FIA Secretariat Report – Council meeting Tuesday 18th March 2008

Actions: Actions completed from previous meeting 1st February 2008 –

Membership: At the previous meeting I reported the m/ship number of 201 (inc. temp members notcoverted to full members) - Changes since then:

13/02/08 1 x resign – Corp B JPR Engineering Srvs (decided not to renew)

20/02/08 1 x resign - Corp A Data Path (pls resign)

13/03/08 1 x resign – Corp A CCL Fibres (not payment Oct inv. unable to contact)

13/03/08 1 x resign – Corp A Johnson Controls (as above)

13/03/08 1 x new - Corp A A-Tech Data Solutions

TOTAL –members 198*

* Of course this number is somewhat inflated as it still includes 9 TIA-B temp members who have not yetconverted to full membership.

4 have paid and become full Corporate members:

Major Electrical (7th Feb)Mills Ltd (7th Feb)Multinet (7th Feb)Sharpmark (20th Feb)

I suggest I take the following off the DB next week?

Bailey TeswaineBridon ITComtec Telecom & Data Ltd.FMS DataIntegrated Networked Sols Ltd.NightlakeQNET GroupSLData Ltd.WH Good Ltd.

PLUS – 4 x new members pending– pro-formas invoice sent:

2nd Jan – HellermannTyton Data Ltd. – CORP C12th Feb – Wachter Network Services – CORP A22nd Feb – Finevalley Communications Ltd. – Corp A28th Feb – Lectrique Ltd. – Corp A

FIA General Newsletter: Issue 87 was sent via email and in hard copy on 27th Feb. Presume next issue willappear in May?

FIA Qualification scheme: Letters to chase P. Sanders and S. Wheatley (of PR Power Installations Ltd.)Learner No. 050005 and 050006 – re unit feedback forms and proof of CPD (awarded Oct 06)

And

M. Rawlinson, L. Lythgoe and A. Sturdy (of Lythgoes Ltd.) Learner No. 050007, 050008 and 050009 – re unitfeedback forms and proof of CPD (awarded Oct 06) – were sent on 12th October.

Still no replies received to date.

I. Watson – Learner No. 050004 – proof of CPD accepted and the QS database has been updated.

FIA – Approved Installer Scheme: application and fee of £117.50 received 7th Jan from Hartwood ServicesLtd.

Only 2 referees details had been completed (both same company) – checked with PL who said can be samecompany but needs to be different installations/projects. I then spoke to J. Moore at Hartwood and he faxedover a new application that listed 4 referees (albeit all the same company).

Ack letter sent to Hartwood on 8th Jan. A letter and questionnaire was sent to all 4 referees on 8th Jan.

To date only 2 of these have been returned. I advised Julian last week and he is chasing up the 2 remaining.

Brand – Rex – application for Approved Training Provider: form and fee received October 2005. Askedto now complete and return audit template form. Chased a couple of times and then in July 2006 Sec spoketo Karen Morrey - they want to continue but have a few issues (premises, budget, workload) which they hopeto sort out in coming months.

Email sent to Carl Adshead of Brand-Rex on 18th Feb explaining the situation. NO reply – chased himagain on 17th March.

Telecoms 2008 – Olympia 24th & 25th September 2008: I spoke to Ian (Terrington Publications Limited -organisers of the show) on 14th Feb - 80% of the stands are sold. Costs are £168 per sq. mtr. There are somesmaller ones left- 5m x 3m – no discounts given to trade associations.

FIA Web site advertising: The current adverts expired on 29th Feb 2008:

Advertisers expired:

Whole site: Cablenet Trackmaster - £1500 + vatATP page – CTTS - £175 + vatAbout the FIA – GCL Ltd. - £175 + VAT

Join the FIA / Product Reviews / Approved Installers – all DMOPTICS – total £525 + vat

A letter to members was sent on 12th Feb re pages available and costs:

Sold to date:

Whole site: Cablenet Trackmaster - £1500 + vatATP page – CTTS - £175 + vatAbout the FIA – GCL Ltd. - £175 + VATApproved Installers – Major Electrical - £175 + vatLinbrooke - Whole site - £1500 + vat

TOTAL income: £3525 + vat (ads from 1st March 08 – 28th Feb 09)

Meeting dates & venues for 2008: 21st May prov. booked Leeds.16th July. Prov booked LondonAGM booked for 4th Dec in Towcester

NOTE: I shall be on holiday from Wed 23rd April – Thurs 1st May

Emailed to Council – 17th March

INSTALLATION DIRECTORS REPORT

18 March 2008

Approved Installer Scheme

Membership: No new members have taken up the scheme. Hartwood Services are going through theapproval process at the moment.

Lynx Networks; (members for 12 months) I spoke with Allan Bullen regarding database input from them andas yet they have not instigated the scheme owed to business as usual and a desire to integrate the schemewith their current practices. I shall visit Allan after Easter to see what the difficulties are and how we can help.

Allan has asked that their membership be renewed and I suggest we allow renewal but subject toimplementation within 6 months. This could be advised along with the renewal invoice.

I shall contact Lightguide to ensure that the scheme is in use.

Profile: Again I can only repeat that a greater commitment needs to be made by the FIA in raising the profileof the scheme it will never fly.

