Interconnect-setting the scene

The article covers a number of areas of network interconnection including the background, present arrangements, services, initial interconnect, network information and an indication of size. The position in terms of UK telecommunications network is becoming quite complicated with the increasing options available. The fundamental principle of interconnect is that "any customer on any network must be able to contact any customer on any other UK network and in the world". To achieve this networks must be interconnected. The customer has a choice of direct connection (customer has a line to the operators exchange) or indirect access (where the customer stays with his/her main operator for local calls but by entering a code can select another operator to carry national/international calls).