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PTC '85 — Pacific Telecommunications Conference
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P T C '85 - P a c i f i c T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Conference The seventh annual conference of the Pacific Telecommunications Council spent four days in January this year examining the coming digital world and its potential effects on the Pacific area. The conclusion of the speakers and discussants was that the region needs expanded services, better training for telecommunications world, and international standards to govern the proliferating technology. More than 500 delegates from more than 30 countries and Pacific islands gathered in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A. from January 13-16, to hear a series of international leaders talk about political, economic, social, and technological ramifications of the coming "digital world" for telecommunications services in the Pacific region. The conference also featured case studies on telecommunications in New Zealand, New Caledonia, Taiwan and Korea. The conference theme was "Toward a Digital World", envisioning a world increasingly interconnected by high speed, technologically accurate channels of information. We feature below a detailed report on PTC '85. The report is based on the session summaries provided by the PTC reports active at the conference.
Keynote Addresses In an opening keynote speech, Javier Jimenez Espriu, Mexico's Undersecretary of Communications and Transportation, sounded a theme repeated and explored throughout the conference: Technology should be a positive force in society, extending values, morals, and aesthetics to increase education and knowledge. Furthermore, said Jimenez, new services should be cheap, simple and North-Holland Computer Networks and ISDN Systems 10 (1985) 39-57
needed. We must, he concluded, strive to make communications a way to unite and not to dominate, to liberate and not alienate, to orient and not to confound. Another opening speaker was David J. Markey, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Markey discussed the U.S. position on the potential use of private satellites to augment the services provided by INTELSAT. He also touched on matters related to the deregulation of the U.S. telecommunications industry. Another major speaker, Jean-Claude Delorme, talked about "Education in a Digital World", a continuing interest of the Pacific Telecommunications Council, at the annual PTC luncheon on January 15. Delorme is President and Chief Executive Officer of Teleglobe Canada. He cautioned conferees about advancing into the new technology without a solid educational base. " T h e human mind remains the most sophisticated computer, and we should therefore concern ourselves with the necessity to understand it adequately, through basic education, to perform the functions that are expected of it - if we do not want the computers to take over entirely", Delorme said in his address. Indonesia's Minister of Tourism, Posts and Telecommunications Achmad Tahir reported on the progress of the Independent Commission for World Wide Telecommunications toward its goal of putting all mankind within easy reach of a telephone by the first part of the next century. If industrial and developing countries work close enough together, he said, that goal can be reached. Tahir further presented some of the views of The Maitland Commission on sharing technology with Third World nations. Moriya Koyama, Administrative Vice Minister of Posts and Telecommunication in Japan, echoed Tahir's call, saying that rapid technological pro-
0376-5075/85/$3.30 © 1985, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (North-Holland)
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gress demands that we go beyond the usual national means of consulting one another and use organizations such as PTC for international consultation. Deregulation was the topic of his speech, entitled " N e w Communication Age in Japan". Participants identified standards as an important part of governing the proliferation technology. To insure that data communications standards will be beneficial to the many user sections, dialogue is needed between individual users, user organizations, industry associations, and network providers. According to L. John Rankine of IBM, if the potential of new digital channels is going to meet the needs of users, standardization world must be done once, done right, and done internationally.
Changing User Requirements R. Kenedi and D.S. Rendall (Northern Telecom Inc.) discussed changing user trends and their effect on the current telecommunications network as it is changing to an Integrated Digital Network. To obtain ubiquitous combined voice-data access and economically exploit it within any reasonable time frame, Data Above Voice techniques may also be needed to meet the changing user requirements that are forecasted. Kenedi and Rendall also concluded that both circuit and packet switching techniques with a single optimized access may result. Their Keynote Address was entitled " T h e Impact of Changing User Requirements on Integrated Digital Network Systems".
What is a Digital World? 1NTELSAT Martin Fournier (Teleglobe Canada) reviewed the status of and the trends in the field of telecommunications and examined the impact of recent advances in technology on service and facility development. According to Fournier, operational and economic considerations will no doubt constrain the evolution toward a digital world. However, challenges and opportunities are numerous and limited only by our innovative abilities and imagination. I N S and Communication In his Keynote Address, Michio Nagai, Senior Advisor to the Rector at the United Nations University, discussed " I N S and Communication International and Domestic". He covered five aspects: (1) Historical Background, (2) Receiver of International Communication, (3) Scientific and Technological Renovation, (4) Mutual Understanding and Development Within Asia-Pacific and (5) From Asia-Pacific to the World. Data Communications Standards According to L. John Rankine (IBM Corporation, U.S.A.), data communications standards are a significant factor in the emerging digital environment. He noted in his presentation that activities like ISDN are at the center of the international issues and challenges which need to be resolved to make the "Digital World" a reality.
Richard R. Colino, Director General of INTELSAT, explained in detail the goals, activities and accomplishments of the I N T E L S A T Global Satellite System as it has evolved over the last 20 years and, in particular, how it has given definition to the concept of a global common-user system with special emphasis on how I N T E L S A T has served the Asia/Pacific region. He also emphasized the importance of the common user system to achieving the effective utilization of the GSO by all the countries of the world and how, on a practical basis, I N T E L S A T today and, even more so, in the future, may serve as a primary means by which developing countries can achieve equitable access to communications satellite services. International Regulations In a Keynote Address, entitled "International Regulations Concerning Space Radiocommunication Services", Moreshwar D. Sant ( I F R B / I T U , Switzerland) described the development of international regulations over the past twenty years and the essential purpose of the existing regulations. Sant also discussed the activities foreseen in the forthcoming ITU world conferences in 1985 and 1988 on planning of the geostationary satellite orbit.
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Special Feature: Teletrack Dan J. Wedemeyer (University of Hawaii) pointed out that one noteworthy innovation of PTC '85 was Teletrack, a series of presentations running parallel to the regular conference sessions but in a totally electronic format. Teletrack's intent was to increase the variety of material presented and to stimulate additional participation by presenters, while, at the same time, extending the ability of other conferees to hear lectures on topics of special interest to them. Its format gave each selected presenter a 20-minute time slot for a live video presentation carried on the closed circuit television system of the conference hotel. Conferees who missed a live presentation could see it on videotape at any time in two viewing areas during the conference. New Caledonia Christian Gheorghieu explained that the integrated digital network in New Caledonia is providing improved quality of service, the development of new products and services, bubbled "Telematic." Most importantly, it has opened up the country to automatic contacts with the rest of the world. Gheorgiev noted that the integrated digital network provides great possibilities for business by allowing the establishment of relations between two subscribers belonging to interconnected networks via "packet transmission", with great reliability, speed, and lower cost. Packet digital switching can be envisaged for all types of application: transactions management, shared time, transmission of files or results, teletreatment in batches, and message transmission. Taiwan, ROC Taiwan's rapid economic growth and industrial development have increased the demand for more efficient telecommunications services. Y.K. Chen pointed out that to satisfy this demand, Taiwan is aiming at digitizing the existing telecommunications network together with other dedicated services networks in order to reach the ISDN goal of sharing the use of network resources by all services. The four existing dedicated telecommunications networks, each optimized for a specific service, will be used until the ISDN transport
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scheme integrates circuit and packet switching and the newly introduced teletex service with telex. Future international communications developments include providing a satellite business service through joint use of time-division multiple access (TDMA) features of the Indian Ocean INTELSAT satellite in 1986, and construction of three new submarine cable systems to meet the increasing demand.
New Zealand According to Harry A. Whale, New Zealand's geographic isolation from other nations and the great distances between its communities has spurred early development of high quality national and international telecommunications services. Whale noted that two recently installed key elements of the growing digital network are a high capacity backbone trunk system, with both digital microwave and digital coaxial systems, and, in 1983, the first optical fiber cable system. The final link in the digital network chain, the local loop, is already in sight, with digital equipment already in use to provide telephone service to remote rural communities. New Zealand has also introduced packet switching service for both domestic and international communications, providing transport for new services such as videotex and point-of-sale electronic funds transfer.
Republic of Korea The long-term government objective in the Republic of Korea is to bring about the ISDN by providing multipurpose transmission service using a single telephone network to substitute for now separately operated information networks. The Data Communications Corporation of Korea began commercial data service in 1983 and currently provides data transmission, data processing, and data bank services. Eung-hyo Lee pointed out that efforts to modernize the telephone system in Korea encountered serious problems with a backlogged subscriber waiting list, traffic congestion, and poor quality of service. These problems had to be solved collectively by electronization of switching systems and digitalization of networks. The government adopted analog electronic switching system (ESS) for urban areas, digital ESS for toll centers and rural areas, and advanced pulse code modulation (PCM) for transmission systems.
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Part I: Current Digital Developments Session 1: Business Developments (Reporter: Wendy Schultz) In looking at current digital developments in business, the lecturers in this session concentrated on expansions in services offered both to individual consumers and to large business concerns. Their lectures assessed present domestic technical capabilities, described the markets for those capabilities, and suggested where expansions of both domestic and international systems would further serve present customers, and attract new customers. Planned expansions to domestic and international digital communications systems were also discussed.
Services in New Zealand In "Emerging Information Services in New Zealand," Laurence Zwimpfer presented an inventory of the New Zealand computer-communications links in place and in planning. Concentrating on videotex, teletext, and database development, he outlined the advantages of various different technical approaches, pointed out some limitations, and suggested support strategies to broaden marketability. Because of New Zealand's widely scattered population and its geographic isolation from the rest of the world, communications have always played a major part in the country's economy. Zwimpfer's speech demonstrates that rapid progress is being made in building a new digital network that will both upgrade and expand existing voice communications as well as lay the foundation for New Zealand to enter the information age.
Digitalization in Japan The first paper concerning Japan's digital communications network focussed on the international flow of information. Japan is undertaking digitalization of its international communications networks. These digital transmission links will be implemented using digital satellite communications systems and optical fiber submarine cables.
Digital switching systems are also being implemented at INTS. Kinji Iwasaki's lecture, "Digitalization of Japan's International Networks," outlined the technical requirements and uniform specifications necessary to make this idea a reality.
