ATIS Launches TOPS Council Focus Groups to Address Inter-Carrier VoIP Call Routing and Optical Access Networks

February 26, 2007, Washington, DC – The ATIS Technology and Operations (TOPS) Council has commissioned two new focus groups addressing issues of critical importance to the communications industry in the areas of Voice over IP Call Routing and Optical Access Networks.

The ATIS Inter-Carrier VoIP Call Routing Focus Group (IVCR-FG), chaired by Chief Technology Officer Pieter Poll of Qwest, will investigate issues associated with call routing for inter-provider VoIP interconnection. It is expected to conduct a gap analysis that identifies needed requirements, standards, implementation agreements, and associated timelines for standardization work. Additionally, the IVCR-FG is expected to form recommendations to support establishment of the necessary agreements between and among VoIP service providers and the vendor community for a universal VoIP Call Routing Solution.

Kevin Schneider, Chief Technical Officer for ADTRAN, chairs the ATIS Optical Access Networks Focus Group (OAN-FG). The OAN-FG will investigate issues associated with the development of standards for FTTx and optical networking technologies. The focus group is expected to conduct an analysis of TDM transport options for Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON); offer an assessment of the need for integrating ATIS standardization activities with GPON interoperability test events; and conduct a standards gap analysis to improve alignment between standards organizations engaged in the development of optical networking standards.

“Both Focus Groups are chaired by known and respected senior-level technology executives within our industry, both of whom are active on the ATIS Board of Directors and the ATIS TOPS Council,” said ATIS President and CEO Susan M. Miller. “VoIP Call Routing and Optical Access Networking are priority issues for our industry. The work of both focus groups will offer greater clarification and support to the global standards community as we coordinate our efforts on these two priorities.”

Both the IVCR-FG and OAN-FG will conduct an assessment of needed standards activities for the industry in their respective areas and make recommendations for further work. The new Focus Groups address two of the six technical issues of critical importance to the communications industry as chosen by the TOPS Council for priority consideration. Wireless/Wireline Convergence is another major area. An Exploratory Group on Convergence has been established to identify and address critical issues in this area. The other remaining priority areas identified by the TOPS Council are Service Capabilities Interaction Manager, Broadband Services, and NGN Identity Management.

Previously identified technical priorities of the TOPS Council have led to the successful creation of needed standards gap analyses and work plans that are producing important standards and deliverables with respect to the Next Generation Network (NGN), as well as specific services and technical issues relevant to the NGN to include IPTV, VoIP, Network Security, and Data Interchange, among other areas.

About the ATIS TOPS Council

Established by the ATIS Board of Directors, the Technology and Operations (TOPS) Council identifies the industry’s most pressing technical and operational priorities, and coordinates standardization efforts industry-wide to produce interoperable, implementable, end-to-end solutions. The TOPS Council is composed of ATIS Board members and includes the leading CTOs and technology execs from the industry’s leading service providers and equipment manufacturers. To support its efforts, the Council establishes written work plans identifying areas of concentration for priority standards activities. Additionally, the Council oversees the progress toward completion of the work plans, as ATIS and other standards organizations execute the necessary standards work.

About ATIS

ATIS is a leading standards development and technical planning organization that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach. Participants from more than 300 communications companies are active in ATIS’ 23 industry committees, Incubator Solutions Program, and other activities. www.atis.org