Generation Networks: Ngns Will So-Called

¶ … Generation Networks: NGNs

Will so-called 'Next Generation Networks" (NGN)s be a boon or a bane of future tech-savvy (and not so savvy) consumers? From a technical standpoint, an NGN is simply a "packet-based network where the packet switching and transport elements (e.g., routers, switches, and gateways) are logically and physically separated from the service/call control intelligence," enabling all types of services over the network to be supported, rather than a single service (Crimi 2). This includes voice, internet data, video and Digital TV -- all at once. "In other words, the ideal of the NGN is a one-stop shop for anything that needs to be broadcast. You could pipe all of your phone, internet and TV needs around an entire country within a single network architecture" (Cian 2010). The structural "clean separation between access, service, and communications session control within the Service Layer allows each type of session to be treated independently from the others" (Crimi 10).

As Microsoft and other software and hardware-based companies have resisted fostering network technologies that are not located in 'physical' space, the likely providers of NGNs in the future will be telephone and telecommunication companies. Bundling services for both phone companies is already common and NGNs are a natural extension of such offerings, as they add additional services to commonly-bundled packages (Crimi 3-4). "A unified and consistent NGN approach will help reduce costs by eliminating the inefficiencies of current service-specific, proprietary, and non-reusable solutions" for consumers if these companies can demonstrate their reliability (Crimi 10).

Using NGNs could theoretically be of great benefit to consumers because users would enjoy greater efficiency and 'one stop shopping' through facilitated convergence. However, many consumers are nervous about such networks 'putting all their eggs in one basket.' "The possibility of extremely damaging network crashes makes the average consumer "twitchy. And it's not just networks. A company that creates services for 3G networks might not be willing to invest resources in NGN without being able to test it out first" (Cian 2010). The greater the streamlining of services and providers, the greater the risk if there is a systemic failure.

But NGNs could also grant consumers greater flexibility, depending on how the market is structured: "One of the most important aspects of NGN is the deliberate separation of the access provider from the 'service' provider…the access provider…may be different than the service provider that provides you with various services, such as voice and video communication, e-mail, stock quotes, or other services…as a subscriber to cable services, you may elect to purchase voice (telephone) services from your cable company. In that case, your access provider and your voice service provider is one in the same. However, the NGN removes this restriction from you -- you have a choice. If you prefer to purchase voice services from another company…you have that option, too" ("What is the NGN?" NGN Service Provider, 2010). By allowing separation between services, consumers could gain more bargaining power within the new marketplace.

Superior use of existing services are also possible: "the user could, for example, use a mobile phone to talk on a phone, see a video feed on an LCD screen, collaborate on a document through a PC ('screen sharing' or 'application sharing'), and receive a file to a mobile handheld device, all within the context of a call to another person" ("NGN: Functional architecture," NGN Service Provider, 2010). This could improve business communication by enabling more effective use of videoconferencing without the use of cumbersome technology. Even residential consumers might find additional value in the use of more 'lifelike' use of mobile phones to interact in a multimedia, experiential fashion.