European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation

Company EUROCONTROL
Date 05.01.2011

EUROCONTROL, working in close collaboration with key partners such as ICAO, Eurocae, FAA, Air Navigation Service Providers and industry, is playing a central role in developing a global standard on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in ATM. The recent publication of Eurocae ED137A – “Interoperability Standards for VoIP ATM Components” marks a new milestone towards achieving this goal.

Early this year, EUROCONTROL launched the VoIP Implementation and Transition Expert Group (VOTE) to support the European-wide ATM voice communications transition towards VoIP. VOTE activities are essential in facilitating the future deployment of VoIP, especially on the Ground Radio Systems.

EUROCONTROL also developed a VoIP in ATM test specification which is now the starting point for independent verifications on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean as required by ICAO. In Europe, EUROCONTROL, together with SESAR partners, is working on the validation and verification of VoIP in ATM over the Pan European Network (PENS). On the other side of the Atlantic, FAA is considering this for the future evolution of the U.S. next generation voice communications system.

ICAO Aeronautical Communication Panel Working Group I, responsible for the development of the ICAO Aeronautical Telecommunication Network over the Internet Protocol Suite (IPS) standards, is now in the process of completing the inclusion of the VoIP requirements into the ATN/IPS Manual by making reference to ED137A.

“Initial operational capability of VoIP in ATM in Europe is expected by January 2013. Behind the technology migration, VoIP will help to reduce significantly overall communication costs by cutting the expensive maintenance and operational cost of analogue voice circuits and will bring the appropriate flexibility required for the implementation of the Functional Airspace Blocks by enabling dynamic sectorisation solutions”, said Bo Redeborn, Director Cooperative Network Design.

For further information, please contact:
Kyla Evans/Catherine De Smedt, Tel: +32 2 729 50 95

Email: press@eurocontrol.int

For more information via the website: www.eurocontrol.int

Contact

EUROCONTROL
EUROCONTROL Headquarters
Rue de la Fusee
are based in Brussels,
Belgium
96 B-1130