NDLI: Applying a layered policy model to IP based voice services

Content Provider	IEEE Xplore Digital Library
Author	Sicker, D.C.
Copyright Year	2003
Description	Author affiliation: Dept. of Interdisciplinary Telecommun., Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO, USA (Sicker, D.C.)
Abstract	Traditionally, specific telecommunications services were essentially confined to certain types of networks; e.g., television over broadcast networks or cable and voice service over wireline or wireless networks. Regulations were built around the underlying infrastructure. The regulations imposed on these providers were as stratified as the networks and the services they carried. Convergence of services onto nontraditional platforms creates a dilemma where the rules no longer conform to the infrastructure. This creates inconsistencies and gives rise to problems such as: market, investment, and interconnection distortions, as well as universal service, accessibility (for the disabled) and public safety concerns. One of the most relevant of these services is voice, specifically voice over the internet protocols. While several authors have suggested alternative regulatory models to deal with these changes, these models tend to ignore important aspects of market power, network design and technology evolution. One proposed solution to this problem is based on a layered model similar to that used in the development of technical communications protocols. The consistency and modularity of such an approach may be a workable alternative to the current title-based policy. However, a layered model in and of itself is insufficient. A layered model solution must reflect the reality of network design and business arrangements, and, to be viable, it requires a transition policy to get there from the existing policy regime. Emerging policy must address the diversity of existing access technologies (e.g., cable networks versus common carrier wireline networks), the disparity within industry segments (e.g., ILEC vs. CLEC use of last mile) and the strong influence of present policy on these various segments when implementing a transition to new policy. It is important to realize that interconnection will remain at the core of any competitive telecommunications policy. There is always some physical or logical interconnection that must be resolved and this involves pricing. Without the correct incentives or obligations in place, providers will not be motivated to interconnect. The theory behind our model is to separate policy issues along what we see as logical boundaries; ones that make sense in terms of such issues as cost, technology and network design. The method we apply is simply to consider the problems of the existing policy and show how a layered model might be used to resolve them. As we move toward more fully converged networks, we will need to understand how best to revise policy. A general direction should be to simplify the rules and to minimize regulation where necessary. We believe that a layered model could provide this simplification. In previous work, the author described the general notion of a layered model for telecommunications policy. In this paper, we examine the application of this model for voice over Internet protocols. We begin by describing the existing policy environment. Next, we rationalize why a layered model makes sense in a converged environment. We then consider the transition into such a model and a number of associated issues. Finally, we apply this layered model to a few vexing policy problems. Specifically, we look at how a layered model allows us to frame the issue of voice over IP and the closely related issue of universal service in a consistent and logical manner.
File Size	372463
File Format	PDF
ISBN	0769518745
DOI	10.1109/HICSS.2003.1174335
Language	English
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Publisher Date	2003-01-06
Publisher Place	USA
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Rights Holder	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Subject Keyword	Cable TV Internet telephony Computer science Telecommunication services TV broadcasting Communication cables Wireless networks Investments Safety Web and internet services
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in