Facsimile Use in Japan On the domestic front, Norihiko Ando looked at the remarkable growth of facsimile use in Japan: "Digital Network for Facsimile Communications Facsimile Communications Network Service" (FCNS). N T T has been providing an exclusive network service for facsimile communications, FCNS, since 1981 to answer the demands for facsimile communications. The FCNS is the leading service of ISDN (called INS) which N T T is now promoting with emphasis. Ando began by outlining the purposes of FCNS, and then described its current operations. This includes network configurations, service functions, and charges. Finally, several applications of the facsimile network were described, including an investors' information service, educational services, and retail business services.
Videotex Industry in Canada The videotex industry in Canada has evolved quite substantially over the past five years and has undergone very distinct waves of change. Peter J. Booth, in " T h e Evolution of Videotex", examined the evolution of Videotex in Canada and North America, and defined three distinct stages of development. The first was the technical phase dominated by product definition and laboratory testing. The second phase was dominated by optimistic projections of mass market acceptance and the joint participation of the federal government and industry in numerous field trials. The third phase saw major changes with the focus of activity on the U.S. market, a trend toward home banking and interactive services, the development of micro-based NAPLPS software and a realization that government support would diminish in the near future. These developments led to major alterations in the industry structure which Booth indicates raise major questions about the future of Videotex in Canada.
Conference Reports S e s s i o n 2: Satellite D e v e l o p m e n t s Digital
Analog vs
(Reporter: Vince Diaz) Using I N T E L S A T
INTELSAT's use of digital modulation/multiple access techniques for thin-route international communications began in the early 1970's, with S C P C / P C M / P S K and S C P C / P C M / P S K with Demand Assignment (SPADE). Both international and domestic thin-route requirements have increased dramatically since then, as smaller earth stations and equally innovative modulation/multiple access techniques, both digital and analog, have evolved. J. Pelton and T.M. Kelley stated that INTELSAT can now supply thin-route data distribution services using "microterminals" with 0.75meter antennas, and single voice channel service from earth stations with 3-meter antennas. Pelton and Kelley, in "Global Thin-Route Services Using INTELSAT: Digital and Analog Solutions", then traced the development of the wide variety of thin-route services offered by INTELSAT. They explained the background for the choice of modulation/multiple access techniques, adapted for existing services, and outlined the major facets of INTELSAT's future in an increasingly digital communications environment. S C P C Networks
"Digital Techniques for SCPC Networks" by A. Sewerinson and J. McKay explored the general advantages of digital SCPC Networks, followed by a closer look at tradeoffs involved in the capacity of transponders. The many options available for digital processing of the signals were discussed, with special emphasis on speech coding. The status of digital SCPC systems in Canada was then described. Sewerinson and McKay perceive modern telecommunications being changed by the accelerating rate of developments in digital techniques and VLSI circuit capabilities, specifically true in the field of satellite systems. The authors also find that digital SCPC networks provide inexpensive, efficient, versatile, and adaptable communications for thin route applications.
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SCPC - Features and Advantages
Widely used in international and domestic systems for telephone and data networks, SCPC continues to be recognized as a sound investment decision in the provision of the thin route satellite communications. H. Shimayama et al. in "Stateof-the-Art SCPC Communications Systems" discussed the main features and advantages of SCPC - its flexibility in handling various types of services as well as its ability to accommodate various configurations within specific system parameters. Specifically, Shimayama discussed state-of-the-art SCPC systems for C, Ku, and Ka bands. In particular, he discussed: 1) present SCPC system design and associated earth station configuration; 2) SCPC analog and digital modulation techniques and FEC performance; and 3) SCPC system applications in the Japanese CS-2 Ka band satellite system. In addition, some technical considerations which allow for a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of various SCPC techniques were presented from both a technological and applications perspectives.
S e s s i o n 3: Fiber Optic D e v e l o p m e n t s
(Reporter: David Smith) This session focussed on various applications of fiber optic technology. The lectures included discussions of research on the potential and planned applications as well as the case study of actual application of the technology. The recent single mode advancements are of particular importance in these presentations. Undersea Communications J.M. Sipress of A T & T Bell Laboratories discussed the new capabilities, the technology, and planned and proposed applications of cost-effective undersea digital and lightwave communications. The rapid advances in digital and lightwave technology permit the realization of significantly new communications capability via undersea cable systems. According to Sipress, the planned transpacific cable, an example of a cost-effective digital lightwave system spanning an ocean, only makes way for a future which may see unrepeatered lightwave systems approaching 200 Km in length providing
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for communications across channels, between islands and to offshore islands and structures without any underwater electronics.
Undersea Cables J. Tilly and H.F. Preston discussed the planned use of fiber optic technologies as a replacement for intercontinental and international undersea coaxial cables. The role of digital undersea cables are expected to play an increased role in global telecommunications. In applying digital undersea cables certain challenges have been addressed in the context of the undersea environment. Advantages following from this application will include the ability to network and integrate cost reductions, and the ability to gain operational advantages here-to-fore available exclusively from satellite communications. The presentation was entitled "Digital Undersea Cables: Progress and Applications". Hawaiian Telephone Co. Experience R. Miyahara presented the results of an Hawaiian Telephone Company experiment attempting to construct a repeaterless, 90 Mb, trunk system 35 Km long, using existing multimode technology. Despite the apparent obsolescence of the multimode technology since the introduction of single mode fibers, there are still short-haul applications where the use of multimode fiber may be more practical. According to Miyahara, this should be especially important where long wavelength multimode fibers are already in place.
Session 4: Broadcasting Developments (Reporter: Anne Witebsky ) In "Broadcast Communications in Australia," Leslie R. Free reviewed the existing state of broadcast communications in Australia and commented on the telecommunications arrangements with neighboring countries. In so doing, he examined in depth the geographic features that have contributed to the variety of developments in broadcast communications in Australia - this includes the size and density of the population and the spread of population as compared to other coun-
tries. He also described the nature and structure of broadcast communications, listed the planned services and forecasted future developments, such as DBS, MDS, CABLE, and Pay Television. And finally, he considered the future of services currently existing but not yet introduced into Australia, with emphasis on their feasibility in Australia.
Part II: Information Services and Systems Session 1: Digital Networks (Reporter: David Smith) The focus of this group of presentations was on the use of local area communication networks by individual corporations. Despite the common focus, each of the lectures represented a unique perspective on the subject, from design strategies to technical considerations, to descriptions of specific networks.
Smart Buildings In his paper, T. Cross concentrated on the emergence of "intelligent buildings" in directing building development. These intelligent buildings include facilities for energy management, and other information technologies. Technological and social factors affecting the specific approach are taken into account in designing the building. These factors include: the need to understand the technologies being used, the driving forces behind the technologies, and the need to understand the specific organizational needs and desires in relation to the building. Cross' presentation was entitled "Smart Buildings for Intelligent People".
Digital Data Exchange (DDX) C. Endo et al. reviewed five years of experience with the Digital Data Exchange (DDX) networks developed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone. Attention was given not only to the design of the networks, but also, usage trends discovered since 1979, and plans for the continued evolution of the networks into the basis of non-voice communications.
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Private ISDN System In recent years, a great deal of research and development activity has centered on realizing integrated services public digital networks. Y. Fujisaki and T. Hayashi briefly described the design concepts and system configuration of a private ISDN system that has been developed for intra-company information networks systems in "Integrated Services Private Digital Communication System." Fujisaki and Hayashi illustrated that the private information network system provides the following benefits for businesses: improved communication quality and reduction of communication cost; doubling of the transmission capacity; and a realization of new services unavailable in the past, such as video teleconference and high-speed data transmission.
Future Traffic Characteristics K. Giesken continued the discussion of ISDN's with an analysis of the expected future traffic characteristics that will be significantly different from standard telephone traffic. These differences range from very high traffic levels to very high call attempt levels. Such differences will have an impact on the conventional design of central processing systems and traditional switching networks. An architecture which avoids the traffic bottlenecks identified in earlier systems, serves switching requirements, and provides other advantages was described in Giesken's presentation, entitled " I S D N Features Require New Capabilities in Digital Switching Systems". Communications Gateways D. Harris p,,sented an overview of the various technology trends affecting local access (ISDN, LAN, and other concentration and interconnection technologies). Integration of these advanced technologies with public telephone company networks poses a number of strategic questions for telephone companies. Alternative strategies were discussed, ranging from passive to active, the major variable being those behind further technological advances.
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Session 2: I S D N in the Pacific
(Reporter: Lori Van Dusen)
Developments in Asia The lecture presented by B.A. Moul discussed the prospects for ISDN development in Asia. Moul began by discussing the conclusions and recommendations arising from the Asia Pacific Seminar on Network Digitalization. He then discussed the strategic position of Hong Kong in the Asian Pacific Area, detailing the current status of Hong Kong's digital development and plans for the future. This was followed by summaries of the current status and future prospects for digital development in a number of Asian states including Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines and others.
ISDN in Your Future Integrated Services Digital Networks (" ISDNs") accord users one versatile medium to transmit and process any type of intelligence. The convenience of one "transparent" conduit requires major changes in the policy, industry structure, economics and regulation of telecommunications and information processing. R. Frieden, in "There's an ISDN in your Telecommunications Future", expressed the concern and need for nations to accommodate new technological imperatives, coordinate systems, and plan universal operating formats while no doubt promoting national philosophies and products. Further, Frieden called for the Federal Communications Commission to adapt domestically based policies and rules for the international arena without abandoning its advocacy for ISDN flexibility and open access.
Session 3: User Requirements
(Reporter: Anne Witebsky) The lectures in this session all focussed on the unique needs of people in rural settings, whether on a Native American reservation in Arizona, U.S.A., in Aboriginal and Islander communities in Australia, in India, or in remote areas of eastern China.
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Papago Indian Reservation
Rural Areas in China
G. Ellerman and J. Underwood described in their lecture the unique problems posed by the remote geographic location of the Papago reservation which consists of fifty-five distinct communities in an area of 4,000 square miles and is home to about 8,500 people. The majority of the vilages are isolated and have limited access to communications facilities. The authors focussed on the loan program that was designed to help meet the needs of the Papago people, the system design prepared utilizing digital switching equipment, and digital microwave and digital transmission devices. The study included subscriber forecasts, a computer design program based upon the REA S.A.V.E. (Serving Area Value Engineering) technique, the equipment choices, toll system and cost breakdown, and feasibility studies.
