Kingston Communications (KC) provides a broadband network infrastructure to Service Providers (SP), enabling delivery of their services between the Service Platform and the service specific equipment in a customer premise. The network is capable of delivery of the following types of service:
- Virtual (IP)LAN services
- Streamed IP services including Interactive TV services
- Internet delivery services
This document sets out the scope and detail of the network access service, currently provided by KC.
The service is shown in concept form below in Figure 1. There are 2 fundamental access interfaces to the SP, a broadband fibre interface to the SP head End and a customer delivery end user access interface. Within the network connections, routing and Quality of Service (QOS) functions are carried out from within a Service Facility set. Delivery of the specific SP services may need only the appropriate parts of this available set. The network equipment employed by KC may provide services for multiple SPs. Each SP, however, is provided a unique logical Service Provider Network (SPN). The ADSL element of the network is subject to bit-rate and distance limitations, thus the requirements of the SP for the particular service will determine the achievable operating radius from the KC ADSL equipment based in the local serving exchange.
Figure 1
Service Provider/Server Access Interface
- IP over ATM (UNI)155Mb/s Single-mode fibre port(s) on a backbone router or switch
- IP over ATM (UNI) 622Mb/s Single-mode fibre port(s) on a backbone router or switch
- Other interfaces may be available subject to negotiation
- Connector types to be negotiated between KC and the SP
End User Access Interface
- IP over Ethernet (10BaseT)
- RJ 45 socket
- Other interfaces may be available subject to negotiation
Possible End User Terminal Equipment
- Set Top Box and Television
- Personal Computer (PC) running Internet browser and associated software and or with MPEG2 capability
- Digital Television Set with suitable network interface and interactive capability
- Local Area Network bridge, router or other LAN device
Network Services Set
A series of Network services are provided based on providing a unique virtual network for each SP. This network contains router functionality for IP traffic and a range of ATM virtual circuits. Within the virtual network a range of addresses, agreed between KC and the SP will be used. Multicast using Class D addresses is supported. Details of the logical service elements are at Schedule 1
The initial target customer base is intended to be broadband SPs or ISPs in the residential entertainment and information sector. The KV Broadband access system is inherently capable of offering a wide range of interactive services to SPs wishing to provide service to all residential telephony customers and businesses that are served by copper local loop cable.
The service will initially be available from the area covered by the KC PTO licence granted in 1987*. The Network service area of KV Broadband Access Service will be extended by the development of the KC network into the East Riding of Yorkshire. KC will be pleased to advise additional deployment areas in response to request. All ADSL delivery is subject to the caveat over distance related restrictions of service as mentioned above.
Tariffs to SPs will be subject to review. The tariff set is provided at Schedule 2 against specific illustrative SP requirements.
The service and tariff set have been developed to provide a platform for competing SPs to deploy new services on to the KV broadband network. KC will be happy to talk to SPs about their specific service requirements.
Interconnect with other networks is not part of this service.
Potential Service Providers will be notified by information released in general KC publicity and the web-site. SP End Users will be informed via the service providers' own normal channels.
* Licences granted by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to Kingston upon Hull City Council and Kingston Communications (Hull) PLC under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, granted on 30th November 1987
Schedule 1 To Kingston Vision Broadband Access Service Description
SP Technical Packages
1. ATM PVC Bandwidth Options
The KV Broadband Network Access Service provides
- Bandwidth required for video delivery from server to Set Top Box is approximately 4M Bits/Sec (constant bit rate). This represents the bandwidth of the MPEG-encoded video only, and does not include any protocol overheads.
- Bandwidth required for control from server to Set Top Box is low compared to the bandwidth required for the video.
- Bandwidth required for control from Set Top Box to Server should not exceed 256K Bits/Sec (variable bit rate).
2. End User control channel Characteristics
- Downstream delivery channel of up to 256 Kb/s - Variable Bit Rate (VBR)
- Upstream delivery channel of < 128 Kb/s - Unspecified Bit-rate (UBR)
Certain restrictions may apply with respect to distance related quality of service, which may result in the service offering being reduced, withdrawn or not offered at all for certain customers.
