MARKET REQUIREMENTS AND THE FUNCTIONALITY OF INTELLIGENT NETWORKS

The provisioning of telecommunications services is no longer the exclu sive task of monopolist telecommunications infrastructure operators. D igitisation of the network and the shift of service definition from so ftware that resides in the switches to computer platforms enables new service providers to enter the market of telecommunications. The Intel ligent Network (IN) is the central platform and entry point for the co mpetitors. This paper focuses on the requirements from the market side that drive the development of today's Intelligent Networks. The facto rs that will lead to successful creation and implementation of new ser vices are discussed in the light of a market oriented approach to be a pplied by the service providers. The main finding is that in order to be successful the service providers have to fully understand the marke t segments and specific subscribers' needs they want to address. once the service has been created the service provider's key to success is to better understand and serve the customers by using the information that the Intelligent Network provides. future requirements of Intellig ent Networks will be driven by open interfaces to the service creation facilities of the Intelligent Network and the network infrastructure operators' abilities to integrate and manage independent service provi ders that will in return help generate more traffic in the network.