Over eighty percent of China's population lives in rural areas. In many instances however telephone service to agricultural regions is very limited, and in some villages nonexistent. In Kizhen Wu and Michael J. Miller's lecture they discussed a design and feasibility study being undertaken jointly by researchers in Shandong University and in the South Australian Institute of Technology, of Adelaide, Australia. The research focusses on the development of digital radio subscriber point-tomultipoint (PMP) equipment use. Wu and Miller explained that this type of system operates in cellular arrangements, that is, in any one cell, subscriber radio units communicate with a base station in a point-to-multipoint configuration. The PMP system both takes advantage of modern digital transmission techniques to provide high quality service with maximum conservation of frequency spectrum use, and PMP digital radio systems are relatively compact and require less installation time than more conventional cable systems. This makes them flexible as systems with the potential to provide cost-effective low density telephone service in rural regions and as an initial telephone service infrastructure to select areas of relatively high density, the authors point out. These systems serve as a cost-effective interim measure for China in regions of low telephone user density or in regions inaccessible to subscriber cable services until more conventional means of transmission are available.
In Australia
Some of the problems in the Aboriginal and Islander communities in Australia compare to those of the Papago reservation. In the lecture presented by A.G. Bliss and B. Phillis, the authors noted that two thirds of the Aboriginal and Islander communities are located in remote areas of Australia, These communities are distant from both the current telecommunications network and from the nearest service centers, with settlements ranging in size from 30 to 1000 people. Considerations include climatic factors, linguistic diversity, relationship to land, community infrastructure, economic base, population mobility, and awareness of telecommunications options. Bfiss and Phillis outlined the strategy adopted to provide services for this region and group. They discussed the commercial strategy: optimizing market penetration and ensuring customer access to services while maximizing revenue through subsequent network usage, how to establish adequate service, demand forecasting in an area new to the technology, coin telephone access, individual consultation with each community (to better ensure the achievement of adequate and reduce the uncertainty felt by the population about the introduction of telecommunication services), and program management processes with regard to commercial targets for 1984-1990 (the target completion date).
Digital Revolution in India S. Rai and A. Khetarpaul's "Digital Revolution in India - A Perspective" envisaged proliferation of computer uses in different walks of Indian society. The presentation reviewed the events leading to the current modernization strategy and also outlined some possible future developments that the authors feel may improve the existing developmental situation. Rai and Khetarpaul also presented a general picture of India in its quest for digital alternatives. A case study of the "CLASS" project, a nation-wide "computer literacy" educational program, was described as an illustration of the Indian commitment to developments in this area.
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Session 4: Technical/Engineering Aspects
Intermodulation Noise
(Reporter: Wendy Schultz ) The Technical/Engineering Aspects discussion group on Information Services and Systems featured three lectures relating to scientific analysis of modem performance, and technologies to aid and enhance modem use. The other lectures evaluated computer-assisted operator services in telephone communications, and the use of a radio-mini terminal system permitting transmission of text messages.
T. Kamal in his presentation "Analysis of Intermodulation Noise Due to Harmonic Transmission in PSK Communication System Using TWT Amplifier", discussed an expression for intermodulation noise produced due to harmonic transmission. The lecture specifically illustrated the derivation of the expression and the calculation of the phase distortion. The intermodulation products have been expressed in terms of input harmonic levels and the channel characteristics in this lecture. Kamal also calculated the intermodulation noise.
A Coded 8 P S K Modem
Message Terminals in Remote Areas
M. Miavke's "A Study of a Coded 8PSK Modem with a Viterbi Decoder Using Simplified Metric Calculation" addressed the problem of using a simple Viterbi decoder for a coded octal phase-shift keying (gPSK) modem. According to Miyake, it is important, often essential, to simplify the process of metric calculation in a Viterbi decoder, since it realizes reduced hardware complexity and highspeed operation of the modem. An analytical expression was introduced for the performance of a coded 8PSK modem with such a Viterbi decoder, and was then applied to a typical coded 8PSK modem. It was shown that the modem can be designed with simple values of parameters with no significant performance degradation.
N. Serinken and S.M. Chow presented a lecture entitled "Automatic High-Frequency Radio Message Terminal System for Sparsely Populated Communities." They linked state-of-the-art technical improvements with the practical applications in remote or less developed locales, as Mrs'. Raju did in her article. A mesage terminal for use in remote communities has been designed to augment the capabilitites of existing High-Frequency (HF) radios by allowing transmission of text messages. Tests demonstrated that message communication was performed when radio conditions did not permit intelligible voice transmission. The terminal has an automatic frequency selection feature to increase system reliability. The system does not require radio operators, and can be easily used by non-technical users. The terminal network can be enhanced by a system controller to provide HF radio discipline to minimize collisions between stations, and to overlay an electronic mail facility.
Store & Forward Trunk Switching "Store and Forward Trunk Switching," a lecture presented by V. Raju and C.S. Mohan, explained how India has streamlined the operator services capability of transit exchanges with cordless visual display units (VDUs) providing the operators computer assistance. The traditional method of ticket preparation was computerized and all operator positions provided with VDUs and keyboards. The main asset of this system is the flexibility achieved from identical operator positions: type, group, and traffic assignments can be changed by commands. Operations are cordless. The work stations are designed with human engineering and ergonomic principles in mind to provide simple and efficient work stations.
Digital Technology and Data Modems The last presentation in this working group considered the interaction between the development of digital technology generally and the evolution of the M O D E M specifically. M. Kawai:~ "Impact of Digital Technology on Data Modems" provided an overview of how the introduction of digital signal processing has contributed to the development of data MODEMs in terms of size, power, capacity, and cost. Kawai gave specific examples, and discussed future trends in MODEM development as well. The examples included de-
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tailed comparisons in total number of M O D E M components across generations, changes in size, power consumption, and weight of M O D E M s across generations, and changes in manufacturing time and estimated failure rates of M O D E M s in different generations.
Part III: Policies & Policymaking for a Digital World Sessio- 1: International Issues (Reporter: Vince Diaz ) The unifying theme throughout the lectures in this session was the need to identify and clarify current and emerging issues surrounding an increasingly deregulated international telecommunications environment. Satellite Communications As evidenced in the title, "International Policy Issues in Satellite Communications," W. Dizard reviewed some of the major issues and their potential effect on future developments in that arena. Noting that satellite expansion has taken place within a global network - a context fundamentally different from the growth of normal telecommunication networks which begin small and build outward - Dizard revealed that satellite policy issues will focus increasingly on the pattern of "local" networks. Among the issues discussed, the most notable for Dizard was the future role of INTELSAT vis-a-vis the emergence of a host of commercial firms which pose a direct and indirect competition to that consortium's "chosen instrument" status. Another issue was the apparent attempt by the "Third World" to promote "rigid" planning of radio frequencies and geostationary orbital slots. In addition, the issues of the potential for overcapacity (enabled by new technology) and the reexamination of equal satellite/cable usage as mandated by the FCC in the United States also requires clarification. This, he explained, is especially warranted given the context of apparent extensions of "open skies" policies into the international arena.
Role of Standards A. Hills narrowed the focus within the same broad context of deregulation in his paper, " T h e Role of Standards in a Competitive Telecommunications Environment." He argued that certain economic principles render standards necessary for proper competition to exist. Using examples, Hills demonstrated that standards serve as a basis on which producers can compete - a process held to be beneficial both to producers and consumers of equipment and services alike. In fact, he argued, a rise in competition actually heightens the importance of standards and Hills reminded the FCC of its important role in setting standards. Like Dizard, Hills argued that this is especially vital within an era which finds the Commission paying greater "allegiance to market forces." How to Get There Convinced that I S D N is necessary for the 1990's and beyond, E. Lohse feels that the problem, in fact, is just exactly " h o w to get there." In that regard, the lecture "Standards Needed for International Digital Telecommunications" continued the dialogue on vital issues in its focus on the importance of standards within the ISDN. In addition to presenting an overview of approved and soon-tobe-approved Standards and Recommendations by ISO, IEC, and CCITT, Lohse discussed the values, benefits, impacts and advantages of D T E features and services for information users, carriers, providers, processors, and managers respectively. Importance of C C I T T B. Sincavage addressed the crucial question of who will serve as central disseminator of guidelines and standards in " T h e Growing Importance of the C C I T T in the Face of Deregulation." He discussed the role of the C C I T T within the historical development of the ITU, noted that arm's growing success and reputation, and argued that it is a sound, logical choice for filling in the consultative void which new carriers and firms would encounter.
Session 2: Choosing Technology (Reporter: Lori Van Dusen) The presentations in this session built on a common theme of the need for infrastructure and
Conference Reports policy formulation predicated on the choosing of technology with an emphasis on the needs of Third World countries.
Advantages of INTELSA T J. Crispin argued in his presentation that, because of the large distances involved and the ability of satellites in the geostationary orbit to both provide wide area and selected coverage, INTELSAT must continue to provide the major portion of international communications on a cost effective basis in the Pacific Ocean area. Thus from the perspective of the user, according to Crispin, I N T E L S A T has the advantage of already having a traffic and revenue basis justifying a global system including a Pacific area capability which can normally accommodate additional requirements. Crispin illustrated INTELSAT's ability to provide a cheaper and more flexible response to domestic requirements under most circumstances provided that cost effectiveness is the major criterion. A USSA T Program In his lecture E.J. Wilkinson called for national and regional telecommunication infrastructures which permit the "convergence" of the digital signals of telephone traffic, computer and other data inter-connections and entertainment to b e distributed, switched, charged and controlled b y the households and business premises of the South Pacific. W Nowland illustrated in his overview of Australia's national satellite program - AUSSAT - the intricate and networked planning behind a chosen national technology and its possible impact on the South Pacific. Wilkinson's "System and Hardware Options for Digital Telecommunication Networks in the South Pacific" concentrated largely upon system and hardware options available for the South Pacific. He supported the claim of remote outposts of the Pacific that they should also gain the benefit of digitalization networks and services, not for improved business profit but for quick and reliable delivery of private correspondence. Wilkinson called for the earliest possible co-ordination of what is at present largely unco-ordinated planning and development of the three rapidly converging signal streams (i) telephone and telegraph; (ii) computer and data; and (iii) entertainment.