John Marson, Commercial Director - Report to the FIA council Meeting on Tue 18th March 2008

Actions

Promote FIA membership – In ProgressSuggest ideas for future promo of FIA - In Progress

Promotion of membership in progress and completed actions

The membership is down at the moment and we do need to raise the profile of the FIA to increase thenumbers. I am doing my best to raise the awareness of the FIA to all the companies I come in contact withand would ask all other Directors to do the same, although I’m sure you do anyway. We are finding it hard toretain members right now and I do not know why this is they tell me they have no need for the membershipanymore but will not give reasons beyond this.

I have a meeting with Network Centre on the 14th April , they have asked me to discuss how the FIAmembership can help them and I want to get the sponsorship from them for our seminars this year .

My mail shots and cold calling will continue each month.

Proposed new actions

Promote new membership

John MarsonCommercial Director.

For the attention of THE FIA COUNCIL ϕ TheCabling

Partnership

The IT cabling infrastructuredivision of

e-Ready Building Limited

The IT cabling consultants

e-Ready Building Lim

itedN

ext generation IT infrastructures

Date: 13th March 2008Our Reference: MG/MG/5234Your Reference:

REPORT FOR FIA COUNCIL MEETING 18th March 2008

ACTIONS

Completed• Remind temp members again re full m/ship - completed• Remove temp members (not joining) from web site - completed• Organise Newsletter - completed• Find Training contact in Brand-Rex - completed• Provide Sec with pages available re web site ads - completed• Report back to Council after 13th Feb meeting - completed

UnderwayGENERAL

• Visit Linbrooke if CT exams are required• Include in next NL info re newly formed TIA-B - partial• Use JC QS text for p. releases, article and Newsletter - action on John Colton• Work with PL and SH re selling new AIS to consultants

OngoingGENERAL

• Keep Council informed re progress of PSP - see below• Organise special Newsletter re PSP - see below• Finalise actions etc re PSP - see below• Promote FIA membership• Re-edit FIA documents - see below

Outstanding

None

FINANCIAL

I distributed accounts for February 2008 on 16th March 2008.

These show a YTD (February) profit of £2839.95. At the same time last year our loss was £3438.20. Liquidity inFebruary 2008 was £25790 c/f £18350.60 in February 2007.

WEB-SITE REPORT

fia-online.co.uk is functional at a 100% level.

Amendments have been made to de-clutter the ”intro pages”

If Council Members find pages that require amendment let me know.

For the information of Council Members:• all Council Meeting Minutes, attachments and lists of actions can be found at fia-online.co.uk/maa.htm;• it is no longer possible to access the FIA Members area without the correct password.

New levels of protection have been applied to allow “subscription” or “project-based activities” to be remainsecure. These have been applied to the Corporate and Associate Members access pages. Since 15th January2008 a new system of access has been implemented which requires membership number as “username” and“python73” as the password. This allows instant removal of access upon non-payment of fees.

These new access schemes will be applied to other areas such as AIS and TIA-B areas in due course.

The TIA-B web-site is located at fia-online.co.uk/TIA-B (see Annex C).

As reported at the last meeting, I have also added a site for the ISO/IEC JTC1 SC25 WG3 at fia-online.co.uk/ISOIEC.This was intended to be temporary but is a good alternative to the local server and the central IEC web-server during theWG3 meeting. This has the benefit that FIA Council members are able to access discussion documents - and there area few that affect optical fibre at this time.

I have also added a dummy site for the UKCPO at fia-online.co.uk/UKCPO. This demo site was createdfollowing criticism of their existing site at a recent UKCPO meeting. This area will be used a s a demo site forthe new work being undertaken in this area (see UKCPO).

TECHNICAL REPORT

TECHNICAL MATTERS

Technical Support Guides

Finally we have some good news on the matter of MM launch conditions. It would appear that all the ISO/IEC, IEC andUS TIA groups have agreed the way forward. We will use encircled flux as the metric and the shape of the encircled fluxenvelope for 50/125 and 62.5/125 at both 850nm and 1300 nm is now agreed.

This affects many things. Firstly it allows the updating of ISO/IEC 14763-3 (Generic cabling - Testing of installed opticalfibre cabling) - which started the whole debate. It also allows the publication of IEC 61280-4-1 - which is the mostgeneral MM testing document. However, these will not be published until late 2008 (if not 2009) and the industry needsthe information now in readiness for the changes to be implemented.

Council members will know that the FIA delayed their full support of BS ISO/IEC 14763-3 until these very detailedtechnical matters were resolved since they affect:• the PSP;• the production of test cords;• the contents of our TSDs and White Papers.

I think we are now in a position to move forward and the following actions, already agreed, will now be taken:• White Paper and new TSD: “What is a test cord?”; to include what we called “Reference terminations”;• White Paper: “Launch conditions for testing installed MMF cabling”;• White Paper “Test limits”;• Contact Andy Hallam regarding EF metric and limits and the Mode Controller (PSP);• Re-write TSD-2000-4-2-1 changing title “Testing MMF”: referring to ISO/IEC 14763-3 (inc A.1) and 61280-4-1 (Ed.2)

for MMF;• Re-write TSD-2000-4-2-2 changing title “Testing SMF”: referring to ISO/IEC 14763-3 (inc A.1) and 61280-4-2

(Ed.1).

We should get teams together to revise TSD-2000-2-1 “Optical Fibre Cabling: Cable Selection Guide” based on thecontent of our latest articles and White Papers (see below).

