Gateway signal transfer points: design, services and benefits

The authors discuss the gateway signal transfer point (STP) and the key services it performs in the formation and operation of global information networks. These services include basic service support and networkwide connectivity, a capability that will become more necessary in North America as networkwide features and services become available. Having defined the requirements and operations for the gateway STP, the authors examine the DMS-STP as one implementation. The prospect of future services and functions in the network is considered