Future Core Network Concept Phase Technology Study

The key challenge for this project was to provide evidence to support early lifecycle decisions that may have significant impact on through life costs and capability management. The key output from the study was to provide a technology management strategy, which enabled the FCN IPT to utilise the abilities of commercial industry to adopt new technologies.

RED managed the Future Core Network (FCN) Concept Phase Technology Study for the FCN IPT. The project used key RED resources in conjunction with a specialist team from Roke Manor.

The FCN was a new programme designed to investigate and recommend the future direction of Network services within the MoD. The FCN Concept Phase Technology Study had two principle parts:

• The identification of technologies for the FCN;
• A technology management strategy to support the ongoing evolution of the FCN.

The technology selection was required to identify technologies available for incorporation into successive FCN increments. Additionally, it was required to identify technologies currently at lower TRLs which will need development and MoD sponsorship in order to increase their maturity so that they are ready for insertion into the FCN at the appropriate time.

The technologies considered covered the breadth of the FCN, and included such fundamental approaches as fixed/mobile convergence and voice/data integration, and their embodiment in Next Generation Networks based on IP. Security was an important and fundamental aspect of the FCN, and was considered throughout the architecture and technology selection.

The key objective was the examination of technologies presented in a Technology Road Map, and accompanied by a programme of Research and Technology Demonstration to meet the needs of FCN deployment. A register of risks associated with the technology maturity and deployment was also developed.