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“Annabel Dodd is a maestro when it comes to demystifying even the most complex telecommunications policies. She takes on the range of issues in the telecom world that shape how we learn, share information, conduct business, and enjoy entertainment. It’s an illuminating, accessible account that provides a much-needed primer for anyone interested in communications policy.”
—Congressman Edward J. Markey, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection
“Annabel Dodd’s book is a clear guide and big picture view of technologies and industries. It is an up-to-date guide for anyone who wants to be familiar with important innovations and key technologies. This is truly an industry bible for mobile, Internet, and networking services.”
—Hiawatha Bray, technology reporter, Boston Globe
A Completely Revised Bestseller with an Updated Industry Overview and New Coverage of Mobile Networks, LTE, Spectrum, Cloud Computing, and More!
The #1 Telecom Guide for Businesspeople and Nontechnical Professionals, Fully Updated for Cloud Services, Social Media, and Advanced Mobile Networks
Completely updated for the newest trends and technologies, The Essential Guide to Telecommunications, Fifth Edition, is the world’s top-selling nontechnical guide to today’s fast-changing telecommunications industry. More than 170,000 copies of previous editions are in print, and this indispensible resource has been translated into nine languages.
Writing in plain language, Dodd demystifies today’s most significant technologies, standards, and architectures. She introduces the industry-leading providers worldwide, explains where they fit in a fast-changing marketplace, and presents their key strategies. Coverage includes
This indispensable guide provides everything you need to know about telecommunications now—whether you’re a salesperson, marketer, investor, or customer.
Preface xxi
Acknowledgments xxv
About the Author xxvii
Part I: Enabling Technologies, Data Centers, and VoIP PBXs 1
Chapter 1: Computing and Enabling Technologies 3
Key Underlying Technologies 5
Sending Data in Packets 8
Deep Packet Inspection: Traffic Management and Monitoring 10
Compression 14
Increasing Network Capabilities via Multiplexing 18
Wide Area Network Acceleration and Optimization 20
Using Protocols to Establish a Common Set of Rules 22
Protocols and Layers 24
Cloud Computing 25
Single Servers Functioning as Multiple Servers via Virtualization 35
Network Cabling 38
Summary 44
Appendix 46
Chapter 2: Data Centers and IP Private Branch Exchanges 51
Introduction 52
Next-Generation Data Centers: Virtualization and Gigabit Speeds 53
Managing Virtualization 65
Backbone and Individual Local Area Network Structures 69
IP Private Branch Exchange Systems for Internal Use 72
The Technology behind IP Telephony 75
IP Private Branch Exchange Architecture 77
Value-Added Applications for Telephone Systems 87
Summary 100
Appendix 100
Part II: Industry Overview 105
Chapter 3: Competition, Industry Structures, and Regulations 107
Introduction 108
The 1984 Breakup of AT&T 110
Regulatory Issues 117
The State of the Industry 133
Nontraditional Competitors: Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Netflix 150
Appendix 161
Part III: Wide Area Networks and the Internet 163
Chapter 4: Carrier Networks 165
The Public Network 167
Long-Haul Networks: The Core 168
Technologies Used in Carrier Networks 171
Convergence in Core and Metropolitan Networks 174
Transporting Movies and TV in the Core 186
Middle-Mile Networks 187
Last-Mile Access Networks 191
Access Networks in Cable Operators’ Networks 201
Telecommunications Services in National Emergencies 205
Signaling 207
Summary 211
Appendix 213
Chapter 5: Broadband and Wide Area Network Services 215
Introduction 216
A Definition of Broadband 218
VoIP Calling Services over Broadband 219
Multi-Protocol Label Switching for Interoffice Connections 223
Internet Protocol Virtual Private Networks ov
