The Essential Guide to Telecommunications

by Dodd, Annabel Z.

• ISBN13: 9780131487253
• ISBN10: 0131487256
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-29
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Praise for The Essential Guide to Telecommunications "From starting entrepreneurs to industry veterans, employees from all kinds of network communications companies have found this primer to be an excellent reference book and interesting reading...the best way to keep current on evolving technology." -Carol J. Meier, Executive Director, Massachusetts Network Communications Council "With jargon-free definitions, clear schematic drawings, and its steady narrative drive, The Essential Guide to Telecommunications is a reassuring testament to the human ability to comprehEND and communicate at some fundamental level even the most bewildering technology." -David Warsh, Editor, Economic Principals.com "I find this book very useful for my graduate students in business and economics to become familiar with an up-to-date explanation of modern telecommunications." -Jerry Hausman, McDonald Professor of Economics, MIT "Annabel Dodd has distilled down the essential elements of digital communications and cogently translated the technobabble of the telecommunications revolution. This fine new EDITION of her book explains how Internet ProTOCol-based broadband networks will affect consumers, companies, and communities as the inexorable march of digital technologies continues...." -Congressman Edward J. Markey, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection "Annabel Dodd's Guide is an excellent source of technical information that's understandable to people who never studied engineering. I use it regularly." -Jon Van, technology reporter, The Chicago Tribune "The Essential Guide to Telecommunications is probably one of the most useful and well-written books on our telecom bookshelf. Annabel Z. Dodd does a great job in capturing a snapshot of the current telecom industry. Even those with little or no technical training should be able to understand the text. This is the perfect book for salespeople who want to learn more about the products and services they are selling, or for those who just want to keep up to date on the latest in telecom technology." -William Van Hefner, President, Vantek Communications, Inc. "As a technology management consultant, I am often required to have hands-on knowledge on a wide range of technology topics. Whenever I need quick and accurate information on telecommunications technology, I turn to The Essential Guide to Telecommunications. I find it to be a very valuable reference." -Lumas KENDrick, Jr., KENDrick Technology Associates "The Essential Guide to Telecommunications is a fine guide to the field, readable by anyone, useful to everyone. As a first guide to the field, as a reference, and as a commentary on the history and strategy of telecommunications, it is simply superb." -Andrew Allentuck, Review Editor, Globetechnology, THE GLOBE AND MAIL, Toronto "People who enjoy a straightforward view of the ever-changing world of high technology will like this book. I did." -William Sherry, Product Specialist, Messaging & Mobility Applications, Avaya "Ms. Dodd continues to provide an excellent and thorough text on the telecommunications industry. As in her previous EDITIONs, she presents a good balance of technical- and business-related information that is readily understandable by anyone with an interest in thi

Author Biography

Annabel Z. Dodd teaches courses on Wireless Mobile Services and Data Communications in the graduate program of Northeastern University's School of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Table of Contents

Preface	xix
Acknowledgments	xxi
About the Author	xxiii
Part I Fundamentals and Voice Over IP
1 Basic Concepts	3	(42)
The Transition to Digital	5	(4)
Analog Signals-Slower, More Prone to Errors	5	(2)
