Packet mode data communications in numeris, the french isdn

Packet-switched based Telecommunication services are es sential to a competitive ISDN service offering and FRANCE TELECOM is now enhancing NUMERIS, the French ISDN, to introduce improved packet switched data communication capa bilities on both the B and the D channels of the user access. This is made possible on the basis of the development of a Packet Access Point equipment which will give access to packet switch ingfacilities and ofFrame Handlingfunctions within ISDN local erxhanges. Thispaperdescribes the mainfeatures of these developments andfocusses on the implementation offrame handlingfunctions in the ALCATEL EI0 switching system which have been used to support the digitalization of the french network, thus allowing a quick evolution to ISDN with a rapid deployment of newfeatures throughout the national network. After describing the nationally defined interface between the frame handler of the local ex changes and various Access Points (referred lo as IheAPI) which may be reached via the D channel of the user access, the paper shows the benefits and the new applications users may gain finom these features and then discusses further evolutions currently under consideration for the NUMENS network architecture and for the packet switched based data communication services.