,” isn’t there? — this episode does highlight
the potential for the wider problem of NGN providers changing their
network designs without first consulting professionals operating in
the security, fire, and social alarm sectors.

Positively, Sky has
continued to involve the BSIA in sample testing of communications
equipment whenever the company’s all set to launch new software
upgrades.

Moving forward, it will be imperative all communications solutions adopt the
same attitude. That way, member companies of organisations like the
BSIA, the Fire Industry Association (FIA), and the Telecare Services
Association (TSA) will have the necessary lead time to adequately
prepare their solutions for change and cut back on the potential for
any signal failure.

Signalling
failures
The BSIA is continuing to raise awareness of NGN and call-routing issues
through regional and technical meetings, seminars, and other dedicated
events. Crucially, a support service is available to member companies
that have experienced (or are now experiencing) signalling failures.

Links have also been nurtured with the communications industry forum NGNuk,
a debating focal point established to provide communication providers
and OFCOM with a central point of contact for addressing issues
linked with NGNs and Next Generation Access (NGA) across the UK.

The BSIA is still seeking an answer to the maximum network delay
expectations — a fundamental issue addressed over the past few
years.

Just prior to Christmas, the BSIA, FIA, and TSA agreed to work together on
ensuring that members of all three trade bodies are represented and
supported in discussions focused on telecommunication changes.

By dint of a Memorandum of Understanding, these organisations are
looking at a joined-up approach for communicating with OFCOM and the
telecoms providers to ensure consistency of message between all three
organisations. The “one voice” tactic also puts the full weight
of the collective memberships behind those communications.

It’s a development that can only be a good thing for the alarms sectors in
the security, fire, and telecare spaces.

Brian Sims is organising the content for the Intruder Alarms Area of IFSEC International 2013. To register for the show, please visit IFSEC International 2013.

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