RACE testbeds and interconnection

To prepare for the introduction of IBC by 1995, telecommunications operators, vendors and service providers need to engage in trials and experiments to verify technology, user acceptance, quality of service (QoS) concepts, and compliance with standards and regulations. The requirements of the Internal Market and the growing internationalisation of communications imply that some trials and experiments must establish the interoperability of services. This establishment will account for a competitive cost-performance approach throughout the Community and world-wide. Already, several national testbeds have been or are being set up in several locations in Europe. These testbeds, supported by national or community programmes, are based on different technologies, have different objectives and lack trans-border connections. As a consequence it is desirable to identify common elements that form the basis for introducing IBC interoperability at all levels, and at the same time use current available networks to provide a first step for the introduction of IBC. Finally, while market trials are beyond the scope of RACE, the investigation of new applications and technology demonstration is one of the major RACE II activities