Applying open network provision to ISDN and intelligent networks

Abstract

The rapid evolution of network technologies and the opening up of public networks in Europe and world-wide have resulted in a variety of different concepts and models for the future telecommunication world. Looking for a functional model for the flexible and open provision of future telecommunication services, also referred to as value added services, a thorough analysis of the different proposed models is required in order to understand the implications of these models and their relationships. The relevant models identified are the Open Network Provision (ONP) framework, the Intelligent Network (IN) concept and the OSI Reference Model and related distributed processing standards. The paper proposes a compound functional model based on the afore-mentioned models forming a general framework for the development and provision of future telecommunication services. Focussing on ISDN as target network technology for the next decade and Intelligent Networks as key concept for the provision of future services, this paper identifies the alternatives of opening the network infrastructure to competiting service providers by means of the ONP concept.