Digital Signals	7	(2)
Adding Meaning to Signals-Codes and Bits	9	(2)
A Byte = A Character	10	(1)
Baud Rate Versus Bits per Second-Electrical Signal Rates Versus Amount of Information Sent	10	(1)
Codes-Adding Meaning to Bits	10	(1)
Measuring Speed and Capacity	11	(3)
Broadband Service-Multiple Data Streams	12	(2)
Improving Utilization-Compression and Multiplexing	14	(5)
Compression-Shrinking Data to Send More Information	14	(2)
Multiplexing-Let's Share	16	(3)
Interoperability-Protocols and Architectures	19	(2)
Protocols-A Common Set of Rules	19	(1)
Architectures-How Devices Fit Together in a Network	20	(1)
Types of Networks-LANs, MANs, and WANs	21	(17)
LANs-Local Area Networks	21	(2)
LAN and WAN Devices-Higher Speeds, Lower Prices	23	(7)
Home LANs-Sharing High-Speed Internet Access	30	(2)
MANs-Metropolitan Area Networks...Links Within Cities	32	(1)
WANs-Wide Area Networks...Links Between Cities	32	(1)
Higher Speed Services for LAN Traffic	33	(1)
Carrier and Internet Service Provider Networks	34	(4)
Appendix	38	(7)
2 VoIP Systems, Circuit Switched PBXs and Cabling	45	(66)
Telephone Systems-Voice over IP, PBXs, and Centrex Systems	48	(1)
What Is a Private Branch Exchange (PBX)?	49	(1)
IP PBXs for the Enterprise	49	(25)
Impetus for Change	50	(1)
Architecture of IP-Based Systems...How the Pieces Fit Together	50	(8)
Voice Quality and Security	58	(2)
Barriers to Acceptance of Voice over IP	60	(1)
Endpoints-IP Telephones Connected to Layer 2 Switches	61	(4)
PBX Trunks-Switch-to-Switch Connectivity	65	(1)
Demarcation-The Location at Which Telcos Wire Trunks	65	(1)
Circuit Switched PBXs-Proprietary Platforms	66	(1)
Centrex-Telephone Company Supplied Service	67	(1)
IP Centrex-Phone Companies Hosting Voice Over IP	68	(1)
Direct Inward Dialing-Bypassing the Operator for Incoming Calls	69	(1)
Key Systems-Multi-featured for Smaller Organizations	70	(1)
Hybrid PBX/Key Systems	71	(1)
Wireless Options for PBXs	71	(3)
Advanced Applications for Telephone Systems	74	(11)
Call Accounting-Billing Internal Departments	75	(1)
Call Detail Recording for Carriers-Generating Data for Billing	75	(1)
Voice Mail-Storing and Retrieving Messages	76	(1)
Voice Mail Components	77	(2)
Unified Messaging Integration of Voice Mail, Fax Mail, and E-mail	79	(1)
Unified Messaging Systems on the LAN	79	(1)
Multi-application Platforms in Carrier Networks	80	(1)
Speech Recognition	81	(4)
ACDs-Increasing Call Center Efficiency	85	(9)
ACDs Linked to IP Telephone Systems	86	(1)
ACD Functions Located in Carriers' Networks	86	(3)
Integrated Voice Response Units-Self Service in Contact Centers	89	(2)
Computer Telephony Integration (CTI)-Routing Callers More Intelligently	91	(3)
Media: Fiber and Unshielded Twisted Pair Copper	94	(11)
Impairments on Copper Cabling-Electrical Properties	95	(3)
Fiber-Optic Cabling-High Capacity, Decreasing Costs	98	(5)
Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing in Cable TV Networks-Maximizing Dark Fiber	103	(2)
Appendix	105	(6)
Part II Industry Overview and Public Networks
3 Industry Overview	111	(54)
The Bell System after the 1984 Divestiture	114	(5)
Divestiture of the Bell System from AT&T in 1984	114	(2)
The Decline of AT&T	116	(2)
Independent Telephone Companies- Mostly in Rural Areas	118	(1)
The Emergence of Local Competition Prior to 1996	119	(6)
Competitive Access Providers (CAPS) to Bypass Access Fees	119	(2)
Uneven Competition for Local Telephone Service Throughout the U.S.	121	(2)
The Critical Nature of Facilities	123	(1)
Factors Leading to Passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996	124	(1)
Wireless Services for Local Exchange Service-Spectrum Auctions	124	(1)
The Telecommunications Act of 1996	125	(1)
Universal Service Fund Affordability and Availability	125	(1)
Post Telecommunications Act of 1996 Developments	126	(1)
FCC Rulings, Legal Challenges, and Progress Toward Deregulation	126	(1)
FCC Enforcement of Access to Local Networks after Bells Gain In-Region Long Distance	127	(1)
