Local Access Service in the 1990's (2-1)

1. Introduction: Historically, the concept, and indeed the implementation of digital integration within the network has been motivated by cost efficiencies. In the future, in addition to providing cost effective, integrated access, local network architectures must provide operational ease, greatly increased bandwidth capacity and rapid service provisioning and deployment. The gains that have been made with the physical integration of functionality within the access network will be followed by service integration, with its promises of quick service introduction, rapid provisioning, ease of administration and increased network provider revenues.