Report Description
The Infrastructure Series is intended to give non-specialists a comprehensive technical introduction to the current and emerging infrastructure technologies allowing them to understand the ways that the technology can apply to their own situation.
The Infrastructure Series is a compilation of the following current publications:
- Global NGN, IP and VoIP - Global Overview, Analyses and Statistics
- Global NGN, IP and VoIP - Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Pacific
- Global Telecoms Analyses and Forecasts
- Telecoms Infrastructure Technology - Volume 1 - Last Mile
- Telecoms Infrastructure Technology - Volume 2 - Long Distance & Data
Report Summary
With a market rapidly changing from traditional voice based products to one that must cater for a wide range of data driven media applications, a totally new operational structure is required. Next Generation Networks (NGNs) are leading this transformation by integrating telecoms with IT. This forms the core of the new environment of digital media. NGNs enable the convergence of multiple applications to run on the same network, including voice, data and video (triple play) - as well as other new media applications.
Digital Media however can only be fully developed once there are wide spread high-speed broadband networks available. This demand for broadband will lead to the further development of fibre networks, as the current copper-based networks simply cannot handle the increased capacities required.
Incumbent telcos often run hundreds, even thousands, of operational support systems, so this clearly indicates the size of the task ahead. Implementation of NGNs is often over promised and under delivered and full implementation could easily take a decade to fully accomplish.
Over the next 12 to 18 months, we will see a continuation of large scale fibre announcements from the various incumbent telcos around the globe. Key leaders include the telcos in Japan, Korea, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France and the Scandinavian countries.
Fixed-line voice will probably be with us forever, but it will also become a subset of broadband instead of the other way around. Despite retaining its role as cash cows for incumbent operators fixed and mobile voice services are progressively being overtaken by broadband. In the western world, wireless broadband offers new opportunities as a competitor for DSL in some niche markets.
VoIP, an application running on NGNs, has already started to gain traction in the market, but as a stand alone product it is unlikely to become a replacement for fixed line telephony. In Europe, the product is becoming very popular in triple play business models as is IPTV another product that is gaining momentum.
The Infrastructure Series examines the future of telecommunications, as NGNs develop into an IP based telco environment. The series includes analysis and statistics, with an emphasis on the first deliverable VoIP. It also includes an historical overview, key trends and developments, extensive technical information and detailed information on convergence and FttH infrastructure.
For those with a need for more detailed technical information, the Infrastructure Series also explains areas such as ADSL / VDSL, Hybrid Fibre Coax Cable (HFC) networks, Free Space Optical technologies, long distance optical fibre technologies, traditional and advanced methods of modulating data, SDH/SONET ring architecture and the use of new technologies, including Resilient Packet Rings, optical switching and Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) to build flexible, redundant, long distance networks.
The various Ethernet physical technologies are also discussed along with an extensive introduction to Quality of Service (QoS) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) techniques, which are essential for the reliable delivery of voice, data and video services using Ethernet and TCP/IP packet technologies. The series provides vital insight into the challenges of providing full end-to-end QoS reservation of bandwidth and assurance of packet delivery over both core and edge (last-mile) networks.
The Infrastructure Series is a unique publication which provides critical insights, explanations on the technologies involved in the infrastructure market and on industry developments. Corporate managers, financial and investment consultants, IT consultants and Government and education bodies will find this series particularly useful.
