FUTURE SCENARIOS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

To maintain the pace of progress the future development of telecoms ne tworks should reduce the cost per connection, improve quality of servi ce and increase network functionality and intelligence. In this paper we examine some of the longer term network options including optical n etworking to create bandwidth transparency in order to reduce costs an d enable new networking approaches (eg where bandwidth is traded for s impler control). We also discuss the reliability threat from the growt h of 'software mountains' associated with increased network intelligen ce and functionality, and suggest self organization as a viable altern ative.