Although important advances in traffic control have yet to be made before real multimedia services can be delivered to the users, several experiments have been showing that the future is around the corner. These experiments have also shown how difficult it is to use technological different wired networks in an integrated way.
Wireless systems are just at their toddler age.
GSM products have been adopted by more than 230 network operators worldwide. DECT cordless technology, based also on TDMA principles, is being used in the most recent cordless terminals by the main manufactures of such systems. Finally, several products based on the IEEE 802.11 standard for the wireless LAN market are being integrated in WLAN systems which will replace prior non-regulated proprietary systems. In the last 3 years there was a massive use of voice and low speed data services. Such a market increase has been supported on the current, second generation, wireless networks providing limited access to voice and data but no multimedia or broadband services.