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II I COMVIISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMVIUNITIES 
C0M(94) 81 final 
Brussels. 25.03.1994 
PROGRESS REPORT 1993 
CONCERNING THE COORDINATED INTRODUCTION OF THE 
INTEGRATED SERVICES DIGITAL NETWORK (ISDN) 
IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY 
(presented by the Commission) 
-2-
0 Executive Summary 
1 Introduction 
1.1 Purpose of this report 
2 Progress of ISDN implementations in the Member States 
3 Progress in standardisation 
3.1 Introduction 
3.2 Status of EURO-ISDN standards 
3.3 Freezing of EURO-ISDN standards 
3.4 Further ISDN standardisation 
3.5 Software interfaces for ISDN terminals 
3.6 Conclusion on standardisation 
3.7 ISDN test standards and conformity testing 
4 Introduction plans for EURO-ISDN 
4.1 Scope of EURO-ISDN 
4.2 Deployment plans for EURO-ISDN 
5 Migration to EURO-ISDN: issues and problems 
5.1 Migration: network related aspects 
5.2 Migration: user/ terminal related aspects 
5.3 Private ISDN networking 
5.4 Speed of deployment and range of services 
5.5 ISDN tariff issues 
5.6 The "Telematic Gap" in ISDN 
5.7 ISDN and the "Review 92" 
5.8 Universality of the ISDN offering 
5.9 Network integrity 
-3-
6 ONP, Data protection (Tariffs) 
6.1 Progress with open network provision (ONP) and ISDN 
6.2 Data protection and user privacy 
7 Progress of ISDN in the less favoured regions: STAR, Télématique and future plans 
7.1 Contribution of the STAR programme in the implementation of ISDN 
7.2 ERDF operational programmes in telecommunications 
7.3 Télématique 
7.4 Implementation of the MoU on ISDN in the less favoured regions 
7.5 Future plans 
8 ISDN development outside the Community 
8.1 ISDN in the EFTA countries 
8.2 ISDN in the US 
8.3 ISDN in Japan 
9 Initiatives and new proposals 
9.1 European ISDN User Forum (EIUF) 
9.2 EC-Japan ISDN interconnection experiment (EJIX) 
9.3 EURO-ISDN Event (EURIE '93) 
9.4 ISDN as trans-European network 
9.5 Evaluation of applications from other programmes 
10 Conclusions 
-4-
Index of Figures and Tables 
Figure 1: The universal multi-purpose access platform 
Figure 2: Progress towards completion of ISM standards 
Figure 3: Overview on the private public ISDN interworking 
Table 1: ISDN coverage - subscriptions - migration to EURO-ISDN 
Table 2: International ISDN connections - protocols 
Table 3: National and international supported services 
Table 4: Current CTS project relevant to ISDN 
Table 5: Laboratories that will provide the testing service and the scheduled availability 
Table 6: Essential elements which are an integral part of EURO-ISDN 
Table 7: Information related to the introduction to the Basic Rate Access conforming to 
the relevant ETSI standards 
Table 8: Summary of the current ISDN tariffs 
Table 9: ISDN Tariff ratios in Member States 
Table 10: Offerings that should be available in all Member States by 1.1.94 
Table 11 : Minimum set of ISDN Offerings 
Table 12: Additional offerings which may be implemented in accordance with progress in 
international standardisation 
Index of Annexes 
Annex 1 : Addresses of ETSI and EIUF 
Annex 2: Minimum list of offerings 
Annex 3: National Tariffs for Basic/Access Rate 
Annex 4: ISDN in Japan 
Annex 5: ISDN related projects of the Community 
Annex 6: Glossary of technical terms 
-5-
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
This fourth Progress Report has been prepared for submission to the Council and the European 
Parliament in accordance with Article 7 of the Council Recommendation on the "Coordinated 
Introduction of the Integrated Digital Services Network" (ISDN) m me European Community 
(86/659/EEC). 
Since the previous report five further operators have been added to the list of commercial 
providers of ISDN offerings. ISDN is now available in nine Member States and there are about 
350.000 ISDN accesses installed in these countries. All commercially opened networks in the 
Member States are interconnected. Only in Greece and Portugal no commercial ISDN offering 
exists currently. In Luxembourg, which will start its own ISDN early 1994, it is possible to 
obtain ISDN accesses from France Télécom. While current ISDN implementations are based on 
national specifications which have some differences, ETSI, the European Telecommunications 
Standards Institute, had finalised all harmonised EURO-ISDN requirement standards by the end 
of 1992. 
Upon a proposal from the Commission, an event for the introduction of EURO-ISDN, 
EURIE '93, was successfully held in December 1993. 
In its Resolution from 5 June 19921 the Council has recognised the importance of ISDN to be 
developed as a trans-European network. The Commission has meanwhile adopted a 
Communication and two proposals for Council Decisions2 to this end. A rapid deployment of 
EURO - ISDN will facilitate the functioning of the single market. 
Furthermore, on 05 June 1992 the Council adopted a Recommendation3 concerning the 
application of the open network principles to ISDN. 
In September 1993 the Commission submitted a proposal to the Council and the European 
Parliament for the development of ISDN as trans-European network. The White Paper for 
growth, competitiveness and employment, that was approved by the heads of state and 
government on 10/11 December, includes proposals for EURO-ISDN. 
Issues raised in previous reports like the European User Forum (EIUF) and the ISDN terminal 
interconnection testing with Japan are further discussed. 
Type approval standards for EURO-ISDN remain an issue for urgent resolution. Further work 
is also required for private ISON networking. 
Finally, importance is attached to the development possibilities of ISDN in the changing 
regulatory context. Telephony is an important service for ISDN and therefore the continued 
liberalisation (c/f Review '924> has a direct bearing on ISDN. 
1 OJ No. C 158/1-2, 25.06.92 
2 COM(93) 347, 1.9.93 
3 OJ No. L 200/10, 18.07.92 
4 COM(93) 159 final, 28.04.93 
-6-
A general deployment of EURO-ISDN with a priority for its availability to all business users 
remains a key political objective of the Community's telecommunications policy for the coming 
years. Notably, small and medium sized enterprises (SME's) depend on the availability of a 
modern generally available telecommunications infrastructure, since SMEs (approx. 14 million 
in the Community) can typically not afford dedicated network solutions. 
-7-
ÏNTRODUCTION 
In the beginning of 1993, a period of seven years of intensive efforts towards the achievement 
of the single market for goods and services, for capital and persons has been completed. 
Also for the introduction of ISDN in the Community the change of the years 1992/1993 marks 
a turning point. 
While so far the investments made in the Member States went into national versions of ISDN, 
all Public Network Operators (PNO's) in the Community have started in 1993 to introduce 
EURO-ISDN. 
As for the single market, the efforts for a coordinated introduction of ISDN have been started 
eight years ago. 
This Coordinated Introduction of ISDN in the Member States is the main objective of the 
Community's telecommunications policy in this field. 
EURO-ISDN, is the implementation of a common set of compatible ISDN functionalities and 
services based on harmonised standards and with full interconnectivity between all Member 
States. 
When analysing the policy efforts for ISDN in the Community, it is interesting to consider the 
impact of the changed regulatory environment on the ISDN introduction. 
Two major aspects are of interest: 
the impact of the "separation of powers" between regulatory and operational functions and 
the impact of an eventual further liberalisation, notably of the public real time switched 
voice service. 
While these aspects are further deepened later in this report, it is worth noting here, that the 
questions, whether ISDN remains a priority for the telecommunications policy in the 
Community, can be answered clearly. 
Title XII of the Maastricht Treaty establishes the context between the operation of the single 
market and the trans-European networks: a proper functioning of the single market where the 
full benefits of the economic area without internal frontiers can be exploited, is only feasible on 
the basis of the availability of truly trans-European-networks (TEN). 
Given the nature of ISDN as the general switched infrastructure being developed as the 
successor of todays telephone network, the right answer to the general (tele-) 
communications needs of the single market is EURO-ISDN. 
Owing to this universal vocation, ISDN is ideally suited (and targeted) to develop within a few 
years to a mass service which satisfies the needs in particular of small and medium sized 
businesses (SME's) which count for more than 14 million in the Community. 
