Interoperability: the key to competitive supply in the Global Information Society (GIS)

The dual thrusts of deregulation of the telecommunications marketplace in many regions of the world and the establishment of free trade agreements are creating significant new opportunities for telecommunications and information technology equipment suppliers. However, the means by which networks and services are interconnected on a global scale is a key factor in realizing the full potential of these opportunities and creating a truly competitive marketplace among equipment suppliers and service providers. Fortunately, many regions are contemplating a move towards establishing standards-based interconnection frameworks which will have demonstrable social and economic benefits. Interoperability frameworks based on industry-driven interconnection standards will provide a basis for waves of creative revolution inherent in today's rapidly changing market, and yet still enable free and fair competition. This will be a 'win-win' situation, not just for equipment suppliers but also for their customers, the network operators. It will enable them to more easily provide new capabilities for the benefit of end-users who will demand seamless services over an interconnected network of networks. This paper provides an equipment manufacturer's perspective on the opportunities that result from an interoperable interconnection framework, and on the desirability of international harmonization. (C) 1998 Northern Telecom Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.