3. Network Functional Service Elements
The service capability of the KV Broadband network can be grouped into Logical Service elements (LSEs) and Logical Connection Service Elements (LCSEs)
4. Logical Service Elements (LSEs)
These services are essential to the functionality of services as described:
- LSE1 - Point to point bi-directional PVC. This provides the base connectivity for a control channel for a complex service or for an internet/LAN service in itself. A PVC is provided from the head end to the virtual router, and from the virtual router to each Service Termination device. This is a UBR service.
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LSE2 - Point to point bi-directional PVC structure. This is suitable for individual IP streams using unicast as in a VOD environment. There is 1 to 1 mapping of PVCs between the SP service access interface and the end user interface. This is a CBR service in the ATM domain. Typically, the SP will over-book bandwidth in the SP to Network interface. Quality management of services over these PVCs is the responsibility of the SP.
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LSE3 - AAL5 adaptation layer functionality required to deliver IP at the customer delivery end user interface.
5. SPN Logical Connection Services Elements (LCSEs)
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LCSE1 - PVCs will be established as required for the SP by KC.
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LCSE2 - This is a network Routing function. IP multicast service is available, using ATM VCs, dynamically set up and taken down in response to IGMP2 Join and Leave requests. This service is the basis of streamed media services such as Broadcast TV or Webcast IP streams being supplied to end users.
6. Initial SP Packages
The following packages are defined to demonstrate examples of service sets combined to provide the required functionality to a Service Provider. KC will be pleased to discuss provision of other service sets.
7. SP Package A Broadband Broadcast Video Service provider service set
SP IF: n x 155Mbps or n x 622Mbps, IP over ATM
PVC and SVC structure as per diagram and notes
CDEUA IF: IP, RJ 45 socket
ADSL circuit maximum IP delivery at 4.8Mbps all PVCs
Logical services: Connection services: LSE1, and LSE3
Logical services: LCSE1 and LCSE2
This network configuration delivers a control channel between the service Provider and each STB, based on the network routing function. Further, broadcast IP streams are multicast in the router function and are thus available to all service subscribers. The SP thus requires only a single multicast stream per broadcast channel at the SP IF. In the ATM structure, the source Multicast stream is a CBR service. LCSE1 service provides the initial configuration of the control PVCs required. The LCSE2 function enables VCs to be set up and taken down when not required to deliver the multicast into the STB.
8. SP Package B VOD Service Provider set
SP IF: n x 155Mbps or n x 622Mbps, IP over ATM
PVC structure as per diagram and notes
EUA IF: IP, RJ 45 socket
ADSL circuit maximum IP delivery at 4.8Mbps all PVCs
Logical services: Connection services: LSE1 and LSE3
Logical services: LCSE 1
This network configuration delivers a UBR control channel between the service Provider and each STB, based on the network routing function. In addition, a PVC is set up between the SP and each STB for the VOD service. The VOD channel is a CBR. The concurrent VOD stream service capability is defined as a QOS parameter and network bandwidth provided accordingly.
9. SP Package C Internet Service Provider set
SP IF: n x 155Mbps or 622Mbps, IP over ATM
PVC structure as per diagram and notes
CDEUA IF: IP, RJ 45 socket
ADSL circuit maximum IP delivery to agreed maximum IP data rate
Logical services: Connection services: LSE1 and LSE3
Logical services: LCSE 1
This network configuration delivers a UBR control or service delivery channel between the service Provider and each STB, based on the network routing function. The network PVC structure is set up in LCSE1.
10. SP Package D Combined Broadband Broadcast Video, Video on Demand and Internet/Web Service provider service set
SP IF: n x 622Mbs, IP over ATM
PVC structure as per diagram and notes
CDEUA IF: IP, RJ 45 socket
ADSL circuit maximum IP delivery at 4.8Mbps all PVCs
Logical services: Connection services: LSE1, LSE2 and LSE3
Logical services: LCSE 1 and LCSE 2