From the user and (third party) service provider perspective ISDN is of major interest also 
because of its role as "universal access and delivery platform" (see Figure 1) for services and 
other networks. 
Figure 1 
S-BUS 
PABX 
LAN 
user permises The universal multi-purpose access platform 
^çmmmmmmmmmifflh 
k à 
loco/ loop 
access network upper half: 
IN type services 
v///mmr/////m/////////^^^^^ 
lower half: 
specific networks and VAS-networks 
generol, publ/col/y available, 
switched infrastructure w///////////////////^^^^^^ 
loco I loop 
access network S-BUS 
PABX 
large users 
LAN 
user permises 
5/7/93 I 
9-
Leading edge customers will equally benefit from the advantages of ISDN. At the same time 
they will also be able to make use of most advanced technical solutions which by their nature 
can neither be afforded (in an early period of their market availability) by small businesses nor 
is it feasible to reach rapidly a full coverage for those solutions for all businesses. 
In line with the Resolution of the Council from 05 of June 1992 and without prejudice to 
further changes in the regulatory environment, the answer to the above question is therefore 
that, ISDN continues to be a high priority of the Community's telecommunications 
policy. 
Consequently, the continued efforts for the introduction of ISDN aim at a rapid deployment of 
EURO-ISDN in the whole Community. These efforts will be addressed anew, by the initiatives 
currently prepared under the framework of TEN proposals. 
The Recommendations of the Council on the application of the ONP principles to ISDN will 
contribute to the achievement of these objectives. 
Owing to its nature of general public infrastructure, ISDN was included in the range of topics 
discussed in the context of the growth initiative. Following the Council meetings in Edinburgh 
and Copenhagen where the growth initiative was decided, several measures have been brought 
on its way. One important aspect of relevance also for telecommunications networks is the plan 
to shift expenditure to public infrastructure projects. 
In order to promote this plan, a temporary lending instrument, in the first place with an 
envelope of 5 BECU and managed by the European Investment Bank was put in operation. 
EURO-ISDN projects can benefit from this new instrument. 
1.1 PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT 
The purpose of this report is to give an account of the progress on the Council 
Recommendation 86/659/EEC of 22 December 1986 concerning: "The Coordinated 
Introduction of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) in the Member States of 
the European Community". 
It is the fourth Annual ISDN Report produced in accordance with Article 7 of the said 
Recommendation. The report provides information on: 
Section 2: Progress of current implementations in the MS 
Section 3: Progress in standardisation 
Section 4: Introduction plans for EURO-ISDN 
Section 5: Migration to EURO-ISDN: issues and problems 
Section 6: ONP, Data protection, (Tariffs) 
Section 7: . Progress of ISDN in the less favoured regions: STAR, Télématique and 
future plans 
Section 8: ISDN development outside the Community 
Section 9: Initiatives and new proposals 
- 10-
PROGRESS OF ISDN IMPLEMENTATIONS IN THE MEMBER STATES 
This Section concerns the progress of the implementations of the current pre-EURO-ISDN 
offerings in the Member States made until the end of 1993. 
Current ISDN offerings are based on national standards which show some variations with 
regard to the options and range of services provided. The type of difierences between the 
various current ISDN implementations and the reasons for them were described in more detail 
in the Third Annual ISDN Report and have not changed in essence (please refer Section 2.1 of 
that report). 
Chapter 4 gives an account of the planning for the EURO-ISDN based on harmonised 
European standards. 
ISDN has been offered in the Community since 1987 and by the end of 1992 seven Member 
States (B, D, DK, F, I, UK and NL) had commercial ISDN offerings. 
Except Greece, the PNO's of all other Member States were operating ISDN pilots in the course 
of 1992. 
By the end of 1993 the PNO's in three further Member States, Ireland Spain and Portugal had 
also introduced commercial ISDN services. 
At the same time the operators of three countries (D, DK and F) provided full geographical 
coverage of their ISDN offerings (D: in the old Bundeslander), i.e., throughout the whole 
country the option to subscribe to ISDW existed in 1992. 
Deutsche Bundespost TELEKOM and France TELECOM have achieved a significant 
penetration of ISDN. At the end of 1993, the Deutsche Bundespost TELEKOM counted 
281 thousand subscribers of Basic Rate Accesses (BRA)5 and 18 thousand Primary Rate 
Accesses (PRA). France TELECOM accounts showed 91 thousand users of the BRA and 
12 thousand installed PRA. 
With regard to the PRA, it is worth mentioning that almost 100 % of new PABX (beyond a 
certain size) are connected to ISDN, owing to the attractiveness of the tariffs in Germany for 
this connection type. 
Owing to the later introduction and to some other reasons the numbers of ISDN accesses in 
operation in the other Member States are lower (also in comparative terms). 
Interconnections exist, either direct or in transit, between all Member States with commercial 
ISDN offerings. This is remarkable in so far as interconnectivity for newly introduced 
networks is frequently a problem. 
please refer to the Glossary of Technical Terms (Annex 6) for explanation 
-11 -
Table 1 provides an overview comprising the following type of data per Member State and 
PNO (geographical coverage, number of subscriptions, terminal addressing, migration to 
EURO-ISDN). 
Table 2 provides an overview of the status of international interconnections and the signalling 
protocol in use. 
Table 3 provides an overview of the services provided nationally and internationally. 
Acknowledgement 
All information provided here concerning the state of implementation of ISDN has been 
furnished by the PNO's concerned. The CEC thanks the PNO's for their kind collaboration. 
Table 1: ISDN coverage - subsribtions - migration to EURO-ISDN 
I 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Tele Denmark 
Fronce 
Germony 
old Laender 
new Laender 
Greece 
Ireland 
Holy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
TLP 
CPRM 
TP 
Spain 
UK 
BT 
Mercury territorial coveroge 
BRA {%) 
15 
100 
100 
70 
ded. cities 
— 
37 
only aera of the 
city of Luxembourg 
(70% end 1994) 
40 
40 
50 
10 
< 90 PRA (%) 
100 
100 
100 
70 
ded. cities 
— 
P 
37 
40 
Pi 
40 number of subscribtions 
BRA 
1500 
1217 
91000 
281000 
lot ISDN subscribe 
1000 
12 
850 
ot ISDN subscribe 
68 PRA 
15 
62 
12000 
18000 
rs 
20 
42 
rs 
16 
pilot ISDN subscribers 
BO l 100 | 15 
pil 
10 
100 ot ISDN subscriber 
150 
44000 s 
6000 terminol addressing 
E 164 
(DDI) 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes MSN 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes HLC 
no 
yes 
yes 
commercial start of ISDN in July 93 
yes yes yes Subaddr. 
yes 
yes 
yes 
no 
In 1994 
commercial start of ISDN begin 1994 
yes 
yes 
yes 
commercial 
yes 
yes yes 
yes 
yes 
start of ISDr-
yes 
yes yes 
yes 
yes 
J in June 93 
yes 
limited yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes miqrotion to EURO-ISDN 
offering existing 
ISDN until 
end 1994 
only EURO-ISDN 
upgrade 
2000 
Nov-93 
1998 
only EURO-ISDN 
only EURO-ISDN 
2000 offering 
EURO-ISDN from 
1993 
Jan-92 
Dec-93 
1993 
early-94 
Dec-93 
Nov-93 
early-94 
Jun-93 
end 1992 
end 1992 
Oct-93 tariffs 
fixed 
1993 
Jan-92 
Apr-93 
no 
Dec-93 
Nov-93 
no 
Apr-93 
latest 
end 1993 
latest 
end 1993 
Jul-93 «N 
Status: 01.01.93 (some of the data are updated towards the end of 1993) 
Table 2: International ISDN connections • protocols.. 
