ATM networking implementations in the Pacific Northwest

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) has been the focus of intense activity over the past few years, with implementations occurring first in the local campus environment, subsequently progressing to public wide area network offerings, and finally to an integration of the two. This integration of public and private ATM capabilities has accelerated as we have moved through 1996 and into 1997. It has been particularly evident in the Puget Sound region of Western Washington due to the combined efforts of US WEST and a number of major government installations in this area. This paper discusses the impact of ATM from the combined perspective of these large government users and US WEST, a primary provider of public ATM WAN services. An historical perspective is provided via a discussion of key projects which occurred during the 1992-95 time frame. These projects set the stage for extensive ATM-related activity during 1996 and extending into 1997. This paper will discuss this recent activity from an economic and technical perspective.