In order to create a structure for fibre-optics networks in Malaysia, a Next Generation Network (NGN) Working Group was formed under the auspices of the Malaysian Technical Standards Forum Berhad (MTSFB).
Comprising industry players such as DiGi Telecommunications, Maxis Communications, Telekom Malaysia, and Time dotCom, as well as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as the regulator, the Working Group was tasked with a number of duties including defining standards based on Malaysian needs and recommending changes to the regulatory framework in order to deploy NGN.
In the Working Group report, titled Guideline On Next Generation Network (NGN) Realisation, the advent of NGN has been brought about by various factors. These include increased competition among service providers owing to market deregulation, a boom in digital traffic, as well as an increase in demand for multimedia services and mobility.
Malaysian Needs
More specific to Malaysia, the NGN Working Group also looked at various regulatory issues that need to be taken into consideration. With regards to licensing and access, it established that the liberalisation of license regulations supports the implementation of NGN, and that quality of service is guaranteed through pre-defined standards.
Collectively, the Malaysian telecommunications industry has developed various best practices guidelines for adoption by NGN facilities and services providers. They include but are not limited to:
• Guideline on Next Generation Network (NGN) Realisation
• Technical Standards of In-Building Fibre Cabling for Fibre-to-the-Premises
Prior to the establishment of industry guidelines for NGN and Fibre-to-the-Premises, there were several guidelines pertaining to proper upkeep of databases for underground utility mapping adopted by the National Survey and Mapping Department (JUPEM) to ensure efficient referencing and network maintenance. These guidelines are, namely:
• Standard Guidelines for Underground Utility Mapping
• Standard Guidelines for Installation of Utilities
Network Uptime is critical criteria that determines the carrier-class service quality for NGN. PDC Telco has mandated that all the above guidelines, and with more to come in the future the industry evolves and continues to move forward, must be subscribed to by all stakeholders involved in the NGN sector.