The re-edit of all documents is underway.• “TSD-2000-4-1-1: Optical Fibre Cabling: Installation Practice: Splicing” is being edited by Richard Ednay and myself;• “TSD-2000-3-3: Optical Fibre Cabling: Polarity Maintenance” will be replaced by references to EN 50174-1 in the

next few months;• I will update:TSD-2000-1-1: Optical fibre cabling: LAN Application Support Guide.

I am preparing a TSD-2000-2-3: Optical Fibre Cabling: Components: Cords as per the FIA Seminar presentation(September 2006) which can be found at (http://www.fia-online.co.uk/pdf/Presentation/L4906a-1.pdf).

I am preparing a TSD-2000-3-2: Optical Fibre Cabling: Documentation and administration.

BS/EN/IEC 60825-2 has been updated and The Health Protection Agency under the control of John O’Hagan has beencontracted to provide a non-binding guide to the Artificial Optical Radiation Directive for the European Commission. Thismay include a list of guidance documents produced by specific industries. The HPA are also keen to identify situationswhere employees are likely to be exposed to (artificial) optical radiation above the exposure levels given in the Directiveor where it is felt that employers will not know how to do the assessment required. This could influence the contents of are-written TSD-2000-5-1: Optical power: Safety Levels.

This work is summarised in the Table below which allows Jane to monitor progress.

Task Title ActionContact Andy Hallam Mike GilmoreWhite Paper What is a test cord? Mike GilmoreWhite Paper Launch conditions for

testing installed MMFcabling

Mike Gilmore

White Paper Test limits Mike GilmoreUpdate TSD TSD 2000-4-2-1 Mike GilmoreUpdate TSD TSD 2000-4-2-2 Mike GilmoreOrganise Team TSD 2000-2-1 Mike GilmoreUpdate TSD TSD-2000-4-1-1 Mike Gilmore/R.EdnayUpdate TSD TSD-2000-3-3 Mike GilmoreUpdate TSD TSD-2000-1-1 Mike GilmoreProduce TSD TSD-2000-2-3 Mike GilmoreProduce TSD TSD-2000-3-2 Mike GilmoreUpdate TSD TSD-2000-5-1 Mike GilmoreMinor edit TSD TSD-2000-5-2 Mike GilmoreMinor edit TSD TSD-2000-5-3 Mike Gilmore

White Papers

I have prepared two new White Papers and these have been uploaded to the web-site:• AN INTRODUCTION TO OM4• UNDERSTANDING OM1, OM2, OM3, OS1, OS2 and more!I also updated/corrected two others• PLASTIC OPTICAL FIBRE - IS IT FINALLY BECOMING A REALISTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS MEDIUM?• AN OVERVIEW OF SINGLEMODE OPTICAL FIBRE SPECIFICATIONS

I would like to canvass opinion re- a “Migration to SMF” white paper.White Paper on the general topic of marginal test results is already listed as an action but awaits the revision of TSD-2000-4-2-1 and 4-2-2.

UKCPO

I attended a meeting of the UKCPO hosted by the FIA on January 15th at the Marriott Hotel, Leeds.

The management of the Photonics KTN requires the FIA to produce a Standards Digest twice per year. I prepared thelast one for the period to 09/07 in September (the 57 page Standards Digest is based on the old Standards Forumdocuments and is to be found on the Standards Forum section of the web-site - and is therefore available to ourmembers as well).

In December 2007 I produced three Standards Activity Update Reports. These are to be found on the Standards Forumsection of the web-site - and are therefore available to our members as well. A further three such reports will beprepared by end of March 2007 which will allow the third Standards Digest to be prepared in March 2008.

These actions and other small matters will allow us to claim our £5000 funding per annum.

I joined a separate Working Group to rebuild the UKCPO web-site. This group met on 21st January 2008. No furtheraction taken at this time.

TIA-B

Project pages have now been completed

CMA are on board - Mike Daly has been approached to chair their Forum. However CMA are slow in identifying fourmmembership. This is delaying our work and this has been formally advised to Glenn Powell of CMA.

A meeting with BICSI took place on 13th February 2008. See Annex B for Minutes.Next main meeting: 16th April 2008

At the 13/02 meeting it was suggested that the TIA-B offer to organise the Telecomms 08 conference in exchange for afree-stand (to cover CMA, ECA-ITEC and FIA). Contacts have advised that the conference is already some way downthe road and this will not be possible this year - but they are interested for next year. Instead I have been asked topresent on behalf of the FIA (45 mins) and other speaker will present on behalf of the TIA-B.

SEMINARS

See TIA-B re Telecomm 08.

I spoke at the ANSI/CEN Interoperability Conference in Warsaw in February. However, there was little opportunity topush the FIA. However, some important people were met - useful for the future.

I have been asked to speak on behalf of the FIA at the BICSI Conference in Dubai in May. I am to host a Workshop (3hours) present at the Conference for 1 hour. In the words of the organiser “Mike is probably the best speaker that we willhave” (I am not sure whether that is a compliment to me or an insult to the rest) so I am going to make a special effort inbehalf of the FIA before that time. I need to update all the documents and prepare new ones in order to tempt newmembers for the Middle East sector.

Laurent Amestoy (ex Council member) will also be there.

EXHIBITIONS

I would recommend we book space at the exhibition on behalf of the FIA. However, I need to be sure we can man thestand effectively and present the FIA properly.

NEWSLETTER

General Newsletter Issue 87 was circulated in late February - its preparation was delayed pending the outcome of thediscussion on fibre performance in ISO/IEC JTC1 SC25 WG3.

