TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE SYSTEMS.

Rapidly advancing technology over the past few years has widened the generation gap between old and new switching and transmission equipment. As existing installations represent an enormous capital investment it is not feasible to replace them by modern systems offering a wider range of services to users and operating advantages to Administrations. The author describes ITT's approach to overcoming this problem. It is based on the development of a range of mini- and microprocessor based peripheral modules - known as telecommunications service systems, or TSS - to provide electromechanical and SPC exchanges with the modern features and services demanded by both subscribers and Administrations. In addition, this approach can often be used with advantage to provide certain new services for old and new exchanges alike.