Better security, QoS & SLAs drive NGN adoption

NEW DELHI: Network security, SLAs, cost of deployment and quality of service (QoS) are some of the issues that need to be resolved before next generation networks (NGN) find a higher adoption rate among enterprises.

According to speakers at the “NextGen Enterprise Networks” organized by Voice & Data, large enterprises have moved in for NGN/IP based networks but legacy networks are still in operation in these enterprises.

NGN can be described as a packet-based network able to provide services including telecom services and able to make use of multiple broadband, QoS enabled transport technologies and in which service related functions are independent from underlying transport-related technologies.

Jindal Sawpipes Ltd IT head Rajesh Batra urged service providers (SPs) to go beyond providing equipment for NGN and also focus on providing security. He also urged SPs to provide secure and reliable services beyond the metros into far-flung rural areas.

Panelists were also of the opinion that SLA and performance are very important while estimating the cost of NGN. Security should be a part of the NGN solution being provided by the SP and SLAs should also include financial penalties.

Today for providing connectivity through voice, mobile, video, etc. different SPs are there. But if one SP would provide all the services, then the cost would surely come down.

“NGN would lead to a situation where SPs whould cater to the need of the users and information which is needed would be available anywhere, anytime, irrespective of the SP the customer is using,” said Fortis Healthcare IT head Sunil Kapoor.

According to Bharti Infotel group CTO Jagbir Singh some of the roadblocks in NGN adoption include performance issues like QoS, security, etc., interoperability of NGN elements is still a challenge, lack of clear regulatory framework, lack of trained manpower to support in managing and maintaining the NGN infrastructure, financial viability and justification of the investment.