New Technologies in the Local Loop

More competition and new technologies will lead to higher throughput, more intelligence in the public network infrastructure, and new value-added services for business and home users alike. You can expect to see the new services during the second half of this year.

Fixed and mobile network integration. BT and its partner, VIAG Interkom in Germany, are planning to integrate fixed and mobile network services into a single platform. Called Magic, this service will allow, for example, the use of one telephone number for both types of net works. Other advantages include a single billing system and complete shielding of network terminal equipment and the network infrastructure.

A similar service, called Cosmic, is already available in the U.K. It allows employees to roam among multiple sites of an organization. The user wears a dual-mode mobile handset that automatically switches between GSM and DECT networks.

Convergence of switches and routers. A new generation of devices will combine circuit switching for voice and IP routing and add more intelligence to public and large corporate networks. Siemens's EWSD switches, for example, will provide a generic platform for a variety of data applications and include a high-end IP router. This allows for supplementary services, such as "Call-Waiting Internet," which informs subscribers about incoming calls during an Internet session.

Data transmission over power lines. Nortel and Norweb Communications are developing a technology to transmit data at speeds of more than 1 Mbps over ordinary power lines.

Wireless ATM. Point-to-multipoint ATM solutions provide bandwidth all the way from 64 Kbps to 8 Mbps.