Converge

Since their initial development over thirty years ago, computer communications systems, particularly the Internet, have been designed independently of Public Switched Telecommunications Networks (PSTN). These systems have sometimes interacted, particularly in the use of the PSTN to carry Internet traffic, but attempts have just recently begun to really converge the services provided onto a single integrated network architecture. These convergence attempts have been motivated by the fact that one of the key requirements in deploying a pervasive and ubiquitous information superhighway is the development of a global integrated telecommunications infrastructure. This global communication network will have to deal with a wide spectrum of traffic characteristics, because the network will have to support, simultaneously, applications that have a wide range of expectations and requirements. Three major aspects of this convergence are to be investigated:

• Quality of Service - mechanisms for delivery of telecoms services over the Internet with sufficient quality guarantees.


• Security - granting users access to services (i.e.
  authorisation); authentication of users (so the correct user is
  billed); enhancement of privacy of user communications and integrity
  accounting data gathered.
  
• Accounting - pricing of future quality Internet services
  (while maintaining revenue streams for telecoms companies); systems are
  required to account for usage and charge correctly.