Table of Contents

Preface xxi

Acknowledgments xxv

About the Author xxvii

 

Part I: Enabling Technologies, Data Centers, and VoIP PBXs 1

 

Chapter 1: Computing and Enabling Technologies 3

Key Underlying Technologies 5

Sending Data in Packets 8

Deep Packet Inspection: Traffic Management and Monitoring 10

Compression 14

Increasing Network Capabilities via Multiplexing 18

Wide Area Network Acceleration and Optimization 20

Using Protocols to Establish a Common Set of Rules 22

Protocols and Layers 24

Cloud Computing 25

Single Servers Functioning as Multiple Servers via Virtualization 35

Network Cabling 38

Summary 44

Appendix 46

 

Chapter 2: Data Centers and IP Private Branch Exchanges 51

Introduction 52

Next-Generation Data Centers: Virtualization and Gigabit Speeds 53

Managing Virtualization 65

Backbone and Individual Local Area Network Structures 69

IP Private Branch Exchange Systems for Internal Use 72

The Technology behind IP Telephony 75

IP Private Branch Exchange Architecture 77

Value-Added Applications for Telephone Systems 87

Summary 100

Appendix 100

 

Part II: Industry Overview 105

 

Chapter 3: Competition, Industry Structures, and Regulations 107

Introduction 108

The 1984 Breakup of AT&T 110

Regulatory Issues 117

The State of the Industry 133

Nontraditional Competitors: Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Netflix 150

Appendix 161

 

Part III: Wide Area Networks and the Internet 163

 

Chapter 4: Carrier Networks 165

The Public Network 167

Long-Haul Networks: The Core 168

Technologies Used in Carrier Networks 171

Convergence in Core and Metropolitan Networks 174

Transporting Movies and TV in the Core 186

Middle-Mile Networks 187

Last-Mile Access Networks 191

Access Networks in Cable Operators’ Networks 201

Telecommunications Services in National Emergencies 205

Signaling 207

Summary 211

Appendix 213

 

Chapter 5: Broadband and Wide Area Network Services 215

Introduction 216

A Definition of Broadband 218

VoIP Calling Services over Broadband 219

Multi-Protocol Label Switching for Interoffice Connections 223

Internet Protocol Virtual Private Networks over the Internet 229

Securing Transmissions Sent via the Internet 230

Managed Services 235

Using Digital Subscriber Line for Internet Access 239

High-Speed Access via Carrier Gigabit Ethernet 243

T1 and T3: The First Broadband Services for Businesses 246

Private Lines, Network Topology, and Frame Relay 250

Appendix 257

 

Chapter 6: The Internet 261

Introduction 262

The Growth of the Internet 264

The Structure of the Internet 267

Security Threats from Internal, External, and International Sources 274

Privacy 278

Video Streamed from the Internet to the Front Room 280

Electronic Commerce 286

Online Community Forums 290

Network Neutrality 292

The Digital Divide: Bandwidth, Skills, and Computers 297

Intranets and Extranets 298

Summary 301

 

Part IV: Mobile Networks and Mobile Carriers Worldwide 303

 

Chapter 7: Mobile and Wi-Fi Networks 305

Introduction 306

First-Generation Analog Technologies 308

Finite Spectrum for Wireless Networks 309

Second-, Third-, and Fourth-Generation Digital Networks 321

Fourth-Generation Advanced Mobile Services 332

The Streamlined Infrastructure of Long-Term Evolution Architecture 341

The Microcell Technology of Picocells and Femtocells 350

Handheld Devices and Tablet Computers 353

Applications and Services 360

Wi-Fi Standards, Architecture, and Use in Cellular Networks 365

Satellites 376

Summary 378

Appendix 379

 

Chapter 8: Mobile Carriers Worldwide 387

Introduction 388

The Largest Mobile Carriers Worldwide 390

The Asian Market 392

Latin America 401

Sub-Saharan Africa 405

Europe 412

Summary 421

 

Glossary 423

Index 449

About the Author

Annabel Z. Dodd is an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern University’s School of Professional Studies where she teaches courses on wireless mobile services and data communications in the master’s degree program in informatics. She was previously an adjunct professor in the master of science program in technology management at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she taught in a joint program with The Institute of Industrial Policy Studies, Seoul, South Korea. In addition, the Fundación de la Innovación Bankinter selected her to participate in their Future Trends Forum in Madrid in 2004, 2005, and 2007. Formerly in marketing at New England Telephone (now Verizon) and then communications and telecommunications manager at Dennison Manufacturing Company (now Avery Dennison), she consults with major corporations and institutions and gives seminars to organizations worldwide. The Massachusetts Network Communications Council honored her as the Professor of the Year 2000. Since its first edition in 1997, The Essential Guide to Telecommunications has been translated into nine languages worldwide. More information can be found at her website, doddontheline.com.

Reviews

Praise for The Essential Guide to Telecommunications

 

“Dodd’s The Essential Guide to Telecommunications provides the history and context that make a fundamental underpinning of modern business more accessible to technologists and businesspeople alike. This new edition of her primer is an essential reference in the continuously evolving communications landscape.”

—Tom Hopcroft, President and CEO, Mass Technology Leadership Council

 

“Annabel Dodd has created a mainstay resource in The Essential Guide to Telecommunications. All editions have been written in such a way that nonengineers and engineers alike will benefit from reading. She does the BEST job that I have seen in assimilating all of the changes that are constantly occurring in the telecommunications industry, both technical and regulatory, into one text. When I walk through telecommunications offices, I always see various editions of her book on multiple shelves. If you want one book that provides a concise and encompassing view of telecommunications, THIS is it!”

—Ronny Puckett, Southwest Region Director, National Exchange Carrier Association

 

“I have used previous editions of The Essential Guide to Telecommunications for some time in my introductory courses in our Information and Telecommunications Systems degree program. As this is a stand-alone IT degree program, we need a textbook with broad coverage of technical, management, and regulatory/policy topics. The Essential Guide to Telecommunications provides that coverage in an accessible and accurate manner. It is one of a very small number of books that I have been comfortable using as a required text in my courses.”

—Hans Kruse, Professor of Information and Telecommunications Systems, Ohio University

 

“Like many words in our ‘high-tech,’ ‘hard sell,’ ‘order now’ society today, the word ‘essential’ becomes worn and overused. However, in the case of Annabel Dodd’s The Essential Guide to Telecommunications, there is no other word that describes the impact and critical importance of this definitive work. For everyone from laymen in IT and new technologists to experienced network and telecom engineers, this book is a must-have, and therefore essential.”

—Bob Warren, IT Infrastructure Analyst, Parsons

 

“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 of 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.

 

“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, Columnist, Financial Post, Toronto

 

“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 this key component of today’s business environment. In her new edition, she has captured many of the recent changes in this dynamic field, which will affect every company in the years ahead. I strongly recommend her book to anyone who wants a better understanding of telecommunications.”

—Joe McGrath, SVP, Information Technologies, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

“Dodd’s work has been very helpful in the past in taking complex technical topics and translating them into actionable business items for my MBA students. Her book doesn’t gloss over the details, but rather explains why they are important in the twenty-first century information age.”

—Andrew Urbaczewski, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Management Studies, Associate Professor of MIS, College of Business, University of Michigan—Dearborn