FOR INFORMATION June 22, 1999 |
Four Companies Complete Common Technical Specifications |
NTT, BellSouth, British Telecommunications (BT) and France Telecom (FT) have jointly completed common technical specifications for high-speed optical network access systems. NTT is developing ATM backbone networks to satisfy market demands for low-cost and high-speed telecommunications systems for homes and businesses. The systems supported by the common technical specifications will be used for access systems of these ATM backbone networks. NTT and BellSouth began working on the specifications in June 1998 and BT and FT joined in October of the same year, thereby forming a four-company team for the purpose of developing a de-facto standard for use in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH)*1 systems. De-facto standards serve in the absence of international standards that have been approved by an international institution, such as the International Telecommunication Union's Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)*2. NTT, together with BellSouth, BT, FT and other companies belonging to the Full Service Access Network (FSAN)*3 initiative, has been working for the international standardization of an interface specification for high-speed optical access systems. As a result of such efforts, optical signal specifications were recommended as ITU-T Recommendation G.983.1 in October 1998 and management channel specifications are expected to be determined as ITU-T Recommendation G.983.2 this month. The newly developed common technical specifications, realized through further development of the FSAN interface specification, is a de-facto standard for equipment specifications. With their introduction, telecommunications carriers and manufacturers can now begin to invest fully in the development of related products and services. The standard will also enable global telecom carriers with access network facilities to lower their network interconnection costs and provide services for compatible equipment, as well as expand seamless telecommunications on a global scale. The common technical specifications will be presented jointly by the four companies during the European Conference on Networks & Optical Communications (NOC'99)*4 in Holland from July 22 to 24. Notes: *1 Fiber to the Home (FTTH) FTTH is the use of optical fiber cables to provide homes or businesses with superior, wide-band services via access networks. FTTH will provide crucial infrastructure for development of advance information societies. *2 International Telecommunication Union's Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) ITU-T is the ITU's sector for deciding telecom specification standards. Recommendations for standards are categorized from A to Z, with G.900 assigned to digital transmission systems. *3 Full Service Access Network (FSAN) The FSAN was established at the initiative of telecommunications carriers around the world to develop de-facto standards for high-speed optical network access systems. Membership numbered 20 major telecommunications carriers as of May 1999: BellCanada, BellSouth, Bezeq, BT, Chunghwa, DTAG, Eire, FT, GTE, KPN, KT, NTT, SBC, SingTel, SwissCom, Telefonica, Telia, Telstra, TI and US West. The FSAN proposes its specifications to international institutions such as the ITU-T. *4 European Conference on Networks & Optical Communications (NOC) An international conference concerned with networks and optical communications, including optical devices, and systems. |
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For further information, please contact:
Norihiko Ohkubo or Megumi Inaji |
 NTT NEWS RELEASE |