ITUNet: International trials with users and networks from European testbeds

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 98.0058-4

Key words (English)

VDSL transmission; inverse multiplexing; ATM; access network; techno-economic analysis; broadband service provision

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: AC309

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 1.2 Communications technologies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Telenor AS (N), Ascom AG (CH), Martel GmbH (CH), Swisscom AG (CH), Telscom AG (CH), Cetia SA (F), Siemens ASA (N), Syseca TFM SA (F)

Abstract (English)

The main activities of ITUNET project were aimed at carrying out experiments on the provision of a variety of broadband services using various access network technologies such as VDSL and inverse multiplexing. The project addressed service, network and technology aspects. In the network/technology domains, the viability of the xDSL technology to offer the flexibility and bandwidth allocation required of a full service network was investigated. An innovative technique involving inverse multiplexing for ATM over VDSL combined with statistical multiplexing was introduced to ensure the transport of ATM cells over twisted pair access networks, thus demonstrating that existing infrastructures can be upgraded to provide the complete range of broadband and narrowband services to the general public. To ensure that the technical approach for the provision of a full services network was realistic in terms of economy and network ability, in depth studies and evaluations on network establishment costs, network dimensioning and network functionality were carried out. Swisscom's participation covered two key evaluations: the development of a prototype inverse mulitplexer for ATM over VDSL combined with statistical multiplexing, and techno-economic network analysis of the proposed access network strategy. The former focused on the analysis of the aggregation of a number of lower bandwidth links to form a large bandwidth transport mechanism supporting ATM transmission from a local exchange to a distribution node, or between distribution nodes (distances 1-2 km). The latter performed in-depth calculations and evaluation of the cost related to establishing an access network based on DSL technology (i.e. using inverse multiplexing for ATM over VDSL combined with statistical multiplexing), as well as a number of analysis as regards access network service provision.The results of the VDSL enhancing and modelling work completed by Swisscom were meant to be applied in the planning of ADSL deployment within Swisscom's operations and in possible future development projects. In addition, with an eye on the results of the techno-economic assessments, Swisscom could be interested in the ITUNET concept with a view to its future products' installation, should the trial fully matched Swisscom's requirements in this domain.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 98.0058-4