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Australian Satellite System Nowland's " T h e Australian Satellite System Present & Future Plans" provided an overview of Australia's national satellite program - AUSSAT - and presented a brief description of the system, its intended applications, and future plans for a second generation system, including its possible application to neighboring countries such as New Zealand and the South-West Pacific. Additional Broadcast System In the study presented by T. Iida, the concept of an additional broadcast system was discussed for the Asian and Oceanian regions. This proposal is for a regional broadcast system that would allow each country within the system to have its own broadcast system, thus enhancing program diversity, rather than excluding existing terrestrial overseas broadcasting systems. Iida et al. addressed the purpose for establishing a regional broadcasting system, noting that while regional satellite systems are already operated or planned as system intermediates (between global and domestic systems) in Europe, Indonesia and the Arabic nations, the Pacific area is served only by PEACESAT whose ATS-1 satellite operations may soon cease. The authors attempted to determine the overall feasibility of a regional broadcast system. They focussed on three major factors: the geographic region in conjunction with population size and national incomes in various countries; the need for a satellite broadcast system to serve countries without TV broadcasting systems or with only limited TV broadcasting hours or with an inadequate number of TV sets spread throughout the region; and the possibility of actualizing a broadcasting system. As it is currently proposed, this system will be composed of seven Asian countries and eight countries in the Oceanian region.
S e s s i o n 3: H u m a n R e s o u r c e s and T r a i n i n g
(Reporter: David A. Smith) The impact of telecommunications advances on education and training has been dramatic. This session's lecturers demonstrated just how dramatic
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that impact is. Presentations discussed a variety of human resource areas from training in corporations, to higher education programs in telecommunications, to computer-based training.
Creating Training Programs T.G. Fellows and P. Story discussed the need for those creating training programs to be aware of the new technology. They described the specific technologies that impact on training, their impact on the organization, and the problems that this creates for training. Four key issues were discussed in this context: the scope of the network changes, the rate of change, the number of people and the skill-type, and the changing business environment. Given these problems the authors proposed specific solutions. Univ. of Southwestern Louisiana The lecture presented by R. Cline discussed a formal telecommunications option of the electrical engineering degree offered at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. The program curriculum was shown to contain elements of three major areas: communications, computers, and business. Special emphasis is placed on the impact of digital technology on various aspects of the program. Cline also made some observations concerning teaching in such programs which has a significant international component in its student body.
Basis for Growth Moving from a specialist program to the impact on general education, W. Pierce described the challenge of coping with rapid change and incorporating the impact of technological change that is presented by telecommunications. The apparent need for wide based education to provide the basis for acceptance and application of the new technologies was discussed. This, in turn, depends on the ability of academic institutions to adapt to the new technologies. Finally, a pilot project introducing telecommunications course work at a small institution was used to explore the problems confronted with the implementation of this strategy.
Microtel Learning Services P. Hobson discussed a computer-based instructional system that is currently used by Microtel
Learning Services to train telecommunications personnel. After describing the nature of Microtel's goals and the specifics of their computer-based instructional system, Hobson presented a design process for CBI materials. Lastly, the advantages of MicroTICCIT were listed, including a costbenefit analysis.
Session 4: Social Impacts (Reporter: Anne Witebsky ) The presentations in this session focussed on the importance of considering social impacts of telecommunications technologies as well as the new applications for them. The lecturers discussed possible trends in networking as well as perceivable impacts of hybrid networks.
Info. Technology in Australia In his paper on "Information Technology in Australia - Capabilities and Opportunities," J. Spence described a study sponsored by the Australian government to assess opportunities in the information technology field. Spence began with observations on the importance of information technology, then described the organization and methodology of the study. He also described the recommendations arising from the study for Australia and for other nations of the Pacific region.
Social Definition Michael Gurstein, in his paper, took issue with the notion of digitalization as a merely technical term denoting the use of digital means for encoding and transmitting telecommunications messages. Instead, he suggested that there is also a social definition, i.e. it " m a y refer to the entire process of standardization and translation of a variety of technologies and systems into a common and interchangeable/intercommunicable/intertranslatable modality". He argued that to a great extent the world already exists as a single telecommunications system. This near universality has created a universal professional system reinforced by training programs, vendors and other areas of the service sector, as well as by institutions.
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However, this universality hasn't translated to a universalization of telecommunications. Gurstein noted that in developed countries digitalization will impact maintenance staff, facilitate broad range technology and system interlinking and integration, as well as change the nature of those systems required for digital networks. While in underdeveloped countries and between developed and underdeveloped countries a conflict between those who have access and those who have not may be further enhanced. This will arise when " m u c h of what is available in the developing world currently, [is made] obsolete while the cost of becoming technologically current [is made] prohibitive." Throughout his lecture Gurstein argued the possible pros and cons of digitization, emphasizing the need for us to recognize that as we shape our "tools", the shape of our tools and their impacts shape the world around us. Humans and Networks Taking the notion of changes in digital networks and the ensuing impact upon society into the future, John deMercado suggested that computer networks will evolve into Networks of minds existing in computer-communications systems. He elaborated that we are beginning to observe signs that Networks, like humans, can be builders of their own intellectual structures. Networks may in time establish their own laws of behavior. Yet, Networks' acquired intelligence may of necessity be perceived as alien to human intelligence. In his presentation, entitled "Computer-Communication Networks: What Are We Really Making?", deMercado illustrated a series of principles which will be aplied to Network behavior. He concluded his lecture by underlining the challenges that will be presented as the interaction of humans and Networks opens up the potential of large scale consequences arising from microscopic changes in software that will take place without human intervention.
Session 5: Network Planning and Management (Reporter: Wendy Schultz ) Conversion to Digital Exchange The Network Planning session began with a discussion of the eventual complete conversion of
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analog to digital exchanges in networks. This conversion must be implemented efficiently and economically; Mario Pietrogrande outlined current conditions and presents several conversion scenarios in his article, "Network Planning When Digital Equipment is Introduced in an Analog Environment." During the past 100 years, the planning of telecommunication networks has been characterized by the search for the most economic location of the central offices and the most economic alternate routing. The introduction of digital exchanges in an analog environment has created an additional problem in the design of the networks, both long distance and metropolitan: how to economically introduce new digital exchanges and new digital trunks in an analog environment, maximizing the enormous economic advantages presented by the utilization of digital technology. The conversion of the networks from totally analog to totally digital will take at least 20 years; during this period planners have to evaluate and reduce to the minimum the analog to digital interface. Pietrogrande examined three different methods of network planning to accomplish this, with practical examples of real applications. Technical Assistance Aspects In their presentation, K. Nakamura and S. Itoh discussed the technical assistance aspects of the digital world. The authors outlined what is required of a technical assistance system, analyzed the system's contents, and noted some basic conditions and goals. The second portion of the lecture detailed the organization of the Technical Assistance System developed by Fujitsu from overall configuration to specific subsystems. Nakamura and Itoh concluded that an effective technical assistance system is essential to a successful ISDN. Operations Planning D. Rosen presented a practical approach to computerizing telecommunications operations in a telephone operating company through the use of Operations Planning. He described the fundamentals of Operations Planning, including functions, centers, systems, and processes. The discussion was followed by an analysis of the design of operations systems with specific suggestions on the architecture of vertically integrated, distributed
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systems taken from past lessons of distributed systems. Lastly, various means of integration of systems into operations were detailed. Rosen's lecture was entitled "Mechanizing Telecommunications Operations for a Digital World".
PTC '85 Working Groups There were 22 Working Groups at PTC'85, with ten or more participants per group. The problems under discussion in these Working Groups ranged from the Pacific Information Network System (PINS) to Building a Pacific Telecommunity and on through teleports, training needs, forecasting, deregulation, teleconferencing, and more. The interest of the Working Groups, which began at PTC '84, was to provide an opportunity for all PTC fiaembers to participate in discussions of problems of mutual interest. Most Working Groups were suggested by members. During PTC '85, approximately 250 registrants participated in one of the 22 Working Groups.
Telecom Skills Workshops The 1985 Telecom Skills Workshops led a group of 110 non-technical managers and students through a two-day foray into the world of bits, bytes, twisted pairs, and optical fibers. The Workshops offered seven three-hour sessions
with experts exploring topics ranging from office automation, to technical training and education, to the UNIX operating system, with an eye toward an introductory approach to telecommunications technologies and capabilities. PTC member Teresa Buczkowska presented a Digital Tutorial that demystified some of the more fundamental concepts of digital transmission. In a workshop on Teleconferencing and Information System Technologies, Clay Vollan, George Darby, and Carol Tenopir held an interactive session with forty participants who learned the basics of audio, video, and compressed bandwidth teleconferencing and experienced "hands-on" demonstrations of the BRS and other Online Information Systems. George Lissandrello, an active PTC member since 1980, presented an informative session. Gerhard Hanneman of San Francisco gave a Teleports Workshop which provided an introduction to teleports and to leading edge materials. The Proceedings of PTC '85 are available through the University of Hawaii Press, 2840 Kolowalu Street, Honolulu, HI 96822, U.S.A. 427 pages. ISBN 0-8248-1009-0. There is also a full set of PTC '85 Reports, Case Studies, Keynote Addresses, and Papers which can be separately ordered directly through the Pacific Telecommunications Council. For further information on these publications, contact the Pacific Telecommunications Council, Publications Department, 1110 University Avenue, Suite 308, Honolulu, HI 96826, U.S.A.