ARTICLES

Networking+

I have written three more articles for Networking+. See Annex A.

Dates for this year are:• 08/05/08;• 09/06/08;• 24/07/08;• 08/09/08;

• 02/10/08;• 07/11/08;• 05/12/08.

NCNAIS

NTR.

APPROVED INSTALLER SCHEME

All software fully functional. Following April meeting of CLC TC215, work will have to be done to fully update thesupporting “help” information.

FIA QUALIFICATIONS

NTR

QUALIFICATION SCHEME

Web-site complete. The database for trainers, learners etc. has been developed and used to record the early datareceived.

STANDARDS ACTIVITY

BritishBSI STANDARDS MAKER FORUM

Last meeting: 11th September 2007 - M. Gilmore attended as TCT7 Chairman.Next meeting: tba - M. Gilmore to attend as TCT7 Chairman.

BSI GEL 86: TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: FIBRE OPTICS

Next meeting: 12th March 2008 - M. Gilmore and S. Reeves attended.Next meeting: 16th October 2008 - M. Gilmore attended as TCT7 Chairman.

New “fibre optics” specifications continue to be produced at IEC level. The following Committee Drafts are already onthe FIA Standards Forum web-page.

CD IEC 60825-17 Safety of laser products – Part 17: Safety aspects for use of passive opticalcomponents and optical cables in high power optical fibre communication systems

BSI GEL 86/1: SUB-COMMITTEE: OPTICAL FIBRES/CABLES

Last meeting: 5th March 2008 - M. Gilmore attended as FIA representative and TCT7 Chairman.Next meeting: 10th September - M. Gilmore.

New optical fibre and optical fibre cable specifications continue to be produced at IEC level. The following CommitteeDrafts are already on the FIA Standards Forum web-page.

CDV IEC 60793-1-47 Ed. 3.0 Optical fibres - Part 1-47: Measurement methods and test procedures - Macrobendingloss

FDIS IEC 60794-2-50 Ed. 1.0 Optical fibre cables - Part 2-50: Indoor cables - Family specification for simplex andduplex cables for use in terminated cable assemblies

CDV IEC 60794-3-10 Ed 2.0 Optical fibre cables - Part 3-10: Outdoor cables - Family specification for duct, directlyburied or lashed aerial optical telecommunication cable

CDV IEC 60794-3-20 Ed 2.0 Optical fibre cables Part 3-20: Outdoor cables - Family specification for self supportingaerial telecommunication cable

FDIS IEC 60794-3-30 Ed. 2.0 Optical fibre cables - Part 3-30: Outdoor cables - Family specification for opticaltelecommunication cables for lakes, river crossings and coastal applications

CD IEC 60794-5-10 Ed. 1.0 Optical fibre cables - Part 5.10: Family specification for outdoor microduct optical fibrecables, microducts and protected microducts for installation by blowing

BSI GEL 86/2: SUB-COMMITTEE: CONNECTING HARDWARE

This is a new membership for the FIA.

Last meeting: 18th December 2007 - M. Gilmore attended.Next meeting: 6th March 2008 - M. Gilmore and S. Reeves to attend.

New specifications continue to be produced at IEC level. The following Committee Drafts are already on the FIAStandards Forum web-page.

CD IEC 60875-1 Ed. 5.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Non-wavelength-selective fibre optic branching devices - Part 1: Generic specification

CDV IEC 61073-1 Ed. 4.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Mechanical splices andfusion splice protectors for optical fibres and cables - Part 1: Generic specification

CD IEC 61300-1 Ed. 3.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test andmeasurement procedures - Part 1: General and guidance

CDV IEC 61300-2-5 Ed. 3.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test andmeasurement procedures - Part 2-5: Tests -Torsion/Twist

CDV IEC 61300-2-48 Ed. 2.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test andmeasurement procedures - Part 2-48: Tests - Temperature -humidity cycling

CDV IEC 61300-3-7 Ed. 2.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and

measurement procedures - Part 3-7: Examinations and measurements - Wavelengthdependence of attenuation and return loss of single mode components

CD IEC 61300-3-9 Ed.2.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test andmeasurement procedures - Part 3-9: Examinations and measurements - Crosstalk

CDV IEC 61300-3-35 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test andmeasurement procedures - Part 3-35: Examinations andmeasurements - Fibre optic cylindrical connector endface visual and automatedinspection

CDV IEC 61300-3-43 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test andmeasurement procedures - Part 3-43: Examinations and measurements - ModeTransfer Function Measurement for fibre optic sources

CDV IEC 61314-1 Ed.3.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Fibre optic fan-outs -Part 1: Generic specification

CDV IEC 61753-031-3 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components performance standard -Part 31-3: Non-connectorised single-mode 1xN and 2xN non-wavelength-selectivebranching devices for Category U - Uncontrolled environment

FDIS IEC 61753-082-2 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components performance standard -Part 082-2: Pigtailed single-mode fibre optic 1,31/1,55 µm WWDM Devices forcategory C - Controlled environment

CD IEC 61753-121-2 Ed.1.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Terminated CableAssemblies - Part 121-2: Performance standard for simplex and duplex cords withsinglemode fibre and cylindrical ferrule connectors for Category C - controlledenvironment

CD IEC 61753-121-3 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Terminated CableAssemblies Part 121-3: Performance standard for simplex and duplex cords withsinglemode fibre and cylindrical ferrule connectors for Category U - uncontrolledenvironment