Belgium 
Denmork 
France 
Germany 
Greece 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
Spain 
UK 
Japan 
USA 
Switzerland 
Finland 
Sweden internotionol ISDN connections from EC countries / protocol 
Belgium 
TUP] 
TUP J 
TUP J 
TUP] 
TUPj 
TUP J 
TUPj 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
Norway 
Austria 
Sfngopore 
Australia 
Hong Kong TUPj 
TUPJ 
TUPJ Denmark 
TUPJ 
TUP* 
TUP* 
TUP* 
TUPJ 
TUP* 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ France Germany Greece 
TUPJ 
TUP* 
TUP* 
TUP* 
TUP* 
TUPJ 
TUP* 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) 
2) Ireland 
TUPJ (10-93J 
TUPJ (9*93) 
ISUP (11-93) 
TUPJ (9-93) 
TUPJ Italy Luxembourg 
. 
TUP* 
TUP* 
TUPj 
TUPj 
TUP* 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) Netherlands 
TUPJ 
TUP* 
TUP* 
TUP* Portugal 
ISUP V.1 
I SIP V.1 
ISUP V.1 
ISUP V.1 
3) I TUPj | 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) 
3) TUP* .ISUP V.1 
TUPj | 
TUPJ 
TUPj 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ 
TUPJ ISUP V.1 1) 
ISUP V.1 1) 
' Spain UK 
TUPj 
TUPj 
TUPj j 
TUPj | 
\ 
I 
, | 
TUPj 
. 
; 
TUPj , 
! TUPj | | 
TUPj 
TUPj 
TUPJ 
TUPJ I 
I 
1) to be set up until the end of 1993 
2) ISUP is now instalUng in Greek network 
3) Pre-ISDN in cooperation with France Telecom 
i 
1 . _ : t» 
Status: 01.01.93 
Table 3: National and international supported services-
64 Kbit/s unr. 
3.1 KHi audio 
speech 
X.31 
Teleph. 3.1 KHJ 
FAX gr A 
Télétex national (N) and international (I) supported services 
Belgium 
N,l 
N,I 
N,I 
H 
H 
H 
Telephony 7 KHi N 
Videotex 
Videotelephony 
CLIP 
CLIR 
DOI 
MSN 
TP 
CW 
CCBS 
eue 
UUS 
SUB 
3PTY 
AÛC 
COLP 
COLR H 
h 
H 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
H 
HCID I H 
CON F Denmark 
PTT T . TeleO 
N,I 
N,I 
N,I 
N,I 
N,i 
M.I 
N 
N 
H 
N,I 
N,I 
N 
N 
M 
H 
I 
M 
M France [Germany 
. 
. N,I 
M 
N,I 
N,I 
N,I 
M 
N,I 
N,I 
N,I , 
N,I 
N,I Greece 
N 
N 
N 
H Ireland 
(Dec 93) 
M 
N,l 
N,I 
H 
N,I 
N,I 
N,l 
N 
N 
N Italy 
N,I 
N,l 
N,I 
M 
N,I 
N,I 
N,l 
M 
M 
M 
N,I N 1 N,t 
M 
' M 
N,I 
N,I 
N,I 
MMC 
FPH | 
ECT 
CF8 
CFNR 
CFU 
CD 
HOLD H ' '.' 
H.I 
M,! 
N,I ' 
-
N,I N H,l 
N,l N,l 
N,I 
M,! 
N,I 
N,I 
-Luxembourg 
N,I Netherlands 
N,I 
N 
N 
M 
I 
I 
N,l 
N,I 
N 
N 
N 
N > Portugal 
TLP 
M 
N,I 
N,I 
N 
N,I 
H 
H 
H 
N,I 
N,l 
M 
N,I 
N 
N,l 
N,l CPRh 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
M I 
N,t I 
N 
N 
N 
N 
M 
N,l 
M I 
I '. TP 
N,I 
M 
N,l 
N 
N,I 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N,t 
N,I 
N,I 
M 
N,I 
M 
N,i 
N,l 
N,I 
N 
H 
N 
N 
N,I 
MJ 
M,I Spoin 
N,I 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
H 
N 
N 
N 
N 
H 
H 
N UK 
B7 
N, : 
H,: 
N, ; 
H,I 
N,! 
N 
K 
H 
N 
N Mere. -
1 
1 
1 1 1 i 1 
1 1 
"-C 
Status: 01.01.93 
- 15-
PROGRESS IN STANDARDISATION 
3.1 INTRODUCTION 
The transition from the national ISDN offerings to EURO-ISDN depends as one prerequisite on 
the availability of a complete set of basic standards which enable the implementation of EURO-
ISDN in an unambiguous and compatible manner throughout Europe. 
ETSI, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute is responsible for all standards 
related to EURO-ISDN. 
A detailed description of the method adopted by ETSI to organise this huge standardisation 
task, notably with the creation of the ISDN Standards Management (ISM) committee has been 
given in the preceding report. 
ISM, which's mandate was confined to the management of the standards-related to the EURO-
ISDN has come with its 13th meeting in November 1991 to the end of its terms. Its successor, 
the new ISDN Management and Coordination Committee (IMCC), which had taken over the 
responsibilities of ISM and which's tasks had been enlarged to cover in particular also the 
interest of standardisation for private ISDN networks, finished its work after the 6th meeting. 
3.2 STATUS OF EURO-ISDN STANDARDS 
The scope of work in relation to the EURO-ISDN comprises 180 standards devided into 196 
work items. These standards cover areas like network aspects, interfaces, services, test 
standards a.o.m. 
These EURO-ISDN standards including the technical reports which go along with them fill 
several thousand pages. 
A comprehensive overview on those standards is given in the ETR6 10 which can be procured 
from ETSI. The address of ETSI is found in Annex 1. 
In order to describe the status of ISDN standards, ETSI documents identify 12 "Status classes" 
indicating the progress of a standards towards completion (from "No draft available" to 
"publication of the standard"). 
According to the prevailing interpretation, standards which are in status class 8 (= approval by 
relevant Technical Committee) or higher are considered as technically stable and suitable as 
basis for implementation. 
From Figure 2 it can be seen that 165 work items (equals 84 %) are in status class 8 or higher. 
All standards required for the implementation of EURO-ISDN were finished by the end 
of 1992. 
ETSI Technical Report 
- X€ -
Fig. 2: Progress towards completion of ISM standards 
100 -r 
90 
80 4-96 
8 
en 
E 
E 
3 70 
60 
50 + 
40 
30 4-
20 
10 
2 
6 7 
Status class 10 11 12 
d 27/10/92 • 29/12/93 
- 17-
From the remaining 31 work items, 24 concern test standards, which have often been started 
later and 7 relate to general and interworking aspects which are not required for 
implementation purposes. 
In conclusion, all requirement standards related to the MoU services and network aspects are 
stabilised. The difficulties which have existed for the standards concerning two supplementary 
services, CCBS7 and ECT8 have been resolved. It remains in essence to finalise part of the test 
standards. 
The CEC has substantially contributed to this work programme, also by two standardisation 
mandates. 
3.3 FREEZING OF EURO-ISDN STANDARDS 
Upon a proposal from the CEC, DG XIII ETSI has worked out and decided about a freezing of 
EURO-ISDN standards. 
The purpose of the freezing of EURO-ISDN standards is to enable a stable implementation of 
the EURO-ISDN facilities, so that at least for a certain period the compatibility of the 
functionalities concerned (first and foremost the user/network interfaces but also services) can 
be ensured. 
Normal maintenance of the concerned standards, work on compatible extensions and work on 
other standards (not concerned by the freezing) will continue. 
It was decided that the period of freezing is three years ending in June 1995. 
3.4 FURTHER ISDN STANDARDISATION 
In the area of public ISDN standardisation work continues related to services not covered by 
the MoU on ISDN (sometimes referred to as "Priority 3" standards). Further ongoing work is 
related to private ISDNs. 
As it was referred to above, the task of the successor committee IMCC has been enlarged by 
the interests for private ISDN networks taken over from CENELEC9. Also this work 
programme which started in 1988 in CENELEC was covered by a mandate from the CEC. 
This mandate (BC-IT-74 to BC-IT-77) aimed at an adequate level of interworking between 
private and public ISDN services enabling interoperability of terminals, ISPBX's and 
CENTREXs in a multi-vendor environment. A taxonomy for the standardisation aspects of this 
area is given in M-IT-05. 