International Communications and Energy Conference An International Communications and Energy Conference, as well as the first Canadian Programmable Controllers Conference, was held in Montreal, Canada from October 2-4, 1984. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Canadian Region, sponsored the event; Paul Major was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee. 45,000 square feet of space were allotted at the Palais des Congres de Montreal for over 125 c o r n -
panies to display their products at the Conference. In addition, twenty companies had booths dedicated to Programmable Controllers, a venture jointly sponsored by IEEE Conferences Montreal Inc. and by the Microelectronics Centre of Winnipeg. A panel discussion was held at the conference and focussed on Power-Telecommunications Systems Coordination. David G. Vice, President of Northern Telecom
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P T C '85 - P a c i f i c T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Conference The seventh annual conference of the Pacific Telecommunications Council spent four days in January this year examining the coming digital world and its potential effects on the Pacific area. The conclusion of the speakers and discussants was that the region needs expanded services, better training for telecommunications world, and international standards to govern the proliferating technology. More than 500 delegates from more than 30 countries and Pacific islands gathered in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A. from January 13-16, to hear a series of international leaders talk about political, economic, social, and technological ramifications of the coming "digital world" for telecommunications services in the Pacific region. The conference also featured case studies on telecommunications in New Zealand, New Caledonia, Taiwan and Korea. The conference theme was "Toward a Digital World", envisioning a world increasingly interconnected by high speed, technologically accurate channels of information. We feature below a detailed report on PTC '85. The report is based on the session summaries provided by the PTC reports active at the conference.
Keynote Addresses In an opening keynote speech, Javier Jimenez Espriu, Mexico's Undersecretary of Communications and Transportation, sounded a theme repeated and explored throughout the conference: Technology should be a positive force in society, extending values, morals, and aesthetics to increase education and knowledge. Furthermore, said Jimenez, new services should be cheap, simple and North-Holland Computer Networks and ISDN Systems 10 (1985) 39-57
needed. We must, he concluded, strive to make communications a way to unite and not to dominate, to liberate and not alienate, to orient and not to confound. Another opening speaker was David J. Markey, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Markey discussed the U.S. position on the potential use of private satellites to augment the services provided by INTELSAT. He also touched on matters related to the deregulation of the U.S. telecommunications industry. Another major speaker, Jean-Claude Delorme, talked about "Education in a Digital World", a continuing interest of the Pacific Telecommunications Council, at the annual PTC luncheon on January 15. Delorme is President and Chief Executive Officer of Teleglobe Canada. He cautioned conferees about advancing into the new technology without a solid educational base. " T h e human mind remains the most sophisticated computer, and we should therefore concern ourselves with the necessity to understand it adequately, through basic education, to perform the functions that are expected of it - if we do not want the computers to take over entirely", Delorme said in his address. Indonesia's Minister of Tourism, Posts and Telecommunications Achmad Tahir reported on the progress of the Independent Commission for World Wide Telecommunications toward its goal of putting all mankind within easy reach of a telephone by the first part of the next century. If industrial and developing countries work close enough together, he said, that goal can be reached. Tahir further presented some of the views of The Maitland Commission on sharing technology with Third World nations. Moriya Koyama, Administrative Vice Minister of Posts and Telecommunication in Japan, echoed Tahir's call, saying that rapid technological pro-
0376-5075/85/$3.30 © 1985, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (North-Holland)
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gress demands that we go beyond the usual national means of consulting one another and use organizations such as PTC for international consultation. Deregulation was the topic of his speech, entitled " N e w Communication Age in Japan". Participants identified standards as an important part of governing the proliferation technology. To insure that data communications standards will be beneficial to the many user sections, dialogue is needed between individual users, user organizations, industry associations, and network providers. According to L. John Rankine of IBM, if the potential of new digital channels is going to meet the needs of users, standardization world must be done once, done right, and done internationally.
Changing User Requirements R. Kenedi and D.S. Rendall (Northern Telecom Inc.) discussed changing user trends and their effect on the current telecommunications network as it is changing to an Integrated Digital Network. To obtain ubiquitous combined voice-data access and economically exploit it within any reasonable time frame, Data Above Voice techniques may also be needed to meet the changing user requirements that are forecasted. Kenedi and Rendall also concluded that both circuit and packet switching techniques with a single optimized access may result. Their Keynote Address was entitled " T h e Impact of Changing User Requirements on Integrated Digital Network Systems".
What is a Digital World? 1NTELSAT Martin Fournier (Teleglobe Canada) reviewed the status of and the trends in the field of telecommunications and examined the impact of recent advances in technology on service and facility development. According to Fournier, operational and economic considerations will no doubt constrain the evolution toward a digital world. However, challenges and opportunities are numerous and limited only by our innovative abilities and imagination. I N S and Communication In his Keynote Address, Michio Nagai, Senior Advisor to the Rector at the United Nations University, discussed " I N S and Communication International and Domestic". He covered five aspects: (1) Historical Background, (2) Receiver of International Communication, (3) Scientific and Technological Renovation, (4) Mutual Understanding and Development Within Asia-Pacific and (5) From Asia-Pacific to the World. Data Communications Standards According to L. John Rankine (IBM Corporation, U.S.A.), data communications standards are a significant factor in the emerging digital environment. He noted in his presentation that activities like ISDN are at the center of the international issues and challenges which need to be resolved to make the "Digital World" a reality.
Richard R. Colino, Director General of INTELSAT, explained in detail the goals, activities and accomplishments of the I N T E L S A T Global Satellite System as it has evolved over the last 20 years and, in particular, how it has given definition to the concept of a global common-user system with special emphasis on how I N T E L S A T has served the Asia/Pacific region. He also emphasized the importance of the common user system to achieving the effective utilization of the GSO by all the countries of the world and how, on a practical basis, I N T E L S A T today and, even more so, in the future, may serve as a primary means by which developing countries can achieve equitable access to communications satellite services. International Regulations In a Keynote Address, entitled "International Regulations Concerning Space Radiocommunication Services", Moreshwar D. Sant ( I F R B / I T U , Switzerland) described the development of international regulations over the past twenty years and the essential purpose of the existing regulations. Sant also discussed the activities foreseen in the forthcoming ITU world conferences in 1985 and 1988 on planning of the geostationary satellite orbit.
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Special Feature: Teletrack Dan J. Wedemeyer (University of Hawaii) pointed out that one noteworthy innovation of PTC '85 was Teletrack, a series of presentations running parallel to the regular conference sessions but in a totally electronic format. Teletrack's intent was to increase the variety of material presented and to stimulate additional participation by presenters, while, at the same time, extending the ability of other conferees to hear lectures on topics of special interest to them. Its format gave each selected presenter a 20-minute time slot for a live video presentation carried on the closed circuit television system of the conference hotel. Conferees who missed a live presentation could see it on videotape at any time in two viewing areas during the conference. New Caledonia Christian Gheorghieu explained that the integrated digital network in New Caledonia is providing improved quality of service, the development of new products and services, bubbled "Telematic." Most importantly, it has opened up the country to automatic contacts with the rest of the world. Gheorgiev noted that the integrated digital network provides great possibilities for business by allowing the establishment of relations between two subscribers belonging to interconnected networks via "packet transmission", with great reliability, speed, and lower cost. Packet digital switching can be envisaged for all types of application: transactions management, shared time, transmission of files or results, teletreatment in batches, and message transmission. Taiwan, ROC Taiwan's rapid economic growth and industrial development have increased the demand for more efficient telecommunications services. Y.K. Chen pointed out that to satisfy this demand, Taiwan is aiming at digitizing the existing telecommunications network together with other dedicated services networks in order to reach the ISDN goal of sharing the use of network resources by all services. The four existing dedicated telecommunications networks, each optimized for a specific service, will be used until the ISDN transport
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scheme integrates circuit and packet switching and the newly introduced teletex service with telex. Future international communications developments include providing a satellite business service through joint use of time-division multiple access (TDMA) features of the Indian Ocean INTELSAT satellite in 1986, and construction of three new submarine cable systems to meet the increasing demand.
New Zealand According to Harry A. Whale, New Zealand's geographic isolation from other nations and the great distances between its communities has spurred early development of high quality national and international telecommunications services. Whale noted that two recently installed key elements of the growing digital network are a high capacity backbone trunk system, with both digital microwave and digital coaxial systems, and, in 1983, the first optical fiber cable system. The final link in the digital network chain, the local loop, is already in sight, with digital equipment already in use to provide telephone service to remote rural communities. New Zealand has also introduced packet switching service for both domestic and international communications, providing transport for new services such as videotex and point-of-sale electronic funds transfer.
Republic of Korea The long-term government objective in the Republic of Korea is to bring about the ISDN by providing multipurpose transmission service using a single telephone network to substitute for now separately operated information networks. The Data Communications Corporation of Korea began commercial data service in 1983 and currently provides data transmission, data processing, and data bank services. Eung-hyo Lee pointed out that efforts to modernize the telephone system in Korea encountered serious problems with a backlogged subscriber waiting list, traffic congestion, and poor quality of service. These problems had to be solved collectively by electronization of switching systems and digitalization of networks. The government adopted analog electronic switching system (ESS) for urban areas, digital ESS for toll centers and rural areas, and advanced pulse code modulation (PCM) for transmission systems.
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Part I: Current Digital Developments Session 1: Business Developments (Reporter: Wendy Schultz) In looking at current digital developments in business, the lecturers in this session concentrated on expansions in services offered both to individual consumers and to large business concerns. Their lectures assessed present domestic technical capabilities, described the markets for those capabilities, and suggested where expansions of both domestic and international systems would further serve present customers, and attract new customers. Planned expansions to domestic and international digital communications systems were also discussed.
Services in New Zealand In "Emerging Information Services in New Zealand," Laurence Zwimpfer presented an inventory of the New Zealand computer-communications links in place and in planning. Concentrating on videotex, teletext, and database development, he outlined the advantages of various different technical approaches, pointed out some limitations, and suggested support strategies to broaden marketability. Because of New Zealand's widely scattered population and its geographic isolation from the rest of the world, communications have always played a major part in the country's economy. Zwimpfer's speech demonstrates that rapid progress is being made in building a new digital network that will both upgrade and expand existing voice communications as well as lay the foundation for New Zealand to enter the information age.
Digitalization in Japan The first paper concerning Japan's digital communications network focussed on the international flow of information. Japan is undertaking digitalization of its international communications networks. These digital transmission links will be implemented using digital satellite communications systems and optical fiber submarine cables.
Digital switching systems are also being implemented at INTS. Kinji Iwasaki's lecture, "Digitalization of Japan's International Networks," outlined the technical requirements and uniform specifications necessary to make this idea a reality.