CD IEC 61754-20-11 Ed.1.0 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Fibre optic connectorinterfaces - Part 20-11: Interface standard for LC connectors with protective housingsrelated to IEC 61076-3-106

CD IEC 61754-24 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic connector interfaces - Part 24: Type SC-RJ connector familyCDV IEC 61754-24-11 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic connector interfaces - Part 24-11: Interface standard for SC-RJ connectors

with protective housings related to IEC/PAS 61076-3-117CDV IEC 61754-24-21 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic connector interfaces - Part 24-21: Interface standard for SC-RJ connectors

with protective housings related to IEC 61076-3-106

BSI GEL 86/3: SUB-COMMITTEE: SYSTEMS

Last meeting: 7th March 2007 - M. Gilmore did not attend due to travel conflicts.Next meeting: tba - M. Gilmore to attend.

New optical fibre system level specifications continue to be produced at IEC level and are logged on the FIA StandardsForum web-page as appropriate.

CDV IEC 62148-11 Ed. 2.0 Fibre optic active components and devices - Package and interface standards - Part11: 14-pin active device modules

CDV IEC 62148-15 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic active components and devices - Package andinterface standards - Part 15: Discrete vertical cavity surface emitting laser packages

CDV IEC 62149-2 Ed. 1.0 Fibre optic active components and devices - Performance standard - Part 2: 850 nmdiscrete vertical cavity surface emitting laser devices

CDV IEC 62149-5 Ed. 2.0 Fibre optic active components and devices - Performance standards - Part 5: ATM-PON transceivers with LD driver and CDR ICs

CDV IEC 61291-6-1 Ed. 1.0 Optical amplifiers - Part 6-1: Interfaces - Command set

BSI TCT7

Last meeting: 5th December 2007- M. Gilmore to chaired, L. Funnell did not attend.Next meeting: 4th June 2008 - M. Gilmore to chair, L. Funnell to attend.

BSI TCT7/-/1

Last meeting: 8th January 2008 - M. Gilmore chaired.Next meeting: 25th June 2008 - M. Gilmore to chair.

BSI TCT7/-/2

Last meeting: 13th November 2007 - M. Gilmore chaired joint meeting with TCT7/-/1.

BSI TCT7/-/3

Last meeting: 27th February 2008 - M. Gilmore chaired.Next meeting: 29th April 2008 - M. Gilmore to chair.

Work is underway on “BS 8492: Telecommunication equipment and telecommunications cabling - A Code of Practice forfire performance, prevention and protection”.

Experts are ready to revise both BS 6701 and BIP0007 when EN 50174-1 Ed.2 and EN 50174-2 Ed.2 are ready forpublication.

EuropeanCLC TC215

Next meeting: 9th April 2008, Brussels, Belgium - M. Gilmore to attend.

CLC TC215 WG1

Last meeting: 28th/29th January 2008, Darmstadt, Germany - M. Gilmore chaired.Next meeting: 7th/8th April 2008, Brussels, Belgium - M. Gilmore to chair.

CLC TC215 WG2

Last meeting: 30th/31st January 2008, Darmstadt, Germany - M. Gilmore attended as Secretary.Next meeting: 10th/11th April 2008, Brussels, Belgium - M. Gilmore to act as Secretary.

CLC SC64B WG218

Last meeting: 26th/27th February 2008, Berlin - M. Gilmore could not attend due to travel conflicts.Next meeting: 10th/11th December 2008, Barcelona - M. Gilmore attend.

ETSI ATTM (ACCESS, TERMINALS, WG AT2

Last meeting:• 7th February 2008, Turin, Italy - M. Gilmore could not attend due to travel conflicts.Next meetings:• 22nd -24th April 2008, Location TBA - M. Gilmore to attend.

InternationalISO/IEC JTC1 SC25

Last meeting: 7th September 2007, Jeju Island, Korea.Next meeting: 24th October 2008, France - S. Reeves to attend for FIA.

ISO/IEC JTC1 SC25 WG3

Last meeting: 18th/22nd February 2008, Spain - M. Gilmore attended.Next meeting: 20th/23nd October 2008, France - M. Gilmore to attend.

Key OF issues in February were:New optical fibre types: see Newsletter 87 and latest articles in Annex A.Agreement of luanch conditions for PDAM of 14763-3.

ISO/IEC JTC1 SC25 WG3 CITG

Last meeting: 19th/21st February 2008, Spain - M. Gilmore chaired.Next meetings: 6th/8th May 2008, Philadelphia, USA - M. Gilmore to chair.

Mike Gilmore

Annex A: Articles for Networking+

Class EA and FA cabling IS APPROVED – BUT IS IT A FALSE DAWN?

by

Mike Gilmore, Technical Director of the FIA

for Networking+ (February 2008)

February 2008 heralds the ratification of two important advances in the standardisation of generic cabling. The UnitedStates anticipates the publication of ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 Addendum 10 (also known as B.2-10). This containsAugmented Category 6 specifications for cables, connecting hardware and installed cabling. TIA/EIA-TSB155 showedhow existing balanced cabling could be characterised/assessed to determine its ability to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet,whereas B.2-10 defines component and cabling performance that guarantees that support. Internationally, the nationalbodies of ISO/IEC JTC1 SC25 WG3 have approved Amendment 1 to ISO/IEC 11801 Ed.2 which contains channelspecifications for Class EA and FA. Class FA channels go way beyond the existing Class F channels - specified forperformance up to 1000 MHz.

