Corporate telecommunication networks: new trends and main integration issues

A new and strong interest is arising in Europe on the provision of advanced networking services and features to corporate telecommunication networks customers. The paper provides a description of the factors driving the transition from private networks based on dedicated links (e.g. leased lines) to private networks based on the public shared network. An overview of networking opportunities offered by the existing networks infrastructures (IN, ISDN) is provided. Limits and disadvantages of the reported solutions are identified. In this respect, emerging corporate networking scenarios are addressed, emphasising both concepts of “interoperability” and “integration”. The role of the public network operator (PNO) is pointed out because of its strategic impact on the future of corporate networks and on the market of customer premises equipment (CPE) (in particular, PABXs)