The intelligent network-fact or fantasy?

Some of the facts about intelligent networks (IN) are listed, along with an assessment of the hopes of IN that have not yet materialised. The intelligent network combines applications provided on computers with telephone switching networks. Development in the IN has focused on providing an evolving service-independent architecture that allows new services to be delivered quickly to networks. The author finishes by looking at some of the key issues to be solved to allow the goals of IN to end up as facts rather than fantasies