Current trends in telecommunication technology

Today's telecommunication industry has changed dramatically.Data communicationand voice networking have been merged to provide a variety of servives that leave even the most educated somewhat confused and baffled.These serivices all revolve around the backbone of the new intelegent network, SS7

Because of SS7, these new technologies can be supportedin the public switched telephone network (PSTN) rather than having to have separate network for each type of service ( as previously done to support packet swithcing jn the '70s and '80s).In fact all of data and voice commnunication will be simplified to the point that the subscriber does something but dial a number adn get connected.The signaling network will handle the rest

The goal of the telephone network is to provide seamless service to all subscribers, regardless off the information being sent through the network.As previously discussed, the intelegent network (IN) will provide this capability.But before the IN is ful;y deployed, there are many different pieces that must first be put into place.

The telephone network of today willnot support the types of the services that subscribers are asking for.If there is a need for high speed data, a special cisrcuit must be installed from customer premise to othner end of the ciscuit.If video is to be transmitted through the telephone network, special high capability circuit must be installed from the studio through the telephone network to anather high capability circuit at the tarsmitter

The ultimate goal is to provide one network capable of tranfferring all kinds of information regardless of the bandwidth necessary and sending it trhough the network just as if placing a telephone call.To support this level of service, the network must be changed

Introduction to Intelligent Network


The IN has been under development for many years, with the goal of allowing all types of information to pass through the telephone network without special circuitsor long installation cycles

The concept of being able to access all kind of informationis not new.The network to support this type of service is new.The IN provides the backbone to support and define these services
As the need for new feature and services becomes more important to customers, the need to deliver this service and feture is economical way becomes equally important.The problem facing telephone company today is being able to provide these features and services quickly and efficiently.Ordering 800 line for two weeks usage is now easy and can be implemented within hours instead days

The IN make is easier, because now when subscriber order new services, technicians do not have to be dispatched to add programming to the swtiching equipment and cross-connect the circuits

In IN everithing is contrrolled or configured by workstation with user friendly software interface.Telephone service representatives can create new services and tailor a subscriber's service from the terminal while talking with the customer.The change are immediatly implemented in the swithces.Circuit are cross-connected using digital cross-connect system, which are also controlled by workstation

The IN relies on SS& network, which forms its backbone.SS7 provide basic infrasturcture need for Service Switching Point (SSP), which provide local acces as well as an ISDN interface for the Signaling Tranfer Point (STP), which provide packet switching of message-based signaling protocol for use in the IN and for the Service Control Point, which provide acces to IN database
The SCP is connected to a Service Management System (SMS), which provide a human interface to the database, as well as the capability to the database when needed.The SMS using command line interface and man to machine language to build service and manage the network

One additional node used in IN that is not seen in the SS7 architecture is the Intelligent Peripheral (IP).The IP provide resource management of device such as voice response units,voice annoucement,and DTMF sensor for caller-activated services.THe IP is accessed by the Service Control Point (SCP) when service demand its interaction.IPs provide the IN with the functionally to allow customers to define their network needs themselves, without the use of telephone company personal

The following features are just a sampling of the features of an IN.As the IN evolves, new service will become availaible. Features include:

1. Find Me service
This service allows call to be forwarded to another location

2. Follow me Service
Similar to call forwarding, this allows a number to be forwarded on the time schedule

3. Computer Security Service
This service prevents unauthorized callers from accessing a computer via modem

4. Call pickup Service
When a call is placed to a number and i unanswered, the called party can be paged via radio pager

5. Store Locator Service
Businesses can advertise one number and callers are automatically tranfered to the nearest location based on their own telephone number

6. Call Routing Service
This allows businesses to reroute calls when congestion occur or after business hours

7. Multilocation Extension Dialing
THis allows the usage of abbreviated extension number to reach personnel regardless of their location and without PBX equipment

8. Name Delivery
A a call rings the tepelhone, the callers name is displayed on a digital display

9. Outgoing Call Restriction
Allows the restriction of specific numbers or prefixses and area codes, allowing customers to restrict long distance calls and service number such as 900 and 976 from being dialed on their phones