Facsimile Use in Japan On the domestic front, Norihiko Ando looked at the remarkable growth of facsimile use in Japan: "Digital Network for Facsimile Communications Facsimile Communications Network Service" (FCNS). N T T has been providing an exclusive network service for facsimile communications, FCNS, since 1981 to answer the demands for facsimile communications. The FCNS is the leading service of ISDN (called INS) which N T T is now promoting with emphasis. Ando began by outlining the purposes of FCNS, and then described its current operations. This includes network configurations, service functions, and charges. Finally, several applications of the facsimile network were described, including an investors' information service, educational services, and retail business services.
Videotex Industry in Canada The videotex industry in Canada has evolved quite substantially over the past five years and has undergone very distinct waves of change. Peter J. Booth, in " T h e Evolution of Videotex", examined the evolution of Videotex in Canada and North America, and defined three distinct stages of development. The first was the technical phase dominated by product definition and laboratory testing. The second phase was dominated by optimistic projections of mass market acceptance and the joint participation of the federal government and industry in numerous field trials. The third phase saw major changes with the focus of activity on the U.S. market, a trend toward home banking and interactive services, the development of micro-based NAPLPS software and a realization that government support would diminish in the near future. These developments led to major alterations in the industry structure which Booth indicates raise major questions about the future of Videotex in Canada.
Conference Reports S e s s i o n 2: Satellite D e v e l o p m e n t s Digital
Analog vs
(Reporter: Vince Diaz) Using I N T E L S A T
INTELSAT's use of digital modulation/multiple access techniques for thin-route international communications began in the early 1970's, with S C P C / P C M / P S K and S C P C / P C M / P S K with Demand Assignment (SPADE). Both international and domestic thin-route requirements have increased dramatically since then, as smaller earth stations and equally innovative modulation/multiple access techniques, both digital and analog, have evolved. J. Pelton and T.M. Kelley stated that INTELSAT can now supply thin-route data distribution services using "microterminals" with 0.75meter antennas, and single voice channel service from earth stations with 3-meter antennas. Pelton and Kelley, in "Global Thin-Route Services Using INTELSAT: Digital and Analog Solutions", then traced the development of the wide variety of thin-route services offered by INTELSAT. They explained the background for the choice of modulation/multiple access techniques, adapted for existing services, and outlined the major facets of INTELSAT's future in an increasingly digital communications environment. S C P C Networks
"Digital Techniques for SCPC Networks" by A. Sewerinson and J. McKay explored the general advantages of digital SCPC Networks, followed by a closer look at tradeoffs involved in the capacity of transponders. The many options available for digital processing of the signals were discussed, with special emphasis on speech coding. The status of digital SCPC systems in Canada was then described. Sewerinson and McKay perceive modern telecommunications being changed by the accelerating rate of developments in digital techniques and VLSI circuit capabilities, specifically true in the field of satellite systems. The authors also find that digital SCPC networks provide inexpensive, efficient, versatile, and adaptable communications for thin route applications.
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SCPC - Features and Advantages
Widely used in international and domestic systems for telephone and data networks, SCPC continues to be recognized as a sound investment decision in the provision of the thin route satellite communications. H. Shimayama et al. in "Stateof-the-Art SCPC Communications Systems" discussed the main features and advantages of SCPC - its flexibility in handling various types of services as well as its ability to accommodate various configurations within specific system parameters. Specifically, Shimayama discussed state-of-the-art SCPC systems for C, Ku, and Ka bands. In particular, he discussed: 1) present SCPC system design and associated earth station configuration; 2) SCPC analog and digital modulation techniques and FEC performance; and 3) SCPC system applications in the Japanese CS-2 Ka band satellite system. In addition, some technical considerations which allow for a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of various SCPC techniques were presented from both a technological and applications perspectives.
S e s s i o n 3: Fiber Optic D e v e l o p m e n t s
(Reporter: David Smith) This session focussed on various applications of fiber optic technology. The lectures included discussions of research on the potential and planned applications as well as the case study of actual application of the technology. The recent single mode advancements are of particular importance in these presentations. Undersea Communications J.M. Sipress of A T & T Bell Laboratories discussed the new capabilities, the technology, and planned and proposed applications of cost-effective undersea digital and lightwave communications. The rapid advances in digital and lightwave technology permit the realization of significantly new communications capability via undersea cable systems. According to Sipress, the planned transpacific cable, an example of a cost-effective digital lightwave system spanning an ocean, only makes way for a future which may see unrepeatered lightwave systems approaching 200 Km in length providing
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for communications across channels, between islands and to offshore islands and structures without any underwater electronics.
Undersea Cables J. Tilly and H.F. Preston discussed the planned use of fiber optic technologies as a replacement for intercontinental and international undersea coaxial cables. The role of digital undersea cables are expected to play an increased role in global telecommunications. In applying digital undersea cables certain challenges have been addressed in the context of the undersea environment. Advantages following from this application will include the ability to network and integrate cost reductions, and the ability to gain operational advantages here-to-fore available exclusively from satellite communications. The presentation was entitled "Digital Undersea Cables: Progress and Applications". Hawaiian Telephone Co. Experience R. Miyahara presented the results of an Hawaiian Telephone Company experiment attempting to construct a repeaterless, 90 Mb, trunk system 35 Km long, using existing multimode technology. Despite the apparent obsolescence of the multimode technology since the introduction of single mode fibers, there are still short-haul applications where the use of multimode fiber may be more practical. According to Miyahara, this should be especially important where long wavelength multimode fibers are already in place.
Session 4: Broadcasting Developments (Reporter: Anne Witebsky ) In "Broadcast Communications in Australia," Leslie R. Free reviewed the existing state of broadcast communications in Australia and commented on the telecommunications arrangements with neighboring countries. In so doing, he examined in depth the geographic features that have contributed to the variety of developments in broadcast communications in Australia - this includes the size and density of the population and the spread of population as compared to other coun-
tries. He also described the nature and structure of broadcast communications, listed the planned services and forecasted future developments, such as DBS, MDS, CABLE, and Pay Television. And finally, he considered the future of services currently existing but not yet introduced into Australia, with emphasis on their feasibility in Australia.
Part II: Information Services and Systems Session 1: Digital Networks (Reporter: David Smith) The focus of this group of presentations was on the use of local area communication networks by individual corporations. Despite the common focus, each of the lectures represented a unique perspective on the subject, from design strategies to technical considerations, to descriptions of specific networks.
Smart Buildings In his paper, T. Cross concentrated on the emergence of "intelligent buildings" in directing building development. These intelligent buildings include facilities for energy management, and other information technologies. Technological and social factors affecting the specific approach are taken into account in designing the building. These factors include: the need to understand the technologies being used, the driving forces behind the technologies, and the need to understand the specific organizational needs and desires in relation to the building. Cross' presentation was entitled "Smart Buildings for Intelligent People".
Digital Data Exchange (DDX) C. Endo et al. reviewed five years of experience with the Digital Data Exchange (DDX) networks developed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone. Attention was given not only to the design of the networks, but also, usage trends discovered since 1979, and plans for the continued evolution of the networks into the basis of non-voice communications.
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Private ISDN System In recent years, a great deal of research and development activity has centered on realizing integrated services public digital networks. Y. Fujisaki and T. Hayashi briefly described the design concepts and system configuration of a private ISDN system that has been developed for intra-company information networks systems in "Integrated Services Private Digital Communication System." Fujisaki and Hayashi illustrated that the private information network system provides the following benefits for businesses: improved communication quality and reduction of communication cost; doubling of the transmission capacity; and a realization of new services unavailable in the past, such as video teleconference and high-speed data transmission.
Future Traffic Characteristics K. Giesken continued the discussion of ISDN's with an analysis of the expected future traffic characteristics that will be significantly different from standard telephone traffic. These differences range from very high traffic levels to very high call attempt levels. Such differences will have an impact on the conventional design of central processing systems and traditional switching networks. An architecture which avoids the traffic bottlenecks identified in earlier systems, serves switching requirements, and provides other advantages was described in Giesken's presentation, entitled " I S D N Features Require New Capabilities in Digital Switching Systems". Communications Gateways D. Harris p,,sented an overview of the various technology trends affecting local access (ISDN, LAN, and other concentration and interconnection technologies). Integration of these advanced technologies with public telephone company networks poses a number of strategic questions for telephone companies. Alternative strategies were discussed, ranging from passive to active, the major variable being those behind further technological advances.
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Session 2: I S D N in the Pacific
(Reporter: Lori Van Dusen)
Developments in Asia The lecture presented by B.A. Moul discussed the prospects for ISDN development in Asia. Moul began by discussing the conclusions and recommendations arising from the Asia Pacific Seminar on Network Digitalization. He then discussed the strategic position of Hong Kong in the Asian Pacific Area, detailing the current status of Hong Kong's digital development and plans for the future. This was followed by summaries of the current status and future prospects for digital development in a number of Asian states including Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines and others.
ISDN in Your Future Integrated Services Digital Networks (" ISDNs") accord users one versatile medium to transmit and process any type of intelligence. The convenience of one "transparent" conduit requires major changes in the policy, industry structure, economics and regulation of telecommunications and information processing. R. Frieden, in "There's an ISDN in your Telecommunications Future", expressed the concern and need for nations to accommodate new technological imperatives, coordinate systems, and plan universal operating formats while no doubt promoting national philosophies and products. Further, Frieden called for the Federal Communications Commission to adapt domestically based policies and rules for the international arena without abandoning its advocacy for ISDN flexibility and open access.
Session 3: User Requirements
(Reporter: Anne Witebsky) The lectures in this session all focussed on the unique needs of people in rural settings, whether on a Native American reservation in Arizona, U.S.A., in Aboriginal and Islander communities in Australia, in India, or in remote areas of eastern China.
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Papago Indian Reservation
Rural Areas in China
G. Ellerman and J. Underwood described in their lecture the unique problems posed by the remote geographic location of the Papago reservation which consists of fifty-five distinct communities in an area of 4,000 square miles and is home to about 8,500 people. The majority of the vilages are isolated and have limited access to communications facilities. The authors focussed on the loan program that was designed to help meet the needs of the Papago people, the system design prepared utilizing digital switching equipment, and digital microwave and digital transmission devices. The study included subscriber forecasts, a computer design program based upon the REA S.A.V.E. (Serving Area Value Engineering) technique, the equipment choices, toll system and cost breakdown, and feasibility studies.
