Introducing SDH systems in Europe

The plans of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom for introducing synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) equipment into digital telecommunications networks are described. It is suggested that synchronous transmission techniques can be used to build a reliable, economical, and flexible system with integrated switching and transmission using a relatively simple equipment. After a period of standardization activities, the advent of SDH-based transmission products will carry significant benefits on the network performances in term of service flexibility, reconfigurations, protection, and management functions. The planned SDH equipment, application areas, and interworking with the existing plesiochronous telecommunications networks are discussed.<
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