Next generation access

Next generation access (NGA) is a replacement for existing communications access networks that will deliver unlimited broadband services.

This has three major implications:

1.NGA must have virtually unlimited capacity

2.There must be sufficient capacity both upstream and downstream, to upload as well as to download. Note: this does not mandate symmetry (the same available capacity both upstream and downstream) however it is likely that symmetrical services are the easiest way to deliver all the required capacity.

3.Available bandwidth should be irrespective of the distance between the subscriber and the network access point, i.e. there should be little to no attenuation.

NGA will be delivered via a fibre network, in the UK BT is taking responsibility for installing fibre across the UK with the aim of providing speeds of 100mb by 2012. Korea has had this sort of capacity for several years now, and there have been experiments in Holland and throughout Europe.

The extra capacity is changing the way people utilise broadband. Today it could mean on line medical diagnosis but the hope is it will transform businesses so making cloud computing pervasive and available to all - even for mission critical business software. It should also transform the consumer experience, anything and everything from downloading videos to uploading pictures of yourself into a clothes design service. It is up to us to define the possibilites without wishing to sound too trekky about it.

Unlimited broadband should deliver sufficient network capacity for the user to access all services available to them.

September 30, 2011

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