In the first ten chapters of this book we considered various aspects of telecommunication networks: their components, how they are constructed, and the way that voice and data is carried. Now, in this final chapter we take a holistic view of how all the pieces are put together, how the end-to-end service provided to the users is managed, and how the networks are progressively enhanced and developed to take advantage of new technology. Specifically, the so-called next-generation network (NGN) concept is examined. It is hoped that by the end of this chapter readers will have gained an insight into the intriguing question raised in the Foreword to the book, that is, whether it is right to assume that all communications will eventually move onto the Internet.

Chapter Contents:

• 11.1 Introduction
• 11.2 Architecture
• 11.2.1 Commercial or service model view
• 11.2.2 Techno-regulatory view
• 11.2.3 Functional or logical view
• 11.2.4 Physical view
• 11.3 A holistic view of a telecommunication network
• 11.3.1 Logical multi-layered view of a Telco's networks
• 11.3.2 Physical view of the set of a Telco's networks
• 11.4 Quality of service and network performance
• 11.4.1 Introduction
• 11.4.2 Transmission loss and loudness in a PSTN
• 11.4.3 Transmission stability
• 11.4.4 Echo and delay
• 11.4.5 Digital errors
• 11.5 Operations
• 11.6 Network evolution
• 11.7 Next-generation networks
• 11.7.1 The NGN concept
• 11.7.2 Implementation of an NGN
• 11.8 Summary
• 11.9 Conclusion
• References

Inspec keywords: next generation networks; Internet

Other keywords: NGN; telecommunication networks; end-to-end service; next-generation network; Internet

Subjects: Other computer networks; Computer communications