Over eighty percent of China's population lives in rural areas. In many instances however telephone service to agricultural regions is very limited, and in some villages nonexistent. In Kizhen Wu and Michael J. Miller's lecture they discussed a design and feasibility study being undertaken jointly by researchers in Shandong University and in the South Australian Institute of Technology, of Adelaide, Australia. The research focusses on the development of digital radio subscriber point-tomultipoint (PMP) equipment use. Wu and Miller explained that this type of system operates in cellular arrangements, that is, in any one cell, subscriber radio units communicate with a base station in a point-to-multipoint configuration. The PMP system both takes advantage of modern digital transmission techniques to provide high quality service with maximum conservation of frequency spectrum use, and PMP digital radio systems are relatively compact and require less installation time than more conventional cable systems. This makes them flexible as systems with the potential to provide cost-effective low density telephone service in rural regions and as an initial telephone service infrastructure to select areas of relatively high density, the authors point out. These systems serve as a cost-effective interim measure for China in regions of low telephone user density or in regions inaccessible to subscriber cable services until more conventional means of transmission are available.
In Australia
Some of the problems in the Aboriginal and Islander communities in Australia compare to those of the Papago reservation. In the lecture presented by A.G. Bliss and B. Phillis, the authors noted that two thirds of the Aboriginal and Islander communities are located in remote areas of Australia, These communities are distant from both the current telecommunications network and from the nearest service centers, with settlements ranging in size from 30 to 1000 people. Considerations include climatic factors, linguistic diversity, relationship to land, community infrastructure, economic base, population mobility, and awareness of telecommunications options. Bfiss and Phillis outlined the strategy adopted to provide services for this region and group. They discussed the commercial strategy: optimizing market penetration and ensuring customer access to services while maximizing revenue through subsequent network usage, how to establish adequate service, demand forecasting in an area new to the technology, coin telephone access, individual consultation with each community (to better ensure the achievement of adequate and reduce the uncertainty felt by the population about the introduction of telecommunication services), and program management processes with regard to commercial targets for 1984-1990 (the target completion date).
Digital Revolution in India S. Rai and A. Khetarpaul's "Digital Revolution in India - A Perspective" envisaged proliferation of computer uses in different walks of Indian society. The presentation reviewed the events leading to the current modernization strategy and also outlined some possible future developments that the authors feel may improve the existing developmental situation. Rai and Khetarpaul also presented a general picture of India in its quest for digital alternatives. A case study of the "CLASS" project, a nation-wide "computer literacy" educational program, was described as an illustration of the Indian commitment to developments in this area.
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Session 4: Technical/Engineering Aspects
Intermodulation Noise
(Reporter: Wendy Schultz ) The Technical/Engineering Aspects discussion group on Information Services and Systems featured three lectures relating to scientific analysis of modem performance, and technologies to aid and enhance modem use. The other lectures evaluated computer-assisted operator services in telephone communications, and the use of a radio-mini terminal system permitting transmission of text messages.
T. Kamal in his presentation "Analysis of Intermodulation Noise Due to Harmonic Transmission in PSK Communication System Using TWT Amplifier", discussed an expression for intermodulation noise produced due to harmonic transmission. The lecture specifically illustrated the derivation of the expression and the calculation of the phase distortion. The intermodulation products have been expressed in terms of input harmonic levels and the channel characteristics in this lecture. Kamal also calculated the intermodulation noise.
A Coded 8 P S K Modem
Message Terminals in Remote Areas
M. Miavke's "A Study of a Coded 8PSK Modem with a Viterbi Decoder Using Simplified Metric Calculation" addressed the problem of using a simple Viterbi decoder for a coded octal phase-shift keying (gPSK) modem. According to Miyake, it is important, often essential, to simplify the process of metric calculation in a Viterbi decoder, since it realizes reduced hardware complexity and highspeed operation of the modem. An analytical expression was introduced for the performance of a coded 8PSK modem with such a Viterbi decoder, and was then applied to a typical coded 8PSK modem. It was shown that the modem can be designed with simple values of parameters with no significant performance degradation.
N. Serinken and S.M. Chow presented a lecture entitled "Automatic High-Frequency Radio Message Terminal System for Sparsely Populated Communities." They linked state-of-the-art technical improvements with the practical applications in remote or less developed locales, as Mrs'. Raju did in her article. A mesage terminal for use in remote communities has been designed to augment the capabilitites of existing High-Frequency (HF) radios by allowing transmission of text messages. Tests demonstrated that message communication was performed when radio conditions did not permit intelligible voice transmission. The terminal has an automatic frequency selection feature to increase system reliability. The system does not require radio operators, and can be easily used by non-technical users. The terminal network can be enhanced by a system controller to provide HF radio discipline to minimize collisions between stations, and to overlay an electronic mail facility.
Store & Forward Trunk Switching "Store and Forward Trunk Switching," a lecture presented by V. Raju and C.S. Mohan, explained how India has streamlined the operator services capability of transit exchanges with cordless visual display units (VDUs) providing the operators computer assistance. The traditional method of ticket preparation was computerized and all operator positions provided with VDUs and keyboards. The main asset of this system is the flexibility achieved from identical operator positions: type, group, and traffic assignments can be changed by commands. Operations are cordless. The work stations are designed with human engineering and ergonomic principles in mind to provide simple and efficient work stations.
Digital Technology and Data Modems The last presentation in this working group considered the interaction between the development of digital technology generally and the evolution of the M O D E M specifically. M. Kawai:~ "Impact of Digital Technology on Data Modems" provided an overview of how the introduction of digital signal processing has contributed to the development of data MODEMs in terms of size, power, capacity, and cost. Kawai gave specific examples, and discussed future trends in MODEM development as well. The examples included de-
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tailed comparisons in total number of M O D E M components across generations, changes in size, power consumption, and weight of M O D E M s across generations, and changes in manufacturing time and estimated failure rates of M O D E M s in different generations.
Part III: Policies & Policymaking for a Digital World Sessio- 1: International Issues (Reporter: Vince Diaz ) The unifying theme throughout the lectures in this session was the need to identify and clarify current and emerging issues surrounding an increasingly deregulated international telecommunications environment. Satellite Communications As evidenced in the title, "International Policy Issues in Satellite Communications," W. Dizard reviewed some of the major issues and their potential effect on future developments in that arena. Noting that satellite expansion has taken place within a global network - a context fundamentally different from the growth of normal telecommunication networks which begin small and build outward - Dizard revealed that satellite policy issues will focus increasingly on the pattern of "local" networks. Among the issues discussed, the most notable for Dizard was the future role of INTELSAT vis-a-vis the emergence of a host of commercial firms which pose a direct and indirect competition to that consortium's "chosen instrument" status. Another issue was the apparent attempt by the "Third World" to promote "rigid" planning of radio frequencies and geostationary orbital slots. In addition, the issues of the potential for overcapacity (enabled by new technology) and the reexamination of equal satellite/cable usage as mandated by the FCC in the United States also requires clarification. This, he explained, is especially warranted given the context of apparent extensions of "open skies" policies into the international arena.
Role of Standards A. Hills narrowed the focus within the same broad context of deregulation in his paper, " T h e Role of Standards in a Competitive Telecommunications Environment." He argued that certain economic principles render standards necessary for proper competition to exist. Using examples, Hills demonstrated that standards serve as a basis on which producers can compete - a process held to be beneficial both to producers and consumers of equipment and services alike. In fact, he argued, a rise in competition actually heightens the importance of standards and Hills reminded the FCC of its important role in setting standards. Like Dizard, Hills argued that this is especially vital within an era which finds the Commission paying greater "allegiance to market forces." How to Get There Convinced that I S D N is necessary for the 1990's and beyond, E. Lohse feels that the problem, in fact, is just exactly " h o w to get there." In that regard, the lecture "Standards Needed for International Digital Telecommunications" continued the dialogue on vital issues in its focus on the importance of standards within the ISDN. In addition to presenting an overview of approved and soon-tobe-approved Standards and Recommendations by ISO, IEC, and CCITT, Lohse discussed the values, benefits, impacts and advantages of D T E features and services for information users, carriers, providers, processors, and managers respectively. Importance of C C I T T B. Sincavage addressed the crucial question of who will serve as central disseminator of guidelines and standards in " T h e Growing Importance of the C C I T T in the Face of Deregulation." He discussed the role of the C C I T T within the historical development of the ITU, noted that arm's growing success and reputation, and argued that it is a sound, logical choice for filling in the consultative void which new carriers and firms would encounter.
Session 2: Choosing Technology (Reporter: Lori Van Dusen) The presentations in this session built on a common theme of the need for infrastructure and
Conference Reports policy formulation predicated on the choosing of technology with an emphasis on the needs of Third World countries.
Advantages of INTELSA T J. Crispin argued in his presentation that, because of the large distances involved and the ability of satellites in the geostationary orbit to both provide wide area and selected coverage, INTELSAT must continue to provide the major portion of international communications on a cost effective basis in the Pacific Ocean area. Thus from the perspective of the user, according to Crispin, I N T E L S A T has the advantage of already having a traffic and revenue basis justifying a global system including a Pacific area capability which can normally accommodate additional requirements. Crispin illustrated INTELSAT's ability to provide a cheaper and more flexible response to domestic requirements under most circumstances provided that cost effectiveness is the major criterion. A USSA T Program In his lecture E.J. Wilkinson called for national and regional telecommunication infrastructures which permit the "convergence" of the digital signals of telephone traffic, computer and other data inter-connections and entertainment to b e distributed, switched, charged and controlled b y the households and business premises of the South Pacific. W Nowland illustrated in his overview of Australia's national satellite program - AUSSAT - the intricate and networked planning behind a chosen national technology and its possible impact on the South Pacific. Wilkinson's "System and Hardware Options for Digital Telecommunication Networks in the South Pacific" concentrated largely upon system and hardware options available for the South Pacific. He supported the claim of remote outposts of the Pacific that they should also gain the benefit of digitalization networks and services, not for improved business profit but for quick and reliable delivery of private correspondence. Wilkinson called for the earliest possible co-ordination of what is at present largely unco-ordinated planning and development of the three rapidly converging signal streams (i) telephone and telegraph; (ii) computer and data; and (iii) entertainment.
