broadband ISDN (B-ISDN)

An Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) offering broadband capabilities. Note 1: B-ISDN is an ITU-T proposed (originally a CCITT-proposed) service that may (a) include interfaces operating at data rates from 150 to 600 Mb/s, (b) use asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) to carry all services over a single, integrated, high-speed packet-switched network, (c) have LAN interconnection capability, (d) provide access to a remote, shared disk server, (e) provide voice/video/data teleconferencing, (f) provide transport for programming services, such as cable TV, (g) provide single-user controlled access to remote video sources, (h) handle voice/video telephone calls, and (i) access shop-at-home and other information services. Note 2: Techniques used in the B-ISDN include code conversion, information compression, multipoint connections, and multiple-connection calls. Current proposals use a service-independent call structure that allows flexible arrangement and modular control of access and transport edges. The service components of a connection can provide each user with independent control of access features and can serve as the basis of a simplified control structure for multipoint and multiconnection calls. Such a network might be expected to offer a variety of ancillary information processing functions.