Impact of the Telecommunications Act of 1996	127	(1)
State of the Industry...Key Segments	128	(7)
Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) Post-1996 Mergers	128	(1)
Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs)	129	(2)
Agents	131	(1)
Resellers	132	(2)
Wholesale Carriers-Carrier-to-Carrier Sales	134	(1)
CLECs-A Dwindling Industry Segment	135	(5)
CLECs-Local, Data, and Long Distance Services	135	(1)
Pending Purchase of AT&T and MCI-The Impact of Consolidation	136	(3)
Shrinking Numbers of Competitors-Financial Turmoil	139	(1)
What Went Wrong?	139	(1)
Intermodal Competition-Cable TV, Wireless, and Utilities	140	(10)
Cable TV Multiple Service Operators (MSOs)-Wired to the Max	140	(1)
Mobile Wireless Services	141	(1)
Utilities-The Third Pipe	142	(8)
Regulatory Issues	150	(9)
Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs)-Competitors Leasing Parts of RBOCs' Networks	151	(1)
The Impact of Higher Leasing Rates	152	(2)
Regulating Cable Modems-Cable, Information, or Telecommunications Services?	154	(1)
Voice Over IP-Regulatory Issues	155	(1)
Access Fees-A Shift in Balance Between Local and Long Distance Costs	156	(3)
Appendix	159	(6)
4 VoIP, the Public Switched Telephone Network, and Signaling	165	(56)
Convergence in Public Networks	168	(21)
Circuit Switching-Network Inefficiencies and Convergence	168	(1)
Impediments to Adoption-Training, Embedded Assets, User Adoption, and Fear of the Unknown	169	(1)
VoIP Networks-Putting the Pieces Together	169	(1)
Softswitches-Standards-Based Platforms for Call Control	170	(6)
Media Gateways (Border Elements)-Switching and Interoperability Between Networks	176	(1)
Peer-to-Peer Music, Instant Messaging, Online Games, and VoIP	177	(11)
Outsourcing-The Role of IP	188	(1)
Voice Over Broadband for Residential Consumers	189	(4)
Voice Over IP Service in Homes	189	(3)
Customer Acquisition Agents, Retail Outlets, and Amazon.com	192	(1)
Document Sharing and Online Webconferencing	193	(1)
Webconferencing to Share Documents	193	(1)
The Public Switched Telephone Network	194	(2)
Switched Services-Local and Long Distance Calling	196	(3)
Attributes of Real-Time Switching Services	196	(2)
Store-and-Forward Switching-Nonsimultaneous Sending and Receiving	198	(1)
'The Last Mile" or Access Networks	199	(14)
End and Tandem Central Offices	200	(4)
Wireless Local Loop-Low Customer Acceptance	204	(1)
Broadband Over Power Lines-Telephone Signals Over the Same Fiber that Carries Electricity	204	(4)
Carrier Hotels-Interconnecting Carriers and Providing Secure Space for Equipment	208	(2)
Interconnections Between Carriers-Transport	210	(3)
Signaling-The Glue that Holds the PSTN Together	213	(8)
Overview of Signaling-Uniform Signaling Developed by AT&T	213	(5)
Signaling System 7-Links Between Carriers	218	(1)
SS7 Components	219	(2)
5 VPNs and Specialized Network Services	221	(68)
Virtual Private Networks-Remote Access and Interoffice Connections	226	(10)
Rationale for Virtual Private Networks Between Offices	226	(2)
Productivity Away from the Office-VPNs for Remote Access	228	(1)
Virtual Private Network Technology	228	(7)
Security-Firewalls, Protection Against Viruses, and Other Attacks	235	(1)
Frame Relay-A Shared Wide Area Network Service	236	(4)
Access to Frame Relay-56 Kilobits to T-3	238	(1)
Frame Relay to Access Other Networks	238	(1)
Frame Relay Service-Permanent Virtual Circuits and Committed Information Rate	239	(1)
Voice on Frame Relay-Instead of Private Lines	239	(1)
Dedicated, Private Lines	240	(8)
Dedicated Services-Wide and Metropolitan Area Networks	241	(2)
Network Topologies-How Sites Are Connected	243	(5)
T-1-24 Paths and T-3-672 Paths Over One Telephone Circuit	248	(5)
T-1: 1,544,000bps; E-1: 2,048,000bps Speeds	248	(1)
T-3, J-3, and E-3-North America, Japan, and the Rest of the World	248	(2)
A Fat Pipe for Data-Unchannelized T-1	250	(2)
T-1 Inefficiencies-Time Slots Running on Empty	252	(1)
