BROAD-BAND APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES PROSPECTUS

Not too long ago, network traffic was almost entirely comprised of voi ce or voice-grade traffic. Today, networks must support a rapidly grow ing percentage of several different kinds of high-bandwidth or broadba nd traffic-data, image, and video-in addition to conventional voice tr affic. There are several factors that create the demand for these new capabilities. Telecommunication customers want faster performance, bet ter quality, customization, lower costs, and an ever increasing variet y of advanced information services. For network-service providers, inc reasing competition requires an accentuated focus on providing timely, reliable, flexible, and evolvable information-network services. But, while network-service providers require new networking technologies to enable the deployment of advanced services, they must also increase n etwork efficiencies to maintain control of their operating expenses. H ow might asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology be used to addres s these needs? This paper discusses some of the expected broadband app lications and services enabled with ATM technology, as well as applica tions and services involving more than a 1-Mbit/s peak transport capab ility. In addition, the prospects for broadband services and applicati ons deployment are also presented.