Wireless broadband access technologies will also play an important role, as a complement to wire techniques. It will also be the case for satellite access solutions to reach lower density areas, or help operators tap markets where they have no terrestrial network. Alcatel is investing in these two areas to offer a set of complete solutions and consolidate its leading position in the broadband access market. Differentiating the Edge The Internet has had a profound impact on network architecture by increasing the importance of the network's edge. A case in point is the Assured Access gateway.
Service management is a key one.
It is through service management that ISPs and operators will increasingly differentiate their offerings. Despite a slow start, mobile telephony is now mature for data. Alcatel has been pioneering both. The first notifies users of dial-up access that a voice call is waiting while the second lets them shuttle back and forth between a data call and a voice call. They will be provided through the same mechanisms.