Advances in services, networks, and technology addressing service providers' future needs

This issue of the Bell Labs Technical Journal portrays wide variation considering several aspects. First, this issue introduces a new category of entries — letters. In contrast to the traditional papers, which continue to be a Journal staple, the letters bring technical issues and considerations to the fore through brief analysis. Second, the subject matter in this issue varies widely, including the following topics: services, multi-network management, soft-phone technology, wireless technology, and process advances. Third, the treatment style ranges from broad assessment of an area of interest to focused comparison of techniques.