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In-WATS

Also known as 800 Service, In-WATS is much like Virtual WATS, with the billing being reversed to the receiving party. In-WATS (1-800) service has become so popular in the US that the supply of numbers is exhausted. 1888 numbers will address this shortage; 877 and 876 numbers also are being considered, as is the expansion of 800 numbers to 8 digits [6-14], [6-15], [6-16], and [6-17]. In 1994, approximately 13 billion In-WATS calls were placed, yielding service revenues of approximately $9.49 billion, according to the MultiMedia Telecommunications Association. Although 1994 revenues are estimated to have increased approximately 16.6% over the previous year, compound growth is estimated in the range of 6.7% through 1998 [6-1]. Outside the United States, In-WATS service is known by various terms, including Freephone and Green Number, is accessed through various dialing conventions, including 0-800 and 0-500. The ITU-T plans to implement in 1997 a new numbering convention for International Freephone Service, which will involve dialing 800 + 8 digits.

In-WATS is an effective means of encouraging current and prospective customers to call, as they incur no toll charges. It also is a cost-effective means for employees who travel or who work at remote locations to access various company offices. With the billing reversed to the target number, the company is relieved of the cost of processing expense vouchers for telephone charges; further, the cost of the call is far less than is a call charged to a calling card.

In-WATS was the first instance of an intelligent network service. The In-WATS numbers (800 or 888) dialed are not real telephone numbers, at least not in the classic sense. That is to say that they do not conform to the standard numbering scheme, wherein a telephone number (logical address) relates directly to a physical location (physical address) based on a standard numbering convention. Rather, an 800 number can be directed literally to any location. In order to direct the call to the proper physical location, it is necessary that the network query a database of 800 numbers in order to translate that number into a conventional number associated with a specific physical location. Additionally, the database will advise the originating LEC as to how the call should be routed. In the case of an interLATA call, the call will be routed to the IXC with which the target user has an In-WATS relationship [6-18]. LECs also offer 800 services, currently limited to intraLATA calling. The total 800 services market in the United States was estimated at $10.1 billion for 1995 and is expected to reach $12.4 billion by 1998. The international Freephone market grew from $150 million in 1992 to approximately $502 million in 1994 [6-1].

500 numbers

Aa relatively new phenomenon in the United States, 500 numbers provide follow-me services. From a remote location, the subscriber may access the network logic in order to program (or reprogram) a priority sequence of numbers to which calls should be forwarded, with such a sequence perhaps including a cellular number. A single number can be used for both voice and fax, with facsimile routing being invoked through a special dialing instruction, such as * or #, after a voice prompt. 500 numbers soon will provide the capability to selectively forward calls received only from those who have knowledge of a Personal Identification Number (PIN). 500 numbers effectively offer the first set of capabilities promised by Personal Communications Services (PCS); one number can be retained for life, transportable across carriers, and carrier domains.

AT&T offered a similar service a few years ago in the form of 700 services. The service provided follow-me call forwarding, although only AT&T long distance subscribers could access a 700 number. No companies currently are marketing 700 services [6-19], [6-20], and [6-21].

900/976

900/976 services are information services which carry either a flat cost per call or a cost per minute which is the responsibility of the calling party. The revenues are divided among the sponsoring party receiving the call and the various carriers involved. Originally intended for applications such as telethons and informational services, 900/976 services have gained a bad reputation, as many providers of telephone sex and other questionable services make extensive use of them. Although they dropped significantly in 1992, revenues are estimated to have reached $722 million in 1995 [6-1].

Virtual Private Network (VPN) Services

Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Software-Defined Network (SDN) services are intended for use by very large user organizations. VPNs/SDNs create the effect of a private, leased line/trunk network, but without the associated design, deployment, cost and vulnerability issues. VPN services generally are arranged with an IXC, with the points of network termination (company locations) being identified, along with the level of bandwidth required for each. Dedicated circuits are established between each point of termination and the closest capable IXC POP. Internal to the carrier network, dedicated circuits are not established to interconnect the various customer locations (Figure 6.6). Rather, routing tables are established to route the traffic over specified high-capacity transmission facilities on a priority basis, thereby ensuring that the level of service provided is equivalent to that of a true private network. The carrier realizes the benefit of sharing the involved network with other users, passing on the savings to the VPN customer.


Figure 6.6  Virtual Private Network, U.S. domestic.

VPNs offer the advantage of scalability, as new sites can be added and bandwidth to individual locations can be increased, with the incremental cost maintaining a reasonable relationship with the increased functional requirement. Additionally, configuration and reconfiguration effort and expense are reduced, as the only significant requirement is that the points and levels of access be considered. Clearly, the time frame associated with carrier provisioning or reconfiguring such a network also is reduced, as dedicated circuits need not be provided between the various points of termination. Further, such a network is more resilient than a truly dedicated network, as the carrier network is highly redundant. Therefore, the carrier quickly can route traffic around a point of blockage or catastrophic failure [6-12].

While VPNs may be international in scope, they are generally limited to calling on a domestic basis or between two nations. BT and MCI, through their Concert offering, recently announced multicountry calling capability.


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