CSU/DSUs-Digital Modems: Testing and Clocking	253	(1)
ISDN-Integrated Services Digital Network	253	(6)
Basic Rate Interface ISDN-Higher Usage in Europe and Japan Than the United States	254	(2)
Primary Rate Interface ISDN-23 Bearer and One Signaling Channel	256	(2)
NT1s and TAs: Modem-Like Devices for ISDN	258	(1)
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) An Interim Technology or a Vehicle for Video and IP?	259	(10)
The DSL Marketplace	262	(1)
Business Class DSL-Static IP Addresses	263	(1)
DSLAMs-Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers	263	(5)
Television Over DSL Service-ADSL2+ and VDSL2	268	(1)
DSL-No Truck Roll; Self Service	269	(1)
Gigabit Ethernet	269	(5)
Ethernet Sales Channels	270	(1)
Challenges to Wider Deployment	270	(1)
Multiplexers Equipped with Reconfigurable Optical Add and Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs)	271	(2)
Ethernet Enterprise Service-Internet, VPN Access, and Private Lines	273	(1)
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode	274	(4)
ATM's Speed Is Due to Three Characteristics	274	(1)
DSLAMs and ATM-Oversubscription	275	(1)
Mapping IP and Ethernet Traffic onto ATM	275	(1)
Elements of an ATM Network	276	(2)
SONET-Synchronous Optical Network	278	(6)
Optical Carrier (OC): North American; Synchronous Transport Mode (STM): International	280	(1)
SONET Rings-For Greater Reliability	281	(1)
Second Generation-Next Generation SONET	281	(2)
SONET with Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Capability	283	(1)
Third Generation SONET-Connectivity to Ethernet	283	(1)
SONET Offerings for Enterprises	284	(1)
Summary	284	(1)
Appendix	285	(4)
Pert III Advanced Technologies, Cable TV Networks, and the Internet
6 Entertainment, Cable TV, and Last-Mile Fiber Systems	289	(44)
Cable Multiple System Operators (MSOs)	291	(17)
Cable TV Architecture-Upgrades, Capacity, Speed, and Reliability	293	(8)
Cable TV Offerings	301	(4)
Set-Top Boxes-Interfaces to Satellite TV and Cable TV	305	(3)
Direct Broadcast Satellite TV-Reaching Customers Wirelessly	308	(1)
Broadcast, Over-the-Air Television	309	(8)
Towers-Terrestrial Wireless Transmissions	310	(1)
Affiliates-Transmitting Programming to Consumers	310	(1)
Digital Television-Less Spectrum Used, Improved Quality	311	(5)
Digital Cable TV-Lower Resolution Than HDTV	316	(1)
Digital TV Standards Worldwide	316	(1)
Digital Delivery-Entertainment over the Internet	317	(2)
U.S. Postal Mail with E-commerce for Movie Delivery	317	(2)
Digital Radio-Subscription Versus Advertising Support	319	(5)
HD Radio-High Definition Radio	320	(4)
Passive Optical Networking	324	(9)
PONs-Fiber to the Premises, Curb, Basement, or Neighborhood; FTTx	325	(4)
Passive Optical Network Standards	329	(4)
7 The Internet	333	(54)
The Evolution of the Internet	336	(10)
UNIX, Telnet, and File Transfer Protocol	336	(1)
World Wide Web-Based on the Client Server Model	337	(2)
Internet Advisory Boards	339	(1)
Peering-To Exchange Data Between Carriers	340	(3)
ISPs: With Software Platforms for Enhanced Offerings	343	(2)
Hosting-Outsourcing Web Pages	345	(1)
Messaging and the Growth of Spam	346	(13)
Multimedia Attachments-Photographs, Movies, and PowerPoint	347	(1)
E-mail Formatted in HTML-Another Vehicle for the Spread of Viruses	348	(1)
Spam-Clogging Inboxes with Junk Mail	348	(4)
Interactivity Tools: Usenet, Chat, Mailing Lists, and Blogging	352	(7)
Internet Addresses	359	(3)
Registries-Management of Entire Top-Level Domains	360	(1)
Registrars-Assigning Domain Names to Organizations	360	(1)
Thirteen Root Servers Worldwide-The Basis for Internet Routing	360	(1)
Assignments of Numeric IP Addresses to ISPs and Carriers	361	(1)
Public and Private IP Addresses	362	(1)
Portals, Search Engines, and E-commerce	362	(6)
Portals-The Door to the Internet	362	(3)
Search Engines-Vehicles for Advertising Revenue	365	(3)
Electronic Commerce	368	(10)
Advertising on the Web-Instant Access to Offers	368	(2)
