Open issues regarding the universal application of ATM for multiplexing and switching in the B-ISDN

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is being considered as the primary choice for switching and transmission in future broadband ISDN public networks. Synchronous transfer mode (STM) based upon SONET and SDH standards would be used to build up the digital multiplexing hierarchy, while ATM would be used end-to-end throughout the transmission links and switching nodes of wide area networks for the transport of all forms of voice, data, and image traffic. An examination is made of the rationale for considering ATM as the basis for B-ISDN, and issues that indicate that a network based exclusively upon ATM as currently defined may not be optimal nor even achievable are discussed