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Australian Satellite System Nowland's " T h e Australian Satellite System Present & Future Plans" provided an overview of Australia's national satellite program - AUSSAT - and presented a brief description of the system, its intended applications, and future plans for a second generation system, including its possible application to neighboring countries such as New Zealand and the South-West Pacific. Additional Broadcast System In the study presented by T. Iida, the concept of an additional broadcast system was discussed for the Asian and Oceanian regions. This proposal is for a regional broadcast system that would allow each country within the system to have its own broadcast system, thus enhancing program diversity, rather than excluding existing terrestrial overseas broadcasting systems. Iida et al. addressed the purpose for establishing a regional broadcasting system, noting that while regional satellite systems are already operated or planned as system intermediates (between global and domestic systems) in Europe, Indonesia and the Arabic nations, the Pacific area is served only by PEACESAT whose ATS-1 satellite operations may soon cease. The authors attempted to determine the overall feasibility of a regional broadcast system. They focussed on three major factors: the geographic region in conjunction with population size and national incomes in various countries; the need for a satellite broadcast system to serve countries without TV broadcasting systems or with only limited TV broadcasting hours or with an inadequate number of TV sets spread throughout the region; and the possibility of actualizing a broadcasting system. As it is currently proposed, this system will be composed of seven Asian countries and eight countries in the Oceanian region.
S e s s i o n 3: H u m a n R e s o u r c e s and T r a i n i n g
(Reporter: David A. Smith) The impact of telecommunications advances on education and training has been dramatic. This session's lecturers demonstrated just how dramatic
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that impact is. Presentations discussed a variety of human resource areas from training in corporations, to higher education programs in telecommunications, to computer-based training.
Creating Training Programs T.G. Fellows and P. Story discussed the need for those creating training programs to be aware of the new technology. They described the specific technologies that impact on training, their impact on the organization, and the problems that this creates for training. Four key issues were discussed in this context: the scope of the network changes, the rate of change, the number of people and the skill-type, and the changing business environment. Given these problems the authors proposed specific solutions. Univ. of Southwestern Louisiana The lecture presented by R. Cline discussed a formal telecommunications option of the electrical engineering degree offered at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. The program curriculum was shown to contain elements of three major areas: communications, computers, and business. Special emphasis is placed on the impact of digital technology on various aspects of the program. Cline also made some observations concerning teaching in such programs which has a significant international component in its student body.
Basis for Growth Moving from a specialist program to the impact on general education, W. Pierce described the challenge of coping with rapid change and incorporating the impact of technological change that is presented by telecommunications. The apparent need for wide based education to provide the basis for acceptance and application of the new technologies was discussed. This, in turn, depends on the ability of academic institutions to adapt to the new technologies. Finally, a pilot project introducing telecommunications course work at a small institution was used to explore the problems confronted with the implementation of this strategy.
Microtel Learning Services P. Hobson discussed a computer-based instructional system that is currently used by Microtel
Learning Services to train telecommunications personnel. After describing the nature of Microtel's goals and the specifics of their computer-based instructional system, Hobson presented a design process for CBI materials. Lastly, the advantages of MicroTICCIT were listed, including a costbenefit analysis.
Session 4: Social Impacts (Reporter: Anne Witebsky ) The presentations in this session focussed on the importance of considering social impacts of telecommunications technologies as well as the new applications for them. The lecturers discussed possible trends in networking as well as perceivable impacts of hybrid networks.
Info. Technology in Australia In his paper on "Information Technology in Australia - Capabilities and Opportunities," J. Spence described a study sponsored by the Australian government to assess opportunities in the information technology field. Spence began with observations on the importance of information technology, then described the organization and methodology of the study. He also described the recommendations arising from the study for Australia and for other nations of the Pacific region.
Social Definition Michael Gurstein, in his paper, took issue with the notion of digitalization as a merely technical term denoting the use of digital means for encoding and transmitting telecommunications messages. Instead, he suggested that there is also a social definition, i.e. it " m a y refer to the entire process of standardization and translation of a variety of technologies and systems into a common and interchangeable/intercommunicable/intertranslatable modality". He argued that to a great extent the world already exists as a single telecommunications system. This near universality has created a universal professional system reinforced by training programs, vendors and other areas of the service sector, as well as by institutions.
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However, this universality hasn't translated to a universalization of telecommunications. Gurstein noted that in developed countries digitalization will impact maintenance staff, facilitate broad range technology and system interlinking and integration, as well as change the nature of those systems required for digital networks. While in underdeveloped countries and between developed and underdeveloped countries a conflict between those who have access and those who have not may be further enhanced. This will arise when " m u c h of what is available in the developing world currently, [is made] obsolete while the cost of becoming technologically current [is made] prohibitive." Throughout his lecture Gurstein argued the possible pros and cons of digitization, emphasizing the need for us to recognize that as we shape our "tools", the shape of our tools and their impacts shape the world around us. Humans and Networks Taking the notion of changes in digital networks and the ensuing impact upon society into the future, John deMercado suggested that computer networks will evolve into Networks of minds existing in computer-communications systems. He elaborated that we are beginning to observe signs that Networks, like humans, can be builders of their own intellectual structures. Networks may in time establish their own laws of behavior. Yet, Networks' acquired intelligence may of necessity be perceived as alien to human intelligence. In his presentation, entitled "Computer-Communication Networks: What Are We Really Making?", deMercado illustrated a series of principles which will be aplied to Network behavior. He concluded his lecture by underlining the challenges that will be presented as the interaction of humans and Networks opens up the potential of large scale consequences arising from microscopic changes in software that will take place without human intervention.
Session 5: Network Planning and Management (Reporter: Wendy Schultz ) Conversion to Digital Exchange The Network Planning session began with a discussion of the eventual complete conversion of
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analog to digital exchanges in networks. This conversion must be implemented efficiently and economically; Mario Pietrogrande outlined current conditions and presents several conversion scenarios in his article, "Network Planning When Digital Equipment is Introduced in an Analog Environment." During the past 100 years, the planning of telecommunication networks has been characterized by the search for the most economic location of the central offices and the most economic alternate routing. The introduction of digital exchanges in an analog environment has created an additional problem in the design of the networks, both long distance and metropolitan: how to economically introduce new digital exchanges and new digital trunks in an analog environment, maximizing the enormous economic advantages presented by the utilization of digital technology. The conversion of the networks from totally analog to totally digital will take at least 20 years; during this period planners have to evaluate and reduce to the minimum the analog to digital interface. Pietrogrande examined three different methods of network planning to accomplish this, with practical examples of real applications. Technical Assistance Aspects In their presentation, K. Nakamura and S. Itoh discussed the technical assistance aspects of the digital world. The authors outlined what is required of a technical assistance system, analyzed the system's contents, and noted some basic conditions and goals. The second portion of the lecture detailed the organization of the Technical Assistance System developed by Fujitsu from overall configuration to specific subsystems. Nakamura and Itoh concluded that an effective technical assistance system is essential to a successful ISDN. Operations Planning D. Rosen presented a practical approach to computerizing telecommunications operations in a telephone operating company through the use of Operations Planning. He described the fundamentals of Operations Planning, including functions, centers, systems, and processes. The discussion was followed by an analysis of the design of operations systems with specific suggestions on the architecture of vertically integrated, distributed
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systems taken from past lessons of distributed systems. Lastly, various means of integration of systems into operations were detailed. Rosen's lecture was entitled "Mechanizing Telecommunications Operations for a Digital World".
PTC '85 Working Groups There were 22 Working Groups at PTC'85, with ten or more participants per group. The problems under discussion in these Working Groups ranged from the Pacific Information Network System (PINS) to Building a Pacific Telecommunity and on through teleports, training needs, forecasting, deregulation, teleconferencing, and more. The interest of the Working Groups, which began at PTC '84, was to provide an opportunity for all PTC fiaembers to participate in discussions of problems of mutual interest. Most Working Groups were suggested by members. During PTC '85, approximately 250 registrants participated in one of the 22 Working Groups.
Telecom Skills Workshops The 1985 Telecom Skills Workshops led a group of 110 non-technical managers and students through a two-day foray into the world of bits, bytes, twisted pairs, and optical fibers. The Workshops offered seven three-hour sessions
with experts exploring topics ranging from office automation, to technical training and education, to the UNIX operating system, with an eye toward an introductory approach to telecommunications technologies and capabilities. PTC member Teresa Buczkowska presented a Digital Tutorial that demystified some of the more fundamental concepts of digital transmission. In a workshop on Teleconferencing and Information System Technologies, Clay Vollan, George Darby, and Carol Tenopir held an interactive session with forty participants who learned the basics of audio, video, and compressed bandwidth teleconferencing and experienced "hands-on" demonstrations of the BRS and other Online Information Systems. George Lissandrello, an active PTC member since 1980, presented an informative session. Gerhard Hanneman of San Francisco gave a Teleports Workshop which provided an introduction to teleports and to leading edge materials. The Proceedings of PTC '85 are available through the University of Hawaii Press, 2840 Kolowalu Street, Honolulu, HI 96822, U.S.A. 427 pages. ISBN 0-8248-1009-0. There is also a full set of PTC '85 Reports, Case Studies, Keynote Addresses, and Papers which can be separately ordered directly through the Pacific Telecommunications Council. For further information on these publications, contact the Pacific Telecommunications Council, Publications Department, 1110 University Avenue, Suite 308, Honolulu, HI 96826, U.S.A.
International Communications and Energy Conference An International Communications and Energy Conference, as well as the first Canadian Programmable Controllers Conference, was held in Montreal, Canada from October 2-4, 1984. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Canadian Region, sponsored the event; Paul Major was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee. 45,000 square feet of space were allotted at the Palais des Congres de Montreal for over 125 c o r n -
panies to display their products at the Conference. In addition, twenty companies had booths dedicated to Programmable Controllers, a venture jointly sponsored by IEEE Conferences Montreal Inc. and by the Microelectronics Centre of Winnipeg. A panel discussion was held at the conference and focussed on Power-Telecommunications Systems Coordination. David G. Vice, President of Northern Telecom