Popular E-commerce Sites	370	(3)
Privacy Concerns, Commerce, and National Security	373	(3)
Freedom of Speech, Access to Information, and Protection of Children	376	(2)
Intranets and Extranets	378	(9)
Intranets-Web Technology for Corporate Access	378	(1)
Extranets-Web Access for Customers, Partners, and Vendors	379	(8)
Part IV Wireless Service
8 Mobile Services	387	(82)
The Development of Cellular Networks	391	(8)
Cellular, Wireless, Cordless, and Mobile	392	(1)
Precellular Mobile Networks	393	(1)
First Generation Analog Cellular-Advanced Mobile Phone Services (AMPS)	394	(1)
Second Generation Digital Mobile Air Interfaces	395	(4)
Spectrum and Rights to Airwaves	399	(8)
Frequency	399	(1)
Ranges of Frequency-Spectrum Blocks	399	(1)
Spectrum Caps-Limiting the Amount of Spectrum Per Carrier	400	(1)
Allocation	400	(1)
Implication of Spectrum Ranges	401	(1)
Spectrum for Higher-Speed 3G Services	401	(3)
Unlicensed Spectrum for 802.1 1 and WiMAX	404	(1)
Multiband Versus Multimode	405	(2)
Mobile Carriers	407	(13)
The United States	409	(6)
Europe	415	(2)
China	417	(2)
India	419	(1)
The Structure of Second Generation Digital Mobile Networks	420	(17)
A Cell Site-Connections Between Customers and Mobile Networks	422	(1)
Switching and Signaling	423	(1)
Coverage Gaps-Rural Locales, Inside Buildings, and Congested Metropolitan Areas	424	(1)
Number Portability-Wireless to Wireless and Wireline to Wireless	425	(2)
Roaming Using Mobile Devices in Other Networks	427	(1)
Push-to-Talk-Mobile Walkie-Talkie Service	428	(4)
Enhanced 911	432	(3)
The Criticality of Mobile Networks-Emergency Preparedness	435	(2)
Evolving to Third Generation Packet Networks	437	(21)
Comparing Third Generation Technologies	438	(2)
The Transition to WCDMA-GPRS and Then EDGE	440	(2)
WCDMA-Wideband Code Division Multiplexing	442	(1)
The Evolution to CDMA2000 IX (Voice and Data) and CDMA2000 1 xEV-DO (Data Optimized-High Data Rate)	443	(2)
3G Compatible Handsets-Multimode Capabilities for Roaming	445	(1)
The Path to IP Converged 3G Networks	446	(8)
802.20: IP Mobile Broadband Wireless Access-MobileFi	454	(1)
Mobile Networks for Video-Using Incompatible Technologies	455	(3)
Mobile Commerce, Enhanced Services, and Operating Systems	458	(5)
The Battle for Operating System Dominance	459	(1)
Camera Phones	459	(1)
Ring-Back Tones-Mobile Music Instead of Ringing	460	(1)
Mobile Commerce-Mobile Devices to Make Purchases	461	(1)
The IP Multimedia System and Interoperable Multimedia	461	(1)
3G Applications for Enterprises	462	(1)
Specialized Mobile Radio-Slow-Speed Packet Data and Push-to-Talk	463	(2)
Specialized Mobile Radio-Packetized Data Networks for Two-Way E-mail and Field Services	463	(2)
Satellites and Paging	465	(4)
Satellite Networks	465	(1)
Satellite Telephones-For Emergencies and Remote Areas	465	(1)
VSAT Service-Small Satellite Dishes	466	(1)
Paging Services	466	(3)
9 Wi-Fi, Wireless Broadband, Sensor Networks, and Personal Area Networks	469	(58)
802.1 1 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)	472	(29)
The Terms 802.1 1, WLAN, and Wi-Fi	472	(1)
The Criticality of Standards	472	(1)
The Main Standards: 802.1 la, 802.1 1b, and 802.1 1g	473	(2)
802.1 1n-Improving Range (Area Covered), Capacity, and Data Rates	475	(1)
WEAN Infrastructure: Access Points and Switches	476	(2)
In Enterprises	478	(3)
Hotspots-Wi-Fi Inside Public Places	481	(10)
In Homes-To Avoid Running Cables	491	(2)
Wi-Fi Networks for Voice Over IP (VoIP)	493	(5)
Managing Security on WLANs	498	(2)
Compared to 3G: Mobility, Coverage, and Data Rates	500	(1)
Broadband Wireless Access	501	(9)
WiMAX: Broadband Access, Based on 802.16	501	(7)
Adapting 3G for Wireless Broadband Access: UMTS TDD and WCDMA	508	(2)
Personal Area Networks (PANS)	510	(9)
Bluetooth	510	(2)
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)	512	(5)
Ultra-Wideband-High-Speed, Short Distance Links	517	(2)
Sensor Networks-The 802.15.4 Standard	519	(4)
