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1. Proposed liaison presentation to SC6in relation to liaisons betweenIEEE 802.11 WG and ISO/IEC JTC1/SC9 May 2011 Authors:

2. How can cooperation between 802.11 WG & SC6 be improved based on the PSDO between IEEE & ISO? PSDO provides basis for cooperation 802.11 WG & SC6 both support cooperation How can cooperation be improved? • The PSDO agreement provides for cooperation between SC6 & the IEEE • The 802.11 standard meets the standard of “global recognition and use” • The 802.11 WG continues to support an ongoing relationship with SC6 • The relationship between 802.11 WG & SC6 has been supported in a variety of ways • How can the formal liaison process between the 802.11 WG and SC6 be improved? • Do SC6NBs want to continue receiving Sponsor Ballot drafts from 802.11 WG? • Does SC6 believe it needs to ratify IEEE 802.11 standards?

3. The PSDO agreement provides for cooperation between ISO/IEC & the IEEE • The PSDO enables liaison and cooperation between ISO/IEC and IEEE in a variety of fields • PSDO is documented in SC6 document list as N13520 (Feb 2008) • It specifically notes cooperation between 802.11 with ISO/IEC JTC1/SC6 • Note: a new version has just been signed - JTC1 N10589 • The PSDO states the agreement is consistent with ISO Council policy • of inclusiveness and encourages cooperation between ISO and other standardizing bodies • where such cooperation would serve to ensure effective and efficient use of resources available for standardization activities • The PSDO also recognises the IEEE as an international SDO • IEEE develops many standards that achieve global recognition and use

4. The 802.11 standard meets the standard of “global recognition and use” • The 802.11 WG has defined the standard over a period of 21 years • 16 amendments have been issued since the first standard was released • 8 amendments currently in development • Base standard Revisions were issued in 1997, 1999, 2003, 2007 • The 802.11 standard is internationally recognised • The standard is specified worldwide by governments & commercial enterprises • ISO/IEC JTC1 has ratified the base standard and various amendments • The 802.11 standard is used throughout the world • Almost one billion new devices per annum support the 802.11 standard • Most of these devices are certified for interoperability by the Wi-Fi Alliance

5. IEEE 802 continues to support an ongoing relationship with SC6 • IEEE 802 appreciates its ongoing relationship with SC6 for matters of mutual interest • Mainly wireless and wired WANs, MANs, LANs and PANs • A strong relationship between IEEE 802 and SC6 enables: • SC6 NBs to provide input during the development of the internationally recognised IEEE 802.11 standard • Both SC6 and IEEE to provide expert comments on the work of the other organisation • Enables each organisation to avoid duplication of efforts by their respective committees (source: PSDO) • Options for mutual recognition of the standards developed by each committee

6. The relationship between 802.11 WG & SC6 has been supported in a variety of ways • Historically 802.11 standards were submitted standards for ratification by JTC1 • Traditionally they were submitted through the UK NB • With the PSDO, information has been transferred between the two SDOs used a variety of methods • Appointment of liaison officers • Formal liaison documents between the two SDO • Most formal liaisons have been authored by 802.11 WG • Release of 802.11 draft standards/amendments by 802.11 to SC6 • Attendance at meetings • IEEE 802 representatives have attended SC6 neetings • Individuals from NBs have attended IEEE 802.11 WG meetings as individuals

7. How can the formal liaison process between the 802.11 WG and SC6 be improved? • Over the last two years the IEEE 802.11 WG has liaised over 10 documents to SC6 • Only one document or response has been formally sent by SC6 to IEEEE 802.11 WG in that time • N14194 is only formal response from SC6 • A number of responses have been received from SC6 NBs but it is difficult to know whether they represent an official SC6 position • This situation is partially caused by different time scales of the two organisations • IEEE 802.11 WG meet every 2 months, whereas SC6 meets every 9 months • How can the two SDOs improve the current situation to allow the 802.11 WG to determine the SC6 position

8. Does SC6 want to continue receiving Sponsor Ballot drafts from the 802.11 WG? • The IEEE 802.11 WG has liaised most drafts at Sponsor Ballot level to SC6 since Jan 2010 • The goal of the liaisons is to ensure SC6 NBs an see 802.11 WG standards before they may be sent to SC6 for ratification • The liaisons all included an invitation to provide comments • As of May 2011, no technical comments have been received from any NBs • The IEEE 802.11 WG believes that the lack of technical comments from SC6 NBs shows confidence in the IEEE 802.11 standards development & maintenance processes • Do SC6 NBs value receiving Sponsor Ballot drafts from 802.11 WG?

9. The 802.11 WG has liaised most Sponsor Ballot drafts to SC6 since early 2010

10. Does SC6 need to continue to ratify 802.11 standards? • The 802.11 WG intends to submit 802.11-2011 to JTC1 as a new base standard for ratification using the PSDO defined process • 802.11-2011 is likely to include all ratified amendments and 802.11s • It is unclear that JTC1 ratification is actually needed • The PSDO already recognises many IEEE standards as having global scope • This was recently noted in N14611 in relation to IEEE 802.3 • The SC6 NBs have shown confidence in the IEEE 802.11 WG processes by their lack of comment on Sponsor Ballot drafts • Does SC6 believe it needs to ratify IEEE 802.11 standards, given they are already have international status and acceptance?