When you add in new user growth and applications demands and the resulting exponential growth demand for more backbone bandwidth, things get very complex very quickly. To some it is even a wonder how we got this far already. Network operators do get a bit squeamish when it comes to the subject of how to deal with such unprecedented growth. Network operators have to constantly attack the problem of provisioning new services and technologies, which usually equates to adding more equipment. They always have to have the capability to meet the ever increasing needs of network end users.
Some network operators have network equipment turnover every two years.
It also has to do with the unsettled nature of data communications standards. Over the years, many industry debates have taken place concerning the future direction of standards and related technologies and many have been brutal. We are still in the midst of some very significant debates and to a certain degree there is a lot at stake as to the outcome of these debates. Figure 3, below highlights some of the significant debates that have been in front of the industry for the past 10 years. In addition, high speed services access to public networks has always been a part of these debates.