Evolution of ISDN towards broadband ISDN

Worldwide activities to evolve integrated services digital network (ISDN) into an optical-fiber-based universal broadband network have resulted in the first baseline documents, such as CCITT Recommendation I.121. The asynchronous transfer mode has been established as a key element of broadband ISDN (BISDN). The adoption of the G.707-709 recommendations on the new digital transmission hierarchy will also strongly influence further BISDN development. The author presents the current state of the BISDN discussion, especially within CCITT, briefly addressing broadband services and then concentrating on the user-network interface, as its definition is of utmost importance with respect to the introduction of a worldwide unique BISDN. Network scenarios and evolution and interworking aspects of the arising broadband realizations are also addressed.<>