British Telecom´s approach to the intelligent network

The intelligent network (IN) concept embodies an open architecture which offers network operator´s the ability to readily and economically create new network services and subsequently modify them in line with the specific needs of customers. The key elements of the concept which enable this flexibility are: elemental capabilities called service or functional components (FCs) which can be combined in various ways to generate new services; and open interfaces between the various elements of the IN. To implement a full IN2 architecture in the BT network will require major enhancement to the switching systems and the introduction of new node types in the network. The approach being developed is to evolve the network towards the IN2 target in a number of discrete steps