Phasing-in the universal broadband ISDN: initial trials for examining ATM applications and ATM systems

Many countries have started long-term planning for an intelligent integrated broadband network for all services-the universal broadband ISDN. This broadband ISDN is characterized by utilizing the synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) for transmission and the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) for multiplexing and switching. The recognizable interest associated with broadband applications and broadband systems is accompanied by elements of uncertainty (acceptance, demand, technology, organization, economy), the realization of ATM pilot applications as well as of ATM prototypes and ATM test networks is both advisable and urgent. The author deals exclusively with these two subjects