STRUCTURE OF BROAD-BAND COMMUNICATION-NETWORK

The present telecommunication evolution is driven by a very complex relationship between market forces and new advanced technologies. This process is accelerated, among other things, by regulation actions and, more important, by the availability for end users of competing alternative solutions. Aim of the paper is first to discuss some of the major requirements/opportunities - from standard to business user needs, from intelligence to decentralization, from mobile to image communications. This allows setting a rationale and an overall consistent framework for the three-year Subproject 1: Structure of Broadband Communication Network. After a brief introduction about the innovation process in complex systems, the paper clarifies the role and the time scale for the service offering of broadband structures in telecommunication networks. The main research topics are then summarized thereby giving an introduction to the three more focused Conference papers, which consider specific relevant issues, broadband network evolution, metropolitan area networks, and satellite systems for high-definition television (HDTV). Finally, the subproject organization, work progress and major achievements obtained in the first-year activity are outlined.