New Rules For Faster Networks

New rules on next-generation networks (NGN) are due to be finalised by the end of this year, a senior telecommunications official said.

Mohammad Al Ramsi, Manager for NGN at the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA), said a study is under way to unleash the power of fibre optics at homes and offices.

"The next-generation network shall be used to provide different types of services such as voice, internet, television and mobile as well. The study is in progress and we are targeting to complete it by the end of this year," Al Ramsi said.

Fibre optics offer communication speeds more than 700 million times faster than old telephone lines using copper wires.

The customer will be connected to the NGN through broadband interfaces such as fibre-to-the-home. That means the broadband subscribers will increase dramatically with the introduction of NGN. Mohammad Al Ramsi, manager for next-generation networks at the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority.

Fibre-to-home, which is more expensive than copper-based services, are now undergoing trials in many countries in the West.

But although internet telephony (VOIP) is one of the key services of NGN, the question on legalising its use in the UAE still hangs in the balance.

Al Ramsi would not comment on a time frame for its roll-out by licensed operators.

By the end of last year, the UAE had 245,000 copper-based broadband internet accounts, and 440,000 dial-up accounts using phone lines.

Unlike copper-based networks, the use and capabilities of fibre optic cables are radically different – and so are the rules, said the official.

Currently, the TRA is collating information and suggestions from telecom industry officials.

"Once we conclude the study, the regulations will be set based on what is suitable for the UAE market," Al Ramsi said.

In essence, NGN will promote high-speed internet, a trend that has threatened telephone operators and made them adapt to technological changes.

At the end of 2006, about 39.5 in every 100 residents in the UAE had internet connection (up from 16.8 in 2000), the highest in the Arab world, according to statistics.

With fibre connections, the numbers would be cranked up steadily, and internet connection will become like any utility, such as water and electricity.

"The customer will be connected to the NGN through broadband interfaces such as fibre-to-the-home. That means the broadband subscribers will increase dramatically with the introduction of NGN," he said.

Lighter Side

Fibres are widely used in illumination applications. They are used as light guides in medical and other applications where bright light needs to be shone on a target without a clear line-of-sight path.

In some buildings, optical fibres are used to route sunlight from the roof to other parts of the building. Optical fibre illumination is also used for decorative applications, including signs, art and artificial Christmas trees.

Swarovski boutiques use optical fibres to illuminate their crystal showcases from many different angles while only employing one light source