Elements of the emerging broadband information highway

General design considerations for the broadband information highway of the future are given in the context of interactive broadband services to the home. As potential precursors to this highway, the telephone, the Internet, and cable television networks are examined. Several emerging technologies are also examined as candidates for the future local subscriber loop. For the information highway, classes of network services are proposed that are independent of the specific network technologies used. It is suggested that the information highway be partitioned logically or physically so as to provide a variety of service levels according to the subscriber's cost and quality of service requirements. This should yield better network economies and provide the end user with a viable range of connectivity options.