Class EA channels are essentially equivalent to Augmented Category 6 channels. However, they do differ in one specificcharacteristic. This renders the ISO/IEC specification more onerous and the guarantor of better performance.Unfortunately, this is confused by the fact that as yet ISO/IEC are unhappy to ratify the specification of both thecomponents required to produce Class EA and FA channels i.e. Class 6A and 7A components and the installed permanentlinks. This will be addressed with the publication of Amendment 2 to ISO/IEC 11801 Ed.2 which is hoped to becompleted early next year.

So, what does the customer who wishes to specify one of these high performance cabling systems today actually write inhis tender? The most stringent demand for 500 MHz cabling would be to require components and installed links to atleast meet Augmented Category 6 requirements but with a suppliers guarantee that resulting channels (using the correctcords) will meet Class EA. Of course. Central European countries would scoff at this and say one should simply specifyClass F, specified up to 600 MHz, a superset of Class EA, standardised since 2002.

But what will Classes EA, F and FA be used for and do we need them? All three will support 10GBASE-T, so if you want10 Gigabit Ethernet to the desk or in your data centre then you may take your pick. But beyond 10GBASE-T thesituation is less clear. Class FA certainly delivers substantially better performance than either EA or F - but is itnecessary? There are some that suggest that “broadcast” applications are the target audience for such cabling butothers see the long-term solution for the delivery of broadcast services to be implemented using existing applicationssuch as 1000BASE-T (supported over Class D channels). In the world of LAN strategies, IEEE are already working on40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s Ethernet standards which are not expected to be implemented at “useable” lengths over any typeof balanced cabling.

It is difficult at this stage to see the “killer app” that justifies the cost, installation complexity together with the cablingvolumes and weights (as most of these cables are of much larger than their predecessors) of these high-end products.Many large corporate users are opting for Class EA cabling (or at least Augmented Category 6) using the principle of “younever get fired for buying better than you currently need”. However, there are many others who have shunned anythingbeyond Class D. This latter group feel justified since Class E never delivered the above-mentioned “killer app” and that10 Gb/s Ethernet is better delivered using optical fibre. On the basis of current application development it will be at leastfive years before we find out who was right - and five years is along time in cabling.

Further information is available via the FIA web-site at www.fia-online.co.uk or directly via the TIA-B section at www.fia-online.co.uk/TIA-B. Enquiries can be e-mailed to jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk.or, alternatively, you can contact the FIASecretariat in 01763 273039.

NEW CABLED OPTICAL FIBRE CATEGORIES - PART I

by

Mike Gilmore, Technical Director of the FIA

for Networking+ (March 2008)

At their February meeting in Barcelona, ISO/IEC JTC1 SC25 WG3 proposed the establishment of two new optical fibretypes or Categories - one multimode and one singlemode. In terms of standardisation, it is unlikely that changes to thelist of “OM”s and “OS”s will take place before 2009. However, it is likely that marketing literature will contain the newdesignations quite soon and it may be useful to provide advance information for specifiers and installers alike.

The multimode variant, currently termed OM4, will provide twice the laser/VCSEL bandwidth of OM3 and is targeted toprovide greater useable distance and/or lower system implementation costs for the next generation 40 Gb/s and 100Gb/s Ethernet solutions that are currently in development. The FIA article in next months Networking+ will cover this isdetail.

The new “OS”, which currently has no designation, provides performance levels somewhere between those of OS1 andOS2 - and is explained below.

IEC 60794-2-11:2005 (and BS EN 60794-2-11:2005)Detailed specification for simplex and duplex cables for use in premises cabling

Optical Fibre Cables : Indoor cables

IEC 60794-2-21:2006 (and BS EN 60794-2-21:2006)Detailed specification for multi-fibre optical distribution cables for use inpremises cabling

IEC 60794-2-31:2006 (and BS EN 60794-2-31:2006)Detailed specification for optical fibre ribbon cables for use in premises cabling

Optical Fibre Cables : Outdoor cables

IEC 60794-3-12:2006 (and BS EN 60794-3-12:2006)Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical telecommunicationcables for use in premises cabling

IEC 60794-3-21:2006 (and BS EN 60794-3-21:2006)Detailed specification for optical self-supporting aerial telecommunication cablesfor use in premises cabling

Published cable standards containingOM1, OM2, OM3 and OS1 products

New editions, currently under development, also containing OS2 products

Optical Fibre Cables : Outdoor cables

IEC 60794-3-12Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical telecommunicationcables for use in premises cabling

IEC 60794-3-21Detailed specification for optical self-supporting aerial telecommunication cablesfor use in premises cabling

The discussions in Barcelona highlighted a numberof issues regarding the meaning of the OM and OSterminology. One of most confused areassurrounding the development of new OF types orCategories related to their “meaning”. Even thoughthey call the OM/OS scheme “OF types”, theinternational generic cabling standards make itclear that the designations OM1, OM2, OM3, OS1and OS2 relate to cable transmission performance.The BS EN 50173 series makes it even clearer bydescribing the OM/OS scheme as “optical fibrecable Categories”.

Both the IEC and EN committees havestrengthened this relationship in the production oftheir cable standards as shown in the inset. It canbe seen that OS2 is included only in the new60794-3 “outdoor” series standards. This isbecause OS2 was born in the industrial premisesstandard, ISO/IEC 24702, to support 5 km and 10km channels - which are by definition “outdoor”.More importantly, the low attenuation values of OS2are only realistic in loose-tube cables in which theoriginal optical fibre performance is almostunaltered by the cabling process (the same couldbe said of “blown fibre”).

