In the telecom world, services have usually been conceived with a specific mindset. This mindset has defined the traditional characteristics of these services; services distinguished by their linkage with the access network, tight control over service use (e.g., authentication, billing), lack of deep personalization capabilities (mass services only) and reliance on standardization to achieve end-to-end interoperability between all the actors of the value chain (e.g., operators, platform manufacturers, device manufactures). This book offers insights into this complex but exciting world of telecommunications characterized by constant evolution, and approaches it from technology as well as business perspectives. The book is appropriately structured in three parts: (a) an overview of the state-of-the-art in fixed/mobile NGN and standardization activities; (b) an analysis of the competitive landscape between operators, device manufactures and OTT providers, emphasizing why network operators are challenged on their home turf; and (c) opportunities for business modeling and innovative telecom service offers.

The liberalization of telecommunications in the USA and Western Europe has given rise to intense debate, both in political and in academic circles. This book gives an insight into related academic research carried out in several European universities and research institutes over the past few years. Various key aspects of this complex field have been studied, such as tariffs, international accounting rates, standards and quality of service, in order to contribute to the shaping of a European telecommunications policy for the future. The action of international organizations, and in particular the European Community, is also scrutinized.

Telecommunication markets are characterized by a dynamic development of technology and market structures. The specific features of network-based markets, convergence of previously separate spheres and the complex task of market regulation put traditional theoretical approaches as well as current regulatory policies to the test. This book sheds light on some of the challenges ahead. It covers a vast range of subjects from the intricacies of market regulation to new markets for mobile and internet-related services. The diffusion of broadband technology and the emergence of new business strategies that respond to the technological and regulatory challenges are treated in the book’s 24 chapters.

This book proposes for the first time the concept of communication 4.0, exploring its nature in detail, and offering predictions for the future development of the telecommunication industry. Based on an in-depth analysis of hierarchical communications requirements, it applies Maslow’s Model to telecommunication and illustrates the model’s five degrees.

The book presents an updated dialogue between researchers and analysts on policy-relevant telecommunication issues and public and private sector decision makers engaged in making telecommunication policy. It focuses on the two major issues of sectoral convergence - looking at the new challenges to regulation in Europe and at company strategies for alliance and competition at the national and global level - and competition - discussing interconnection of both local/long distance, incumbent/new entrant, and universal service definition in a liberalised framework as well as the new dynamics between network and service competition with special concern on the role played by national telecom operators. Each theme concerns both corporate strategy in the international environment and public policy responses to shifting realities.

This book is based on both industrial and academic research efforts in which a number of recent advancements and rare insights into telecommunication systems are well presented. The volume is organized into four parts: "Telecommunication Protocol, Optimization, and Security Frameworks", "Next-Generation Optical Access Technologies", "Convergence of Wireless-Optical Networks" and "Advanced Relay and Antenna Systems for Smart Networks." Chapters within these parts are self-contained and cross-referenced to facilitate further study.

Many argue that telecommunications network infrastructure is the most impressive and important technology ever developed. Analyzing the telecom market’s constantly evolving trends, research directions, infrastructure, and vital needs, Telecommunication Networks responds with revolutionized engineering strategies to optimize network construction. Omnipresent in society, telecom networks integrate a wide range of technologies. These include quantum field theory for the study of optical amplifiers, software architectures for network control, abstract algebra required to design error correction codes, and network, thermal, and mechanical modeling for equipment platform design. Illustrating how and why network developers make technical decisions, this book takes a practical engineering approach to systematically assess the network as a whole—from transmission to switching. Emphasizing a uniform bibliography and description of standards, it explores existing technical developments and the potential for projected alternative architectural paths, based on current market indicators. The author characterizes new device and equipment advances not just as quality improvements, but as specific responses to particular technical market necessities. Analyzing design problems to identify potential links and commonalities between different parts of the system, the book addresses interdependence of these elements and their individual influence on network evolution. It also considers power consumption and real estate, which sometimes outweigh engineering performance data in determining a product’s success. To clarify the potential and limitations of each presented technology and system analysis, the book includes quantitative data inspired by real products and prototypes. Whenever possible, it applies mathematical modeling to present measured data, enabling the reader to apply demonstrated concepts in real-world situations. Covering everything from high-level architectural elements to more basic component physics, its focus is to solve a problem from different perspectives, and bridge descriptions of well-consolidated solutions with newer research trends.

The motivation for this book stems from an early exposure to the book Ap plied Mechanics by John Perry. Professor Perry strove to encourage his readers to understand the applications and use of mathematics in engineering with out insisting that they become immersed in pure mathematics. The following text uses this approach to the application of telecommunications switching. Readers wishing to study the derivation and proof of formulas will be able to do so using relevant references. The existence of low-cost programmable calculators frees practicing engineers from much laborious calculation, allowing more time for creative design and application of the art. The reader should not need to be able to derive formulas in order to apply them just as, to quote Professor Perry, "He should not have to be able to design a watch in order to tell time ... The material for this book has been drawn from my own experience in the field. Inevitably, however, I have used CCITT and Bell System publications for references and in some cases quotation, and I gratefully acknowledge permission for their use. I am also grateful to Stromberg Carlson Corporation for their earlier encour agement and support without which this book would not have been possible. Thanks are also due to Fred Hadfield for his advice and assistance in the preparation of the many figures and to my wife Ada for her support and patience as I pursued the demanding but interesting task of producing the text.