IN in the hybrid broadband network: the intelligent web

Explores the role of intelligent networks (INs) in a mega-heterogeneous network. Such a network is built up using a mixture of many different technologies, both for switching user-to-user information and for signalling. The present contribution focusses on the "traditional" public network (i.e. B-ISDN as the next version of PSTN and ISDN), and the upcoming networks getting more and more global attention (i.e. Internet and CATV). Each of the networks has its own history, and was originally intended for its own specific user-group. Hence, there are different architectures used in the different networks, especially for the service-network. All these technologies have the same basic goal: providing connectivity between the end-users of the system. And the more the world's community get access to all these networks, the more important the end-users, and their wishes, are relevant to these networks. This contribution identifies what INs may teach other networks, but also what other networks may teach INs.