ITUNet: International trials with users and networks from European testbeds

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 98.0058-2

Key words (English)

Inverse Multiplexing; ATM; Copper-pairs; VDSL; Full Service Access Network (FSAN)

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, Siemens, Nera, Ascom, Telscom, Martel,
Cetial, Syseca, Swisscom

Abstract (English)

One of the main objectives of the ITUNET project is to demonstrate how existing copper-pair access network infrastructures can be upgraded using Inverse Multiplexing and VDSL technologies to form a cost-efficient integrated service network providing the necessary capacity and functionality for broadband services. Field trials in Oslo and Paris (together with a presentation and demonstration at Telecom99 in Geneva) will prove the viability of the adopted network topology for the realisation of an end-to-end ATM network providing a selection of broadband applications. Through the trials, ITUNET seeks to gain valuable experience, both with regard to the installation and operation of the proposed platforms and with regard to the end-user's perception of the supplied broadband services.

Martel has the role of assisting Telenor with the project co-ordination. Whilst Telenor makes the technical co-ordination, Martel takes care of the administrative co-ordination. Martel's work can be described as follows:

Objectives
Perform the overall project administration.
Administer the project resources and monitor the project spending.
Monitor the overall project performance.
Promote the dissemination of the project results in the relevant international fora.
Promote the acceptance of the project results among telecommunications stakeholders.

Technical Approach
Assisted joint co-ordinating partner Telenor to assure the smooth administrative functioning of the project.
Overall project management co-ordination, between all partners and between the project and the commission.
Organisation of regular project bi-monthly progress meetings.
Compilation and timely submission of monthly reports to the Commission.
Co-ordination of timely submission of all due project deliverables
Preparation and presentation of the project's Annual Review Report.
Participation in all ACTS Domain 3 Concertations in Brussels.
ITUNET presentations to various industrial and Chain Group conferences.
Arrangement of Consortium Agreement completion with all partners.

Benefits to Switzerland
Martel, together with Swisscom, Ascom, and Telscom, represent a strong Swiss contingent within the project and provide Switzerland with access to the state-of-the-art ITUNET multiplexing technology, enabling a considerable improvement in Swiss expertise in this field.
Although the project's field trial programme was radically curtailed due to supplier delays with a key electronic chip proto, ITUNET's presentation at Telecom '99 in Geneva was a resounding success and a new start-up company is being formed in Norway in April '00, to exploit the project's results commercially. This is expected to lead to a longer term collaboration with some of the Swiss partners, who would supply equipment and services to the new company.
The involvement of Swiss companies in EC projects helps to keep Swiss technology up to date with global industry developments and provides ongoing collaboration opportunities at the European level with other companies within the telecommunications industry. Specifically, inverse multiplexing has demonstrated that it constitutes a rapidly implementable, cost-effective, technical solution for the increase of bandwidth in the last mile of the telephone network and could have a direct relevance for Switzerland in this context.

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: 98.0058-2