The programme of work in this area is of a similar size and complexity as the one for EURO-
ISDN. While the existing EURO-ISDN standards take account of private and public ISDN 
interworking in particular for ISDN bearer services and ISDN telematic services, more 
elaborated requirements from the private ISDN area have meanwhile been put forward in the 
standardisation committees. 
7 Completion of Calls to Busy Subscribers 
8 Explicit Call Transfer 
9 Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique 
- 18-
ECMA10 and the IPNS11 Forum have and continue to contribute for a good deal of this work 
area for which within ETSI the Technical Committee Business Telecommunications (BT) is 
formally responsible. 
As it can be derived already from the sheer size of the task, it will not be possible to finalise 
these work items within a short period of time. 
In order to permit an orderly coexistence of public and private ISDNs, two scenario's have 
been described. 
The overlay scenario means that the intervening network (IVN), eg. the public ISDN is used to 
provide transparent end-to-end connections between private networks (PTN). The IVN does not 
take part in the call establishment of the PTN or in the service provision of the PTN. In other 
words the public ISDN as IVN is working according to the definition of the existing interface 
standards. Hence, this scenario does not imply any significant modifications or upgrades to the 
existing EURO-ISDN standards. 
In contrast, the second scenario, called integrated scenario, assumes that-a public and a private 
ISDN interwork in a way where the signalling protocols defined for the interface between the 
two networks are adapted to the specific/additional requirements stemming from the private 
network. Those specific requirements arise in particular from the (richer set of) services 
features of the private side. For this second scenario, the ETSI work programme contains a 
pre-normative work item which is examining the conceptual aspects and the standards required. 
Figure 3 provides a schematic overview on the private and public ISDN interworking. 
The Commission recognised the importance of ISDN standards for private network with the 
continued political validity of the standardisation mandates BC 74-77 (c/f Section 3.5 of the 3rd 
Annual Progress Report). 
A proper interworking between public and private ISDNs is important, already for the reason 
that today the vast majority of ISDN user is connected to an ISPBX, the most common form of 
a private ISDN. 
However, it must be avoided that the EURO-ISDN standards are destabilised by the new 
requirements, since this would jeopardise their implementation, if not the credibility of EURO-
ISDN as such. 
Therefore, the sector actors have voluntarily agreed on the freezing discussed above. 
Finally, one further most important standardisation aspect, EURO-ISDN type approval 
standards, is not mentioned. ETSI, which has the responsibility for the production of the 
technical basis for such type approval standards, foresees to finalise them only by 
October 1994. Adding the necessary administrative times for adoption by the formal 
committees and their publication leads to their availability in spring 1995. This presents a 
major drawback for the introduction of EURO-ISDN terminals. 
10 European Computers Manufacturers Association 
11 ISDN Private Networking and Signalling 
Figure 3 - IS -
S/T 
TÉ- Q S/T 
ntervening Network C :TE 
IVN Access Control 
Inter-PTNX Control 
-20-
3.5 SOFTWARE INTERFACES FOR ISDN TERMINALS 
One standardisation aspect which is crucial for the ISDN terminal development in Europe but 
which is not included in the scope of the EURO-ISDN standards, is the so-called 
"Programmable Communication Interface" (PCI). 
A PCI is a software interface which allows to have common access methods to ISDN services 
from a PC (or another type of computer) which implements an interface for ISDN. In practice a 
harmonised PCI would allow to install software from various sources on an existing hardware 
platform (eg. ISDN access card for a PC). In technical terms this capability is called software 
portability. 
Network related and telematic services related PCI's are distinguished. Standardised PCI's are 
a prerequisite for the portability of application software, eg. for a telematic service like file 
transfer and hence are important for the development of a truly multi-vendor ISDN terminal 
market. 
ETSI, again with the support of the Commission is developing currently PCI standards. 
The rapid availability and implementation of this type of interface in ISDN terminal equipment 
is required. 
Following a mandate from the Commission, in the meantime ETSI has prepared a standard 
which was also accepted as a base for the international standardisation work in that area. 
3.6 CONCLUSION ON STANDARDISATION 
In conclusion it can be said that ETSI has mastered the huge task of the production of the 
EURO-ISDN standards successfully. 
Apart from some test standards, all standards required for the implementation are stabilised. 
ETSI has a clear leading position in ISDN standardisation in the world-wide context, which 
will also contribute to a leading position of Europe with respect to deployment of ISDN. 
In order to accomplish this success also in terms of commercial offerings available to users 
throughout Europe, it is required that those standards are now fully implemented. 
3.7 ISDN TEST STANDARDS AND CONFORMITY TESTING 
As mentioned in the preceding section, test standards for ISDN now account for an important 
part of the ongoing EURO-ISDN standardisation work in ETSI. For the implementation of 
these (and other) test standards the CEC launched in 1985 the Conformance Testing Services 
(CTS) programme with the aim of supporting the development, and provision of services which 
will test conformity of manufacturers' equipment to standards. Applicable standards comprise 
(inter alia): ISO norms, CCITT recommendations, ETSI ETSs and CEN/CENELEC ENVs 
and ENs. 
-21 -
All these European standards have a voluntary status and the Conformance Testing Services are 
thus also conducted on a voluntary basis. 
Preference and priority are given to relevant European standards where available. Moreover, 
strong emphasis is given to harmonisation and testing equivalence aspects so that the services 
offered by different laboratories involved in each CTS project can be recognised as equivalent. 
In the context of type approval of telecommunications terminal equipment obligatory testing is 
used. For this purpose technical regulations (known as CTRs12 and, where these are not yet 
available, NETs13) are derived as subsets from the corresponding harmonised standards. 
The following CTS projects concern particularly the definition of test specifications and the 
establishment of testing centres in the ISDN area: 
CTS 2 
CTS 2 
CTS 2bis 
CTS 2bis 
CTS 3 
CTS 3 
CTS 4 
CTS 4 
CTS 4 ISDN-BA 
ISDN-TA 
ISDN-PA 
ISDN-RA 
ISDN-VP 
NI-ISUP 
ISDN-SS 
ISDN-VTX 
SS7 (ISDN Basic Access) 
(ISDN Terminal Adaptors) 
(ISDN Primary Access) 
(ISDN Rate Adaptor) 
(ISDN Video Phone) 
(Network Interworking - ISUP+X.75) 
(ISDN Supplementary Services) 
GSDN Videotex) 
(Signalling System no. 7) 
Table 4: Current CTS projects relevant to ISDN 
The total CEC commitment for these ISDN projects is 10.6 MECU. 
During 1992 the latest phase of CTS (CTS 5) was launched and technically acceptable 
proposals were received in the following areas: 
ISDN-PCI 
CTR-DNET (Programmable Communications Interface for ISDN) 
(CTR Testing for Digital Networks; CTRs 2,3,4,8) 
Negotiations (subject to budgetary limitations) have taken place which have lead to the placing 
of contracts with the consortia for ISDN-PCI and CTR-DNET. 
One of the objectives of the CTS projects is the contribution of the relevant Abstract Test 
Specifications (ATS) to the European and world standardization bodies concerned, where they 
will serve as a primary input for future test standards. So far, the Abstract Test Suites (ATSs) 
developed in the ISDN-BA, ISDN-TA, ISDN-PA, ISDN-RA projects have been submitted to 
ETSI, while the ISDN-BA and ISDN-SS projects have cabled submissions to CCITT S.G. XI. 
The uptake of the CTS material by ETSI has been sporadic but improved cooperation 
procedures are being developed which should make this process more effective in future. 
12 Common Technical Regulation 
13 Norme Européenne de Télécommunications 
- 22 -
Another objective of the CTS ISDN projects, particularly where they support clearly different 
profiles, is the provision of a "modular" testing service. A kernel service is offered which 
involves the testing to the obligatory technical regulations (NETs and CTRs); however full 
conformity testing to the voluntary standards will also be offered. 
In a carefully coordinated and complementary manner to the CTS programme, a series of 
mandates for the standardisation of ISDN test specifications has been placed with ETSI. 