The new singlemode variant reflects the need for an improved “indoor” singlemode optical fibre cable that is compatiblewith the OS2 product. Why is this needed?

Firstly, OS1 defines a very old specification - the original performance values came from ISO/IEC 11801:1995 andrequired the use of an optical fibre compliant with ITU-T G.652a or G.652b (IEC 60793-2-50 Type B1.1). The designationOS1 was introduced in 2002 but the performance requirements did not change - but OS1 allowed the use of singlemodeoptical fibre types meeting G.652c or G.652d (IEC 60793-2-50 Type B1.3). Secondly, by comparison, OS2 introduced in2006, requires the optical fibre to be compliant with ITU-T G.652c or G.652d only.

ITU-T G652c/d optical fibres are “low water-peak”, suitable for coarse wavelength division multiplexed operation, andspecified for transmission at 1310, 1383 and 1550 nm. ITU-T G652a/b optical fibres are not specified at 1383 nm.

As a result, the performance of OS1 cables is not automatically compatible with OS2 cables - the jointing of an OS1indoor cable to an OS2 outdoor cable would result in an unspecified performance of the whole channel at 1383 nm.Therefore a new specification is required for “indoor” cables that use ITU-T G.652c/d optical fibres. As indoor cablestend to be of a buffered, tight construction, the attenuation performance of OS2 is unlikely to be maintained - hence the

new OS designation. It is repeating that the new designation not agreed - it may be that the new designation replacesOS1 and therefore becomes OS1:2009 for example.

Further information is available via the FIA web-site at www.fia-online.co.uk Enquiries can be e-mailed tojane@fiasec.demon.co.uk.or, alternatively, you can contact the FIA Secretariat in 01763 273039.

NEW CABLED OPTICAL FIBRE CATEGORIES - PART II

by

Mike Gilmore, Technical Director of the FIA

for Networking+ (April 2008)

At their February meeting in Barcelona, ISO/IEC JTC1 SC25 WG3 proposed the establishment of two new optical fibretypes or Categories - one multimode and one singlemode. In terms of standardisation, it is unlikely that changes to thelist of “OM”s and “OS”s will take place before 2009. However, it is likely that marketing literature will contain the newdesignations quite soon and it may be useful to provide advance information for specifiers and installers alike.

The new “OS”, which currently has no designation, provides performance levels somewhere between those of OS1 andOS2 - and was introduced in last months FIA column in Networking+.

The multimode variant, currently termed OM4, will provide twice the laser/VCSEL bandwidth of OM3 and is targeted toprovide greater useable distance and/or lower system implementation costs for the next generation 40 Gb/s and 100Gb/s Ethernet solutions that are currently in development.

While there is clear logic for a new OS designation, as discussed last month, the case for a new OM is more to do withstate-of-the-art a la “Category 6A” etc. It is recognised that while OM3, introduced in 2002, represented a significantdevelopment in terms of bandwidth of multimode optical fibre, the performance levels attained by premium productstoday are significantly in excess of that milestone. Manufacturers have long since been describing their products asOM3+, enhanced OM3 or equivalent. Of course there is no basis for comparison for their individual claims and OM4would provide a benchmark for such products.

That in itself does not always justify a new “Category” - although it sometimes seems to be enough in the balancedcabling arena. It is also considered important by the cabling standards bodies to offer that performance uplift to anapplication that can then demonstrate its benefits. This is what happened for OM3 cabled optical fibre performancewhen IEEE used it as their 300 metre mapping of 10GBASE-SR. In line with that practice, the further improvedbandwidth performance designation “OM4” has been offered to both IEEE and Fibre Channel.

Unfortunately, the questions raised by this offer begin to grow in number as the detail of the offer is analysed. It isgenerally true that that increased bandwidth would offer greater distances of support for current networks - but that willprobably not be of interest to the applications committees who rarely if ever re-visit already published standards (forexample we have no standards-based support for 1000BASE-SX over OM3). The main hope is that the newperformance specification may be of interest to new applications, currently in development, such as 40 Gb/s and100 Gb/s Ethernet. The benefits may be either that the distance of support over multimode optical fibre may beincreased or that the number of parallel optical fibres required (currently four in each direction for the 40 Gb/s application)may be reduced. However, there are many that cast doubt on these hopes, intimating that the equipment providersobjective is to reduce the cost of the VCSEL/laser sources, loosening performance tolerances, which may negate anybenefit obtained for the higher bandwidth optical fibre cables.

1500 500 20001500 500 4700

500 500 Not specified200 500 Not specified1.53.5

1.53.51.53.51.53.5

OM1OM2OM3OM4

1300 nm850 nmCategory 1300 nm850 nm 850 nm“Laser” launchOver-filled launch

Maximum cableattenuation

(dB/km)

Minimum modal bandwidth(MHz.km)

Nevertheless, history has proved that once a new “Category” of anything is discussed, even at an elementary level, it willbecome a reality in due course. The current proposals are shown in the Table above (alongside all the other OMspecifications). It has at least been agreed that the new specification products have to be backwards compatible with theexisting OMs – only the laser launch bandwidth is different - although there may be many twists and turns ahead.

