CHAPTER 1

THE INDUSTRY

Public switched telephone

network (PSTN)

Primary characteristics
analog access, 300-3,400 Hz;
circuit-switched duplex connection;
switched bandwidth, 64 kbps, or 300-3,400 Hz
for analog exchanges;
immobility or, at best, very limited mobility; and
many function in common with another bearer
network i.e. Narrowband Integrated Services
Digital Network (N-ISDN).

In the 60s

Certainly a physical network

Dial telephones
First modems to be used for data transmission (300 or
600 bit/s)
Telefax
The access network was referred to as the local network.
(copper wire)
Attenuation problem (pulse code modulation (PCM)
systems )

The 21st Century

PBX (Private Branch Exchange)

It is a switch station
for telephone
systems.
takes over the role of
telephonist
connected to the
group selector of the
local exchange and
not to its subscriber
stage.

PBX
Users of the PBX share a certain number
of outside lines for making telephone calls
external to the PBX
Easier to call someone within a PBX
because the number you need to dial is
typically just 3 or 4 digits.

Dial up Modem

converted to analog signals (vice versa)

Stand-alone modems complying with ITU-T
Recommendation V.24.

cont
Important teleservices provided by a PSTN
fixed telephony;
cordless telephony, or "fixed telephony
with limited terminal mobility";
fax (via a built-in modem); and
data communication (via modem).

Why broadband?
Long connection set-up time
Must be disconnected for data
transmission.
The widespread installation of optical fiber
and modem developments in coding and
fault correction techniques

Fax
distributive service having only one
recipient.
Interest in broadcast and advertising
requirements for short delays

Centrex

several local offices naturally wishes to be

able to connect the different local PBXs
(or centrex groups) with one another.

Compression and Modem Techniques To

Support Video-Telephony
limited bandwidth of the network
represents a bottleneck to the introduction
of video and multimedia services into the
PSTN
lack of a videophone standard

Teleworking
commonly used has been a telephone, a
fax and a computer with a modem
Can ordering or controlling other services
via its keypad or via the use of voice
recognition.
can be utilised for high-speed modems

Cordless
Telecommunications

replacing the cord between the telephone set

and the handset by a radio connection.
CT-0 (first generation) Capacity and interference
problems
CT-1 did not provide sufficient mobility.
CT-2 allowed private subscribers to use their
terminals from a number of telepoints.
CT-3 (digital cellular telephony) move freely
within a limited area. Handling outgoing and
incoming calls.
European Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications (DECT) and the Japanese
Personal Handy-phone System (PHS).Two
established standards exist today

DECT
can also be used for cordless access to NISDN and GSM.
ability to reach several networks from a single
terminal.
specified interfaces to different networks, and
interworking between them can be established
through intelligent network (IN) functionality
and signaling system No. 7 (SS7).

THE ROLES OF TELECOMMUNICATION

MARKET PLAYERS
End-users - "the consumers" - are those
utilising the telecommunications
services.They may be Residential or
Business Customer.
Information service providers sell their
information services to end-users.

cont

Network operators provide network services,

such as PSTN, ISDN and Public Land Mobile
Network (PLMN) services.
act as intermediaries in the supply of information
services and other value-added services to the
end-users and bill for what they provide.
Sometimes with specialised roles (access network
operators or as transport network operators)

cont
Content providers produce the content of
the services offered to end-users by the
aforementioned service providers.
Such as films, music or database
information

Brokers
Service brokers combine services from a
number of service providers and then offer
complete service packages to end-users.
Content brokers can support service
providers in their selection of the contents to
be included in their services, or they can
support content providers in their attempts to
market their products to service providers.

cont
Capacity brokers act as dealers in the
distribution of capacity between the different
network operators.
Vendors of systems and equipment provide
the systems - including the hardware and
software - that are required for the
implementation and control of the various
services and networks.

STANDARDS-MAKING
ORGANISATIONS

Official sanctioned

cont
Ad-hoc
task forces, user groups, interest
groups, consortium,forum alliances, or
institutes.

Authorities
to protect the safety of the citizens;
to avoid technical barriers to trade in the
form of different national requirements;
and
to encourage the development of
technologies and markets.

Users
User interests in standardisation are as follows:
it must be possible to use different makes together;
products must be capable of being used worldwide;
competition between two or more suppliers makes a
product less expensive; and
cooperation during the standardisation phase
favours the choice of a good solution.

Suppliers
Suppliers' interest in standardisation:
competition on equal terms;
larger manufacturing volumes;
new or larger markets; and
more efficient research and development.

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER

the service provider gives you a software
package, username, password and access
phone number.
ISPs themselves are connected to one another
through Network Access Points (NAPs).
ISP is also called Internet Access Provider
(IAP), a company that provides access to
theInternet.