Developments in home networks
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RegulationRegulation applicable to the home network can be complex, as this environment can vary widely depending on the type of infrastructure and services. The boundary between the access network and the home network has been viewed as a key regulatory demarcation point that determines the customer responsibility for infrastructure required to carry services within the home. However, in today’s layered service-oriented environment, the regulatory regime in Australia touches many points across the home network. These can be categorised according to infrastructure, type of connectivity, devices and services. The network boundaryThe network boundary represents a definable point where a carrier or carriage service provider’s responsibility for ensuring efficient delivery of a service extends. Section 22 of the Telecommunications Act defines the boundary of a telecommunications network for customer cabling (section 20) and customer equipment (section 21). It determines a boundary of engagement where entities assume regulatory responsibility for the provision and maintenance of services and infrastructure. Modern services are now:
The transition to an NGN delivery model involves a broader range of wireless and wired network boundaries in the home, but more importantly, presents a complex multiple-service environment where there are also service-specific boundaries and responsibilities. A physical network boundary is largely determined by the service delivery model and the technologies of the access networks. In the case of the PSTN telephony service to a residence, the network boundary is often considered the first telephone socket but could be some other point at the home, depending on the establishment infrastructure. For example, the network boundary for a multi-dwelling complex can reside in a communal communications facility. The proposed NGN will introduce a common access network using three technologies—fibre, fixed-wireless and satellite. Each will require a powered network termination unit (NTU). The network boundaries will likely be similar for these three NGN-based access networks. The majority of premises will be connected to the FTTP network, which will terminate at a specific NTU known as an optical network termination (ONT) that is located in or within close proximity to the building. Figure 4 depicts the network boundary for an NTU that is proposed for an NGN access network. In contrast, the HFC network boundary is deemed to be at the first telecommunications outlet (whether it is for a subscription television or telephony service). The demarcation point for wireless access networks (such as 3G or WiMAX networks) that extend into the home is at the surface of the antenna of the receiving device in the home. Connectivity infrastructureConnectivity infrastructure refers to passive infrastructure such as cabling and the active components such as network boundary interfaces, routers, wireless and BPL devices that facilitate the home network infrastructure. Radio spectrum can also be considered to be in this broad category. Some connectivity infrastructure devices are required to meet Australian compliance labelling requirements, namely that suppliers demonstrate compliance by labelling equipment and maintaining a record in a compliance folder.56 Cabling and associated network device infrastructure is regulated by telecommunications regulatory arrangements.57 Some of the relevant standards are AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006, which apply to the installation and maintenance of fixed or concealed cabling, and equipment that connects to network boundary interfaces. It should be noted, however, that some home network infrastructure such as Ethernet switches do not need to comply with the standards above, but they would need to comply with electromagnetic compatibility requirements.58. The cabling provider rules apply to the installation of cabling in home networks.59 These rules are intended to reduce the risk of danger to people and maintain network integrity from disruptive elements such as electromagnetic interference, mains power and lightning. This is particularly important as the home network shares the same environment with other utility infrastructure such as gas, water and mains power distribution. DevicesThe compliance labelling requirements also apply to electrical or electronic devices that connect to the home network. These may include computers, mobile phones, printers, IP telephones and analog telephone adapters (ATA). The labelling requirements are based on features and functions offered by the device. For example, an ATA should comply with both the EMC and telecommunications labelling requirements, whereas a television with a WiFi or Ethernet connection should meet the requirements of both the radiocommunications and EMC labelling regulations. The use of devices employing wireless technologies is also governed by the licensing regime that requires the user to operate the device in accordance with the conditions of the applicable authorising licence. The user may be unaware of the licensing regime, although the compliance labelling requirements address the specific requirements of various platforms for home-networking wireless technologies to meet technical operating conditions of the authorising class licence, apparatus licence or spectrum licence.60 Compliance with the labelling requirements allows users to operate devices subject to the applicable class license, or enables providers to organise third-party authorisation subject to the applicable apparatus or spectrum licence as part of the subscription process. ServicesExisting regulation of services is based largely on the traditional delivery of vertically integrated services over dedicated networks. The emergence of IP-based networks has allowed services to be delivered with features not determined by the underlying physical network. It is becoming increasingly difficult to base regulation of services on the technology employed or by using other narrow definitions. Services delivered into the home are now defined less by regulation and more by providers, consumers and content. This has resulted in new and converged services with varying degrees of offerings and expectations that may not sit comfortably within past frameworks. To continue to deal with specific content issues, customer expectations and operator requirements, a shift in regulation may be necessary to achieve a workable balance for the delivery of services. The federal government has announced that it will conduct a convergence review ‘in response to ongoing trends in technology that are reshaping the media landscape from how it looked in the 1990s, which is when Australia’s current media and communications regulatory frameworks were established’.61 This recognises the rapidly converging communications environment, and its potential impact on current and future policy setting and regulatory arrangements. Directory: media media -> Applications to Drill media -> Unicef voices of Youth Chat Theme: Children and aids nigeria and Zimbabwe 13 October 2006 Background media -> Tsunami Terror Alert: Voices of Youth media -> Biblical Eschatology Presentation by: D. Paul Beck May 4, 2016 Ground Rules media -> Guide to completing the collection using the Omnibus system media -> The milk carton kids media -> Events Date and Location media -> The Gilded Age: The First Generation of Historians by H. Wayne Morgan University of Oklahoma, April 18, 1997 media -> Analysis of Law in the United Kingdom pertaining to Cross-Border Disaster Relief Prepared by: For the 30 June 2010 Foreword media -> Cuba fieldcourse 2010 Download 171.08 Kb. Share with your friends:
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