Quality trends and perspectives at beginning of the next millennium

The author discusses some key points of telecommunications development, with particular reference to the data in some countries during this century, focusing on those aspects that might be considered of importance. Emphasis is given to the new conditions and favorable circumstances, particularly after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Key issues to accelerate social and economic development, as a prerequisite and main factor for telecommunications development, are considered. Some attention is paid to the basis of the present degree of development, to the possible evolution of the customer demand and the new technologies, to the growing need of information transfer and processing capacity, and to the new aspects of quality of service