Further information is available via an White Paper on the FIA web-site (www.fia-online.co.uk). Enquiries can be e-mailed to jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk.or, alternatively, you can contact the FIA Secretariat in 01763 273039.

Annex B: TIA-B

Hosted by

Document Source: Mike Gilmore, FIA Date: 15th February 2008

SUBJECT: MINUTES OF TIA-B DIRECTORS MEETING13TH FEBRUARY 2008LOCATION: ROOM 407 (BOULTON), INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS,

116 PALL MALL, LONDON, SW1Y 5ED

Attendees:

TIA-B NomineesFIA: Mike Gilmore, Technical DirectorECA-ITEC: David Stefanowicz: Technical ManagerCMA: Glenn Powell, Chief Executive

Mike Daly: TIA-B Forum leader

Others:Andrew Stevens Managing Director CNET Training

UK Director of BICSI(attendance related to the BICSI topic detailed below)

Agenda

The agenda below had been circulated by Mike Gilmore (MG/MG/L5230) and the meeting generally followed the ordershown.

Time Item Responsible

2.00pm Opening remarks MG, GP, DS2.15pm The role of the TIA-B re- qualifications MG, DS

Update on the internationalisation of BICSI Andrew StevensTIA-B proposals for national Annex to BICSI qualifications toaddress knowledge of UK-specific requirements of standards andregulations

All

- Preparation of Annex- Assessment of competence

3.00pm Other qualification issues All

3.30pm Board members only MG, GP, DS- Any other business- Date of next meeting

Details of the meeting

Opening Remarks

Glenn Powell explained the relationship of CMA within BCS (as the Communications Management Forum within BCS –not to be confused with the IT Forum). The Forum Panels within CMA operate as the relevant Forum within BCS. Glennrecalled the success of the previous Networking Forum headed by Barry Kerswell and then introduced Mike Daly as theleader of the CMA Infrastructure Forum.

Mike Daly conformed that he would manage the CMA Infrastructure Forum and that he would focus on ensuring thatCMA members had appropriate guidance in the development and implementation of contracts at the infrastructure level.One of the aspects of that activity would be to provide input to and review from the TIA-B.

Hosted by

Glenn Powell and Mike Daly confirmed that the initial activity for the C<MA was to identify those CMA members who hadan interest in telecommunications infrastructure and from that group to create a Forum Panel. This should as a matter ofcourse include Alan Bullen who had been Director of the CITA and had joined CMA to attempt to provide continuity forthe ex-CITA members in the area of telecommunications infrastructure.

Mike Gilmore and David Stefanowicz welcomed the decision and looked forward to fruitful relationship with CMA.

The role of the TIA-B re- qualifications

It was stated by all the TIA-B directors that not was not the intention of the TIA-B to create qualification or qualificationsystems. However, the FIAS and ECA-ITEC were keen to recognise qualifications where they were deemed relevant.

Mike Gilmore explained that the FIA recognised a wide range of existing qualifications within its Qualifications Scheme –these ranged from nationally recognised qualification such as C & G through to manufacturer-specific courses. However,the latter were only recognised as part of CPD. An FIA White Paper concerning BICSI qualification placed the BICSIqualifications (specifically the RCDD) in the category of recognised CPD since it was felt there was a gap between whatthe RCDD qualification provided and the requirements of the base UK and European standards in relation to theinstallation practice.

The FIA hoped that the TIA-B could provide a vehicle for the closing of this gap by the development by BICSI of anational-specific element to their qualification - with which the TIA-B would be keen to assist. This could even act as atemplate for the BICSI in other countries.

Update on the internationalisation of BICSI

Andrew Stevens introduced BICSI and recounted the work of Steven Banks (Nightlake) in the area of internationalisationof the BICSI qualifications.

TIA-B proposals for national Annex to BICSI qualifications to address knowledge of UK-specific requirements ofstandards and regulations

Mike Gilmore commented that the process of internationalisation was different to that of nationalisation – the target of theTIA-B.

Andrew Stevens suggested that the TIA-B establish a project team in order to review current and planned RTCDDdocumentation with a view to submitting comments as part of the Next Generation qualifications.

This was agreed to be a useful starting point and that Mike Gilmore would contact Andrew Stevens off-line to determinethe exact way forward prior to involving the wider membership of the TIA-B hosts.

At this point Andrew Stevens left the meeting in order to allow the remaining business of the TIA-B hosts to becompleted.

Any other businessItem 1: Mike Gilmore advised all that the web-site was receiving hits and that all hosts needs to be happy with thecontent of their pages.Item 2: Telecoms 08 (24th/25th September): Mike Gilmore pointed that the Organisers Plan for the show contains a"Seminar Hall". It was suggested that the TIA-B could run the seminar session for the show (free-of-charge) as part of itsannual roll-out of technical presentations for 2008-2009. This could therefore be a win-win situation both for the TIA-Band the Telecoms show itself.In an ideal world the TIA-B could obtain a free-stand in return. Initial enquiries had not been favourable to the free standissue but Mike Gilmore would pursue the issue via Rob Shepherd at NCN (a sponsor of the show).Item 3: Mike Gilmore to re-circulate existing TIA-B sanctioned projects to Mike Daly now that CMA were formally on-board.

Date of next meetingNo dates were set but it was agreed that regular meetings should be held. Mike Gilmore was asked to act as TIA-BSecretary in order to ensure that progress was maintained across TIA-B and related host activities.

The meeting closed at 4.00pm