Customer demand for an ever-wider range of communications services and new technological options are forcing developments in the local network. This volume surveys those developments in both the international and strategic planning contexts. Following an overview, the international scenario is presented, developments in the copper network are reviewed, and developments in optical networks are discussed. Network management and asynchronous transfer mode development are then covered, as are likely future directions.

Customer demand for an ever-wider range of communciations services and exciting new technological options are forcing developments in both the international and strategic planning contexts. This volume surveys those developments in both the international and strategic planning contexts.