Press releases
IET takes leading role in UK communications sector
22 October 2008
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is taking a leading role in the UK’s communications sector, as it becomes the host organisation for the relaunched NICC (Network Interoperability Consultative Committee).
NICC was set up in the early 1980s as a regulatory committee reporting to Oftel. It has been the forum for setting standards for technical interconnect and interoperability issues for UK networks since the introduction of competition in the UK communications sector.
The relaunched NICC will now be an independent organisation owned and run by the UK communications industry and marks the point when it ceases to be a regulatory committee.
The IET’s role as host organisation also includes providing a secretariat function. The IET already performs a similar role for other industry bodies, notably for the electrical wiring regulations, so NICC will be able to benefit from the IET’s considerable expertise.
Nick Canty, NICC company secretary and IET publishing director, said, “Communications has been the mainstay of the IET since it’s inception in 1871, so it’s a natural progression for us to become such a major part of NICC. It will strengthen our technical expertise in this area and allow the IET to monitor, shape and influence the future of the communications industry.”
NICC is led by Chairman, Professor Sir John O’Reilly, a former President of the IET and Vice Chancellor of Cranfield University. Professor Sir John O’Reilly said, “Under these new arrangements NICC will be owned and run by its members – the main players in the communications industry.
“I am particularly pleased that the IET is taking an active role in the standards development process and have agreed to host NICC. We hope to exploit the resources and expertise of the IET to improve the level of support that NICC provides to working groups, which are made up of industry experts.”
The first AGM of NICC, under the new arrangements will be held on 23 October at the IET’s London home, Savoy Place.
Member organisations of NICC include the likes of BT, Cisco, Cable and Wireless, Orange and Vodafone.
For more information, visit www.nicc.org.uk.
Media enquiries to:
Robert Beahan
IET Press Officer
T: +44 (0)1438 767336
M: +44 (0)7595 400912
E: rbeahan@theiet.org
Mary Donovan
IET Head of Communications
T: +44 (0)1438 765587
M: +44 (0)7725 498117
E: mdonovan@theiet.org
Notes to editors:
- The AGM will be followed by a drinks reception hosted by Ofcom. If you would like to attend, please email rbeahan@theiet.org.
- The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a world leading professional organisation, sharing and advancing knowledge to promote science, engineering and technology across the world. For more information, visit www.theiet.org.
- The IET dates from 1871 and has 150,000 members in 127 countries with offices in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
- The IET licenses EngTech, IEng and CEng; is supporting the Engineering Diploma and developing the new ICTtech and accredits more than 160 undergraduate courses in the UK.
- The IET operates IET.tv, a web TV service which covers a wide range of engineering and technology events and content. For more information, visit www.iet.tv.
- The IET celebrates 100 years at its London home, Savoy Place, in June 2009 and will be staging a programme of centenary celebrations.