Next Generation Network Services: Technologies and Strate

Never before have communications technologies moved so quickly or changed so dynamically. The use of standard computing hardware and the influence of the Internet have lead to so-called next-generation networks.

This book explores the evolution to the new world of 'Next-Generation Networks' and services: The telecommunications industry is facing one of its toughest challenges yet - the transition from circuit-switched to packet-switched voice networks. Companies need to seize the opportunity of the convergence of voice networks and the Internet to deliver exciting and useful services. "Next Generation Network Services" explains technologies that have, and will influence this change, and brings together technologies such as softswitching, IP telephony, network directories and application frameworks.

Features:

• Fixed and wireless telephony.

• Internet technologies.

• Standards.

• Understanding business goals in implementing a next-generation telecommunications network.

• A forward look at future services via telecommunications networks and their implications.

• Network-based services and hosted solutions for customers from computer telephony integration (CTI) through to the rise of the Application Service Provider.

This book will interest telecommunications professionals as well as engineers who are working on current circuit-switched and future networks

Table of Contents

Preface.

Part I: Technology.

Introduction.

Circuit Switched Technologies.

The Transmission Infrastructure.

Intelligent Networks.

Mobile Networks.

Packet Switched Technologies.

Access Technologies.

Voice and Data Convergence.

Representing Information.

Directories More Than Just Information Storage.

Part II: Services, Architectures and Applications.

Introduction.

Intelligent Network Services.

Call Centres.

Internet Based Services.

Bringing it all Together- The New Network Architecture.

Part III: Implications.

Introduction.

Expectation and Realisation.

References and Further Reading.

Glossary.

Index