ZigBee-A Protocol For Sensor Networks	520	(3)
Appendix	523	(4)
Glossary	527	(24)
Bibliography	551	(2)
Index	553

Excerpts

Preface Preface The world has changed since the previous edition of this book was published in 2001. People are more mobile, and carriers and customers use more of the technologies such as voice over IP and high-speed networks that were discussed as emerging services in earlier editions. The world has become smaller as a result of the increasing availability of high-speed networks, and changes are occurring in developing countries as well as Europe, North America, and technologically savvy countries in Asia and the Middle East. Increasingly, carriers that build and support these networks are large conglomerates with worldwide scope. Many carriers are expanding internationally and merging to achieve growth and economic clout. However, growth, competition, and expanded Internet access present challenges to customers and carriers. These challenges include security risks and competitors' abilities to differentiate their services without entering into pricing wars with attendant low margins.The Essential Guide to Telecommunications, Fourth Editiontracks technological advances and delineates challenges carriers face. It examines these issues in both wireline and wireless services. The Essential Guide to Telecommunicationsexamines technological and business issues. It provides real-life examples of how consumers, small- and medium-sized organizations, and enterprise customers use technologies. It also discusses critical factors that influence customers' and carriers' adoption of new technology. Technologies covered include voice over IP, personal area wireless networks (PANs) that cover short distances within buildings, Wi-Fi wireless networks, high-speed wireless broadband, and next generation mobile services. The Fourth Edition examines next generation wireless mobile technologies capable of carrying vast amounts of high-speed data and video traffic. It also discusses basic cellular technologies and technological advances enabling one-third of the world's population to afford and own mobile phones. Mobile services provide low-cost, basic voice service in large parts of the world where in many instances a mobile phone is the first phone that customers own. In addition to exploring trends, the book provides a high-level overview of the architecture of next generation and current cellular networks, including mobile switches, softswitches, media gateways, and base stations. It also explains new wireless technologies used in sensor networks to control heating, lights, inventory levels, and manufacturing processes. It compares the differences and similarities between wireless technologies such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in terms of the technological differences as well as the way these technologies are used. The significance of a strong telecommunications infrastructure on the economy and on international trade is widely recognized and has prompted governments' attention worldwide.The Essential Guide to Telecommunicationsreviews regulatory issues that are of concern to carriers and governments. It explores the role of regulations in promoting innovation and competition and robust networks critical to national security. In addition, regulatory rulings are examined in light of their impact on customer segments and carriers. The Essential Guide to Telecommunicationspresents profiles of industry sectors including cable TV providers, incumbent telephone companies, wireless carriers, Voice over IP carriers, and competitive local exchange carriers. It explores strategies carriers deploy to gain a competitive edge and the network technologies used to further these strategies. In addition to looking at the architecture of wireless networks, the book depicts networks based on Internet protocol (IP) as well as traditional circuit switched and signal