Prominent amongst those are: 
BC-T-234 Test specifications for D-channel signalling 
BC-T-245 QSIG 
BC-T-246 ISDN telematic services 
BC-T-293 ISUP protocols 
BC-T-294 ISDN videophone 
BC-T-296 ISDN PCI 
Table 5 shows the laboratories that will provide the testing service and the scheduled 
availability: 
Project 
ISDN-BA 
ISDN-TA 
ISDN-PA 
ISDN-RA 
ISDN-VP 
NI-ISUP 
ISDN-SS 
ISDN-VTX 
SS7 Testing service provided by Availability 
organisation (country) 
CET (P), CNET (F), mid-1993 
CSELT (I), EOLAS (IRL), FTZ (D), 
PTT-NL (NL), TID (E), TD (DK) 
CET (P), EOLAS (IRL) end - 1992 
CNET (F), CSELT (I), EOLAS (IRL) 
FTZ (D), TID (E), TD (DK) end- 1993 
CET (P), EOLAS (IRL) end - 1993 
CSELT (I), EOLAS (IRL) mid - 1993 
CSELT (I), NCSR (GR) end - 1993 
CNET (F), CSELT (I), mid - 1993 
EOLAS (IRL), FTZ (D), 
TD (DK), TELEVERKET (S) 
SEMA (F), TID (E), ISPT (I) mid - 1994 
BT (UK), CSELT (I), NCSR (GR) mid - 1995 
Table 5: CTS test laboratories 
-23-
4 INTRODUCTION PLANS FOR EURO-ISDN 
This Section concerns the plans of the PNO's for the introduction of EURO-ISDN. 
The term EURO-ISDN is used to refer to the ISDN introduction as defined in the respective 
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by 26 PNO's from 20 European countries. 
EURO-ISDN means the introduction of a common set of compatible ISDN interfaces and 
services implemented on the basis of harmonised standards (discussed in Section 3). 
With the start of the commercial offering of EURO-ISDN during EURIE >93 a major 
milestone of the Community's telecommunications policy efforts since 1985 towards the 
"Coordinated Introduction of ISDN" was accomplished. 
The following sections will describe in more detail the scope of EURO-ISDN and the 
deployment plans of the PNO's for this harmonised network. 
- 24 -
4.1 SCOPE OF EURO-ISDN 
The scope of the EURO-ISDN is defined in the MoU mentioned earlier. 
A group called IMIMG14 consisting of the PNO's which have signed the MoU coordinates the 
measurers to ensure the introduction of EURO-ISDN. 
Table 6 lists the essential elements which are an integral part of EURO-ISDN. This services 
and facilities are the agreed minimum which will be offered by all parties. 
User/network 
interfaces: 
International 
Interface: 
Bearer 
Services (BS): 
Supplementary 
Services: 
Tele-
Services: Basic Rate Access (BRA) 
Primary Rate Access (PRA) 
ISDN User Part, Version 1 
Circuit mode 64kbit/s unrestricted BS 
Circuit mode 3.1kHz audio BS 
Calling Line Identification Presentation 
Calling Line Identification Restriction 
Direct Dialling In 
Multiple Subscriber Number 
Terminal Portability 
the ISDN includes capabilities 
to support a number of teleservices 
Table 6: Scope of EURO-ISDN 
Beyond this minimum list of offerings, many of the PNO's will offer further harmonised 
services. Annex 2 provides an overview of them. 
14 ISDN MoU Implementation and Management Group 
-25-
4.2 DEPLOYMENT PLANS FOR EURO-ISDN 
From the Working Group TEN-ISDN (WG TEN-ISDN)15 information from the PNO's 
concerning the timing and geographical coverage of the roll-out of EURO-ISDN are available. 
It is noted that the approaches of the operators regarding the introduction of EURO-ISDN vary. 
One way of introducing EURO-ISDN is to install a second software capability (the one of 
EURO-ISDN) into the local ISDN switch which will (during a certain period of time) co-exist 
with the software for the existing national ISDN service. 
Another migration strategy is to upgrade in steps the existing ISDN software to become 
(gradually) conformant to the definition of the EURO-ISDN standards. 
Consequently, it may be the case that some of the data indicated below, refer to a software 
capability which is very close but not 100% identical (at a given point in time) to the 
harmonised standards. It is, however, assumed, that in all cases the software capability referred 
to below will cater for terminal interchangeability (one of the prime objectives of the EURO-
ISDN standardisation). 
Deployment timing 
All PNOs participated in EURIE' 93 with demonstrations of EURO-ISDN implementations. By 
the end of 1993, all Member States were offering commercial EURO-ISDN, except for Greece 
and Luxembourg. EURO-ISDN service will be launched in Luxembourg in March 1994. 
Geographical coverage will already be achieved some months later. A EURO-ISDN Pilot 
project will be implemented in Greece in 1994. 
Table 7 gives detailed information related to the introduction of EURO-ISDN. 
15 The Working Group TEN ISDN was established for the elaboration of the proposal to develop ISDN as a 
trans-European network and had delegates from the public network operators and Member States (see also 
section 9.4). 
-26-
Tahle 7: EURO-ISDN in the EC 
Basic Rate Access16 Geographical Coverage 
21-40% bis 60% bis 80 % 100 % 
Belgium 
Denmark 
France 
Germany 
Greece 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
Spain 
UK 01/94 
07/95 
01/94 
01/94 
01/94 
01/94 07/94 
01/94 
07/96 
01/95 
07/94 01/98 
07/94 
07/95 
01/95 
01/94 
01/96 01/95 
01/94 
01/95 
01/95 
n. pi. 
01/97 
01/96 
07/94 
01/96 
01/95 
01/94 
n. pi.: no planning data exists 
> blank < : information not available 
16 conformant to ETS 300.153 
-27-
With the start of EURO-ISDN the efforts for the coordinated introduction of this infrastructure 
are not finalised yet. 
The following sections discuss further issues and problems (eg. migration problems) related to 
the successful introduction of EURO-ISDN. 
Reference is made to the proposals developed in the context of TEN (see also Section 9.4) 
which will allow to address part of these issues and problems. 
-28-
MIGRATION TO EURO-ISDN: ISSUES AND PROBLEMS 
It is evident that migration problems as such essentially concern the PNO's which have already 
pre-EURO-ISDN offerings in service. The dimension of the problem is influenced, amongst 
other factors by the number of current ISDN users. 
There are some problems related to the migration which impact also on the other PNO's, eg, 
terminal related matters. 
Regarding the pure migration problems two categories, network and terminal/user related 
aspects can be distinguished. 
5.1 MIGRATION: NETWORK RELATED ASPECTS 
Section 4.2 above has already discussed the principal approaches regarding the transition from 
national offerings to EURO-ISDN. The existing networks are either (step by step) upgraded or 
EURO-ISDN functionalities are offered in coexistence with current implementations. 
The latter strategy is mainly useful if the set of functionalities of the current ISDN service is 
richer than the initial set of services of EURO-ISDN. It depends also on the number and nature 
of differences between the two implementations. 
A crucial question of this latter strategy is during which period the current offering will co­
exist with the EURO-ISDN service. 
5.2 MIGRATION: USER/TERMINAL RELATED ASPECTS 
From the perspective of an user of national ISDN offerings, the main questions are: 
whether existing ISDN terminal equipment can be used in connection with EURO-ISDN 
and 
which services which have been used so far, are offered on the EURO-ISDN. 
The first question, in technical terms, relates to the objective of terminal interchangeability, 
i.e., the usage of ISDN terminal equipment at either network implementation. 
Depending on the approach adopted on the network side the following options occur: 
existing terminals cannot be used on EURO-ISDN 
existing terminals can be used with some restrictions 
existing terminals can be used without restrictions. 
It is evident that in the case where an existing network is upgraded in steps, these questions 
depends on the version which is implemented in the terminal equipment. 
-29-
Usage with restriction may typically mean that basic (eg. telephone or facsimile connections) 
can be set up, but not all of the facilities (eg. a supplementary service) may be available (or 
compatible) with the current implementation. 
To current users of ISDN which have further questions related to this issue, it is recommended 
to address to the customer service of their respective operator. 
5.3 PRIVATE ISDN NETWORKING 
As mentioned in Section 3.4 (Further Standardisation) ISPBX are important for thé 
development of ISDN per se, because the majority of ISDN terminal equipment (which 
generate the traffic) is connected to them. 
While ISPBX - for example in the context of type approval - are considered as attachments (to 
the public network), from the perspective of the user, they can be regarded as (private) 
networks. 
Like a public switching node, an ISPBX is essentially a switching and call processing apparatus 
and can consist of several nodes (PTNX). 
PTNX can be interconnected by various transmission means, by leased lines, by satellite 
connections or for example by public switched networks like the ISDN. 
The interworking of public and private ISDN nodes is subject to further standardisation efforts. 
All major PABX manufacturers have products with ISDN capabilities (ISPBX), typically with a 
number of additional features. 
For PABX manufacturers the current differences of the public ISDN interfaces (c/f. Chapter 2) 
imply as for the producers of other terminal equipment additional development efforts. 
Owing to the often very diverse needs of business users, the (I)PBX manufacturers have 
implemented proprietary interfaces on the extension line side. This has in principle the 
disadvantage that terminals from other manufacturers cannot be used. However, (I)PBX 
manufacturers will now implement harmonised interfaces on the extension line side. 
The achievement of a harmonised interface (in the case of a PABX at the T-Reference Point) at 
the public as well as at the private network for the sake of terminal interchangeability is a 
prime target. 
According to a position of the European ISDN User Forum (EIUF) the harmonised interface 
should be available on all ISPBX. 
In the nearer future public ISDN may offer an enhanced set of features aimed at business users 
similar as this is today the case with ISPBX. Feature compatibility is therefore another 
objective. Features which are newly introduced in the public ISDN should be aligned with the 
features used in private ISDNs which are based on public standards. 
-30-
5.4 SPEED OF DEPLOYMENT AND RANGE OF SERVICES 
A further general issue related to the introduction of EURO-ISDN is the timing of its roll-out, 
i.e., its geographical availability over time. 
Section 4.2 provides a general overview on the roll-out schedule of EURO-ISDN. 
With reference to the important role of a modern general telecommunications infrastructure for 
the functioning of the single market, ideally a fully fledged ISDN would have been required for 
1993. 
While, notably in central parts of the Community, EURO-ISDN is available, many of the 
less favoured regions will again be disadvantaged by a roll- out which may extend to the 
year 2000 and after. 
A third aspect is the range of services of national ISDN versions compared to the offering of 
services of EURO-ISDN. 
For example, there will be cases where the current ISDN offers a richer set of services than 
available with the initial offering of EURO-ISDN. Some supplementary services may also be 
implemented on the basis of differing standards. Again, it is recommended to ISDN customers 
who face this kind of question to obtain details from their operator. 
Reference is made again to the concept to develop ISDN under the TEN framework, which 
contains proposals which address this problem. 
Given the volume of investment which is required, but looking also to the macro-economic 
effects (eg. growth initiative) of this type of investment, particular efforts from the side of the 
structural funds will be required to narrow this new infrastructural gap. 
5.5 ISDN TARIFF ISSUES 
From the perspective of a user, the tariffs, beside the question of terminal availability, are 
probably the most important factor influencing the choice of networking offerings to which one 
may subscribe. 
Some PNO's, at the occasion of the introduction of EURO-ISDN have lowered eg. the monthly 
subscription as compared to existing offerings. 
Since ISDN (BRA) provides two independent B-channels (comparable to two telephone lines, 
but with the speed and other advantages inherent to ISDN), it should be envisaged that the 
tariff (monthly subscription) approaches the level of the subscription of a double telephone line 
(which is often cheaper than twice a single line). On the longer run, such a tariff policy would 
stimulate the residential subscriber market to migrate to ISDN. 
Table 8 provides a summary of the current ISDN tariffs. 
The EURIE '93 handbook that was produced by OVUM reveals a, number of tariff anomalies 
between Member States. These anomalies apply to both monthly rental charges and call 
charges. 
ISDN tariffs in Belgium 
jne tariffs oro In Belgian francs. VAT b additional ai W.5 /o 
One off 
connection 
Access 5900; Of 3500 for 
converting an 
existing Sne Table 8 
BA Monthly Usage 
rontal 
10-'0 One off 
connection 
391.625 PA Monthly 
rental 3-/ 
Usage 
29.000 
Cheaper rates for 
longer rental periods 
Bearer services 
circuit mode 
-3.1 kHz audio 
-speech 
- coll attempt (for unsuccessful cans) 
- unrestricted 
packet mode 
-X31 case B (D channel) 
ISDN tariffs in Denmark 5 per time unit 
5 per time unit 
0.5 
2 + 1 per 1/5 
time unit 
In discussion AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
The tariffs ore in Danish kroner. VAT Is additional at 25% 
One off 
connection 
Access 1520 BA Monthly 
rental 
160 Usage One off 
connection 
15.200 PA Monthly 
rental 
1597 Usage 
Bearer services 
circuit mode 
• 3.1 kHz audio 
- unrestricted 
-speech 
pocket mode 
ISDN tariffs In Franco As PSTN plus 0D4 
per col or attempted cafl 
Not available AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
The tariffs ore in French francs. VAT is additional at 18.6% 
Access 
Bearer services One off 
connection 
675 BA Monthly 
rental 
300 Usage One oft 
connection 
4200 PA Monthly 
rental 
3120 Usage 
circuit mode 
-3.1 kHz audio 
-speech 
-unrestricted 
pocket mode 
-)C31 case B(B channel) 
-X.31œseB(D channel) 2200 
ISDN tariffs In Germany 400 As PSTN 
As PSTN 
PSTN plus 40% (oofts over 100 km) 
As Transpoc plus speed-dependent charge per minute 
JÛ& per kfooctet. plus Transpoc charges AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
The tariffs ore in German marks ond are not subject to tax 
Access One off 
connection 
130 BA Monthly 
rental 
59 Usage One off 
connection 
200 PA Monthly Usage 
rental 
498 
Bearer services 
circuit mode 
-3.1 kHz audio 
- unrestricted 
-speech As PSTN 
(no cod set up) AsvtaBA 
pocket mode 
-X31 case B (B channel) Not available Notavoloble 
ISDN tariffs in Ireland 
The tariffs are in Irish pounds. VAT is additional at 21% 
One off 
connection 
Access 
Beorer services 420 
circuit mode 
-3.1 kHz audio 
-speech 
-unrestricted BA Monthly Usage 
rental 
35 One off 
connection 
4200 
As PSTN (no oofl set up charge) 
As PSTN 
1.25 times PSTN rates 
f or national cote. 1JS times 
PSTN rates for International caBs PA Monthly Usage 
rental 
350 
AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
ISDN tariffs in Italy 
The tariffs ore in tira. VAT is additional at 19% for business users 
Ono off BA Monthly 
connection rontal Usage Ono oft 
connection 3<ô 
PA Monthly 
rontal Usago 
Access 400.000 50.000 600.000 690.000 
Bearer services 
circuit mode 
-3.1 kHz audio 
-speech 
- unrestricted As PSTN Ond call set up 127) 
As PSTN (Inct caB set up 127) 
Double PSTN rates (national 
calls). PSTN +10%-30% for 
International caBs AsviaBA 
AsvtaBA 
As via BA 
pocket mode 
-X31 case B (B channel) 20.000 (up to 9.6kbit/s). 
iœ.0CO(uptoMkbit/s) 
ISDN tariffs in the Netherlands AsPSPDN AsvtaBA AsviaBA 
The toriffs are in Dutch gu«ders and are not subject to tax 
One off BA Monthly 
connection rental 
Access 600 85 Usage One off 
connection 
8000 PA Monthly 
rental 
850 Usage 
Bearer services 
circuit mode 
-3.1kHzoudio 
- unrestricted 
-speech 
pocket mode 
cafl set up AsPSTN 
(including 0X)825 for 
col set up) 
Notavaflabie 
0.0688 for local cans to 
0.15 for International calls AsvtaBA 
Not available 
AsvtaBA 
ISDN tariffs in Spain 
The toriffs are in pesetas. VAT ts additional at 15% 
One off 
connection BA Monthly Usage 
rental One off 
connection PA Monthly 
rental Usage 
Access 45.000 8000 1.254.652 146.583 
Bearer services 
circuit mode 
-3.1 kHz audio 
- unrestricted 
-speech 
pocket mode 
-X31 case B (B channel) AsPSTN 
(no cad set up) 
Not available AsvtaBA 
Not available 
ISDN tariffs in Portugal 
The tariffs are in Portuguese Escudos. VAT is additional at 16% 
Access 
Bearer services One off 
connection 
30.172 BA Monthly 
rental 
4310 Usage One off PA Monthly Usage 
connection rental 
129.310 36.638 
circuit mode 
-3.1 kHz audio 
-unrestricted 
-speech 
pocket mode 
-X31 case A (B channeO AsPSTN 
(no can set up charge) 
in discussion AsvtaBA 
AsvtaBA 
ISDN tariffs In the UK - BT 
The tariffs are m pounds sterling. VAI is additional at 17.5% 
Access One off 
connection 
400 BA Monthly 
rental 
28 Usage One off 
connection 
2970 PA Monthly 
rental 
338.7 Usage 
Bearer services 
circuit mode 
-3.1 kHz audio 
-speech 
-unrestricted 
pocket mode 
-X.T1 rrtfn R tW '-*v-)nrwin AsPSTN 
AsPSTN 
As PSTN for national cafls. 
At least 2-5 times PSTN rate for 
International cafls. Set up charge 
to North America 0,546 
•• ' ' • Whin As via BA 
-33-
Rentals 
There are three significant ratios to be considered: 
the ratio of the monthly rentals for ISDN basic rate access against a single PSTN exchange 
line 
the ratio between the monthly rentals for ISDN Primary rate access against a single PSTN 
exchange line. 
the ratio between the monthly rentals for ISDN primary rate access and basic rate access. 
The first two ratios are crucial factors for users to consider in assessing the benefits of 
migrating from the PSTN to ISDN. The third indicates the internal consistency in the ISDN 
tariffs. 
The table below indicates differences between Member States in these ratios. The large 
differences indicate that tariffs for ISDN are far from being cost oriented in some Member 
States, as required under ONP Principles (see also Section 6). 
As pointed out in the preceding report, there are also differences in the tariff structures of the 
current ISDN offerings. 
Table 9: ISDN Tariff ratios in Member States 
In conclusion, the introduction of EURO-ISDN has certainly been a good opportunity to revise 
the tariffs and tariff principles for ISDN. 
- 34 -
5.6 THF "TELEMATIC GAP" IN ISDN 
As it is well known the "S" in ISDN stands for "Services". Services integration via one 
user/network interface is one of the key features of ISDN. Three categories of services are 
usually distinguished in the conf-xt of ISDN: 
bearer services; 
teleservices and 
supplementary services17. 
In EURO-ISDN, these three categories of services are fully harmonised services, and , if 
implemented, then on the basis of common standards. 
Beside these categories of services, there is a further category usually referred to as 
applications. Applications may be standardised or may be of proprietary nature (not 
standardised, i.e., incompatible with other applications). 
While the bearer services generally do not present problems in terms of availability and 
compatibility and there is a good number of well defined supplementary services, there is a 
lack of compatible non-voice telematic services. 
Non-voice telematic services are for example facsimile, text services, videotex, file transfer, 
electronic mail a.o.m. 
While it cannot be denied that all of these services are offered somewhere and somehow, the 
problem is that apart from facsimile group 3 (which is rather a telephone network service, 
but an ISDN service), non of these services is offered on a harmonised and European-wide 
basis. 
This absence of non-voice telematic services is referred to as the "Telematic Gap in ISDN". 
The reasons for this telematic gap are manifold. One crucial factor apparently is the question of 
the "responsibility" for the provision of them. 
In order to discuss this problem in more detail, a further distinction needs to be introduced. 
Regarding such tele(matic) services two categories can be distinguished: 
end-to-end services and 
services with added functionalities (VAS)18. 
Services of the first category, are transparent for the network, which means that the 
functionality specific to a given service, say facsimile, is implemented (solely) in the end 
system. 
17 please refer to the Glossary of terms for explanation 
18 Value Added Services 
-35-
In the other category, additional functionalities like store and forward mechanisms, database or 
conversion facilities are added to the network or between the network and the end system. 
To simplify the analysis of the "telematic gap", here only the first category is further 
discussed. 
One pre-requisite for the development of telematic services as basic services for the general 
public at large (eg. all businesses), is the ensurance of their end-to-end compatibility in a multi-
vendor environment. 
Given that in the case of the first category the specific telematic functionality is implemented 
(only) in the end system (eg. telecom terminal), the terminal manufacturers decide with their 
designs whether the products are multi-vendor compatible or not. 
The negative experience of the past years shows, that apart from facsimile group 3, where the 
design leadership is in the hands of Japanese manufacturers, there is not a single new 
compatible non-voice basic telematic service which has any tangible European penetration. 
In other words, the forces of the markets have not led to achieve end-to-end interoperability for 
basic services. 
A typical example is file transfer, a basic mechanism for the transfer of data, which is of 
interest to be "re-used" in many applications. 
Already from the recognised standardisation organisations in Europe currently five different 
standards/profiles for file transfer exist. On top of that there is a large variety of proprietary 
implementations. In essence, most of these protocols are incompatible which each other. This 
situation also prevents that a mass market can develop; the market stays fragmented. 
"Averages users" suffer from this failure of absence of compatible end-to-end services 
available throughout Europe. 
In discussions of this point in the European ISDN User Forum (EIUF), users have made clear, 
that end-to-end interoperability is a key issue for them. At the same time this is a key objective 
of the Community's telecommunications policy. 
The major reason for this failure is apparently the enormous competitive pressure under 
which terminal manufacturers operate. It is clear, that in a competitive environment, the 
market participants will attempt to differentiate their products. Differentiation of products 
leads in a digital and software oriented environment necessarily to incompatibility. 
Manufacturers of such equipment pursue their own product strategy. 
Also the work of the standardisation organisations have not allowed to remedy this situation 
because the problem is rather an implementation problem than a standardisation problem. 
On the other hand, the public network operators, who's general networks are indispensable 
as delivery mechanism for basic services, are hesitating to take the lead for the solution of 
this problem. 
One simple reason for that is that, their end-to-end networks, as said before, are physically not 
concerned with the implementation of such services. Secondly, the provision of such basic 
telematic services, where the public network operators would act as a service provider would 
raise a number of questions relevant to competition right (mixed status: network is in 
monopoly, services are in competition but service functionality is independent from network). 
-36-
Consequently, the provision of terminals and the offering of telematic series were excluded 
from the scope of the activities of the MoU on the introduction of EURO-ISDN. 
On the other hand, a general network like ISDN is indispensable for the access/ delivery of any 
basic service, i.e., for which the aim is ubiquity. 
In view of these problems, the Commission and the PNO's of the Community, under the 
heading of the TEN have taken now the initiative to create the conditions which will allow to 
achieve a market of compatible telematic services and terminals across Europe. 
For example (refer to Section 5.3 for more details), this problem of incompatibility is today the 
predominant situation in a specific important ISDN sector, the one of the private ISDN' 
(ISPBXs). Almost every ISPBX manufacturer has a propriety solution already at the level of 
the interface for the attachment of terminals, which means for the user, that once he has chosen 
a ISPBX, he cannot, in principle, connect terminals from another manufacturer to it. 
It is therefore necessary, that in particular all public procurements of such equipment, 
require the provision of standardised interfaces for the attachment of terminal equipment. 
5.7 ISDN AND THE "REVIEW 92" 
As an introductory remark, it is to be noted that the ISDN is a general switched public 
infrastructure designed to carry voice and other services. 
Voice over ISDN will remain at least for another ten years the main source of traffic (it is 
assumed that by the year 2000 still more than 60% of the traffic on ISDN is voice traffic). 
In other words, the regulatory regime applicable to the voice service, which cannot be 
dissociated from the underlying network, will be fully applicable to ISDN. 
For this reason it is necessary to study fully the implications of eventual changes of the 
regulatory regime for ISDN. 
It is worth repeating, that a particular interesting part of the "real time switched voice market" 
makes already today extensively use of ISDN (and not of the PSTN), viz, the market for voice 
served by ISPBX. Taking the important example of Germany (important in the sense that 
approx. 50% of all current ISDN subscribers are connected to the German ISDN), almost 
100% of all new PABX (apart from very small PABX) are connected to ISDN. In other words, 
a rapidly increasing part of the business subscribers rely on ISDN for voice delivery. 
-37-
5.8 UNIVERSALITY Of THE ISDN OFFERING 
On 7.12.93 the Commission adopted a Resolution on universal service principles in a 
competitive environment. 
This Resolution also includes ISDN as recommended offering for the definition of such a 
universal service. 
5.9 NETWORK INTEGRITY 
One essential requirement defined in Community legislation regarding the public switched 
network infrastructure is network integrity. 
Network integrity is defined equally in the services and the ONP framework directive as one of 
the essential requirements meaning non-economic reasons in the general interest which have to 
be taken into account. 
It is therefore urgently required to come to a clear definition of what is understood by 
network integrity. This will be the subject of one or two key studies planned by the 
Commission. 
Without prejudice to any future definition of this key essential requirement regarding the public 
switched networks, it can be noted, that the non-economic implications of this issue go way 
beyond the question of the definition of "points of presence" as this is required in certain 
scenario's for the interconnection of networks. 
For example, one «uch aspect concerns the question of the performance budgeting between 
various network in <m interconnect scenario. For the time being there is no established answer 
to this type of problem. 
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6 ONP. DATA PROTECTION (TARIFFS) 
6.1 PROGRESS WITH OPEN NETWORK PROVISION (ONP) AND ISDN 
ISDN is one of the priority areas for the application of Open Network Provision (ONP) under 
the ONP framework Directive19. 
ONP aims to stimulate the development and growth of a wide range of competitive services in 
Europe, by ensuring that the conditions for access and use of public telecommunications 
networks and services are harmonised. This includes not just technical specifications, but such 
aspects as the conditions under which services are supplied, and tariff conditions. 
On 5 June 1992, the Council of Ministers adopted a Recommendation on the application of 
ONP to ISDN20, which seeks to strengthen the implementation of ISDN in the Community. 
Major features of the Recommendation are described below. 
1) Minimum set of offerings 
The Recommendation call for a ....nimum set of ISDN offerings to be made available in all MS. 
These offerings are divided into two categories, those which are to be made available by 
1 January 1994, and those which are to be provided as soon as the demand in an individual 
Member State justifies it. For this second category, target dates for the provision of the 
facilities have to be published. Tables 10 & 11 list the facilities in the two categories; those in 
Table 10 coincide with priority facilities in the ISDN MoU; those in Table 11 emerged as 
priorities during the consultation carried out by the Commission on the ISDN Analysis 
Report21. 
19 Council Directive 90/387/EEC of 28 June 1990 on the establishment of the internal market for 
telecommunications services through the implementation of open network provision (OJ No. L192, 24.07.90) 
20 OJNo. L200, 18.07.92, p. 10 
21 See ISDN 3rd annual report, section 5.1 
39-
Table 10: Offerings that should be available in all Member States by 1.1.94 
A CCESS ARRANGEMENTS Basic rate access (2B+D) at 
the S/T reference point; 
Primary rate access (30B+D) at 
the S/T reference point 
BEARER SERVICES Circuit mode 64 kbit/s 
unrestricted bearer service; 
Circuit mode 3.1 kHz 
audio bearer service 
SUPPLEMENTAR Y SER VICES Calling Line Identification Presentation 
(CLIP) 
Calling Line Identification Restriction 
(CLIR); 
Direct Dialling In (DDI) 
Multiple Subscriber Number 
(MSN); 
Terminal Portability (TP). 
TELESER VICES Telephony, 3.1 kHz. 
Table 11: Minimum set of ISDN Offerings, to be provided according to published target 
dates and the availability of international standards 
BEARER SERVICES 
SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES Circuit mode 64 kbit/s 
unrestricted bearer service 
on reserved or permanent mode; 
Packet mode bearer service 
provided over the B and/or D channels 
Call transfer services 
Call forwarding services 
Reverse charging; 
Freephone/green number 
Kiosk billing or equivalent features; 
Closed user group 
User to user signalling 
Malicious call identification 
40 
2) Additional offerings 
In addition to the offerings identified in Table 10 & 11, the recommendation seeks to ensure 
that certain other ISDN offerings, when provided, conform to European standards. Table 12 
lists the facilities in this category. 
Table 12: Additional offerings which may be implemented in accordance with progress in 
international standardisation 
SUPPLEMENTARY SER VICES Advice of charge (AOC) services; 
Number Identification services 
(COLP, COLR); 
Call waiting (CW); 
Completion of calls to 
busy subscribers (CCBS); 
Conference services; 
Sub addressing (SUB); 
Three party service (3PTY). 
Network management services 
3) Publication of information 
'Transparency' is one of the major principles of ONP, and the Recommendation calls for 
publication of a wide range of information for the user. This includes information about 
tariffs, technical characteristics, contractual conditions, supply and usage conditions, terminal 
attachment, and quality of service parameters. 
4) Quality of service 
The Recommendation calls for annual publication of quality of service statistics, starting in 
1994. The Commission has also given ETSI a mandate to develop definitions and measurement 
methods for a harmonised set of quality of service indicators suitable for ISDN. 
The target date for implementation of these harmonised quality of service parameters is 
1 January 1995, so that after this date comparison of the performance of different ISDN 
networks will be possible. 
-41-
5) 'One stop shopping' facilities 
A number of important user facilities require cooperation between network operators, and the 
Recommendation calls on Member States to encourage the following facilities, in consultation 
with users: 
a common ordering procedure for ISDN throughout the Community 
a one stop ordering procedure 
a one-stop-billing procedure 
a one-stop-maintenance procedure 
Other pan-European facilities include green numbers/freephone and kiosk billing (premium rate 
services). 
6) Tariffs 
ISDN tariffs are to be based on objective criteria, independent of the type of application 
implemented by the user where the same type of offering is used and in principle oriented 
towards cost. Offerings should be sufficiently unbundled, with each ISDN offering tariffed in 
principle on an individual basis, so that a user does not have to pay for facilities not required. 
7) Itemised Bil'mg 
Target dates are to be set for the provision of itemised billing, to be made available to users on 
request, and subject to technical feasibility. 
8) Oversight by the national regulatory authority 
The national regulatory authority (NRA) in each Member State is expected to exercise 
regulatory oversight of ISDN operators. Specifically this includes ensuring that there is no 
discrimination in the provision of ISDN offerings, checking usage conditions, approving tariff 
elements, and exercising control of ISDN numbering plans so as to ensure fair competition. 
They are also called upon to establish simple procedures for users to invoke with regard to 
difficulties encountered in relation to the application of the Recommendation. 
In addition to this recommendation on ONP/ISDN, the Commission has published a proposal 
for a directive on the application of ONP to voice telephony. The provisions of this directive 
will apply to ISDN when used for voice telephony, and for many telecommunications 
orgrnisations, ISDN will offer the best means of providing some of the features called for in 
this directive. 
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6:2 DATA PROTECTION AND USER PRIVACY 
The Commission will shortly submit a "Modified proposal for a Council Directive on the 
protection of personal data and privacy in the context of digital telecommunications networks, 
in particular the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and digital mobile networks". 
The initial proposal of a specific data protection directive for the ISDN was issued by the 
Commission in 1990 as part of a package of data protection measures and in particular 
alongside a proposal for a Directive on data protection in general.22 The Economic and Social 
Committee adopted its opinion on these proposals on 24 April 1991.23 In the framework of the 
cooperation procedure the European Parliament has on 11 March 1992 adopted a favourable 
opinion on both proposals for directives. 
An amended proposal for a general directive on the protection of personal data was presented 
by the Commission on the 15 October 1992.24) 
The proposed modified Directive on data protection in the ISDN will contain data protection 
provisions specific to the telecommunications sector. It will be complementary to the proposed 
general directive on data protection. 
For the purposes of the modified proposal the initial Commission proposal of