So what will be the focus of other, future MSF certification programs? Ward says the MSF will be looking at Propositions 2 and 3 in the coming months, while Gallon notes there is "strong interest in other areas, such as SIP interfaces" between equipment in users' homes and the carrier network, "so there may be a push in this area."

    The MSF also plans to set up a permanent NGN test bed, with an as yet unannounced partner, so that interoperability and service test scenarios aren't limited to the GMI events. "Two weeks in five carrier labs has its limitations, so we're creating a permanent test bed," said Ward.

    Ward noted that the Forum is also preparing for GMI 2008, which will be adding IPTV and Web 2.0 services into the test mix. The outcome of that two-week "Test Fest" will be Release 4 of the NGN Guidelines.