R and D status on broadband ATM switching systems in Taiwan

Summary form only given, as follows. A broadband trial network based on ATM technologies started in Taiwan in July 1995. The network has been built primarily based on ATM related products developed by Chunghua Telecom Laboratories. They are ATM virtual path switches, ATM multiplexers, ATM LAN switches, ATM hubs, optical amplifiers, and a network management system. The trial network will serve as the backbone for the National Information Infrastructure (NII) in Taiwan. The broadband network and services trial have been a national project. Many NII broadband services, including LAN interconnection, distance learning, telemedicine, multipoint video conferences, university campus interconnection, and ATM LAN broadband access networks have been tested and used successfully on the network. In the future, Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories will continue to cooperate with local industries for the development, improvement, and marketing of ATM products, to upgrade the functionality and reliability of the broadband network, and to improve the network management system. We will also dedicate our research effort in the broadband Internet, broadband services and applications. The research results are expected to accelerate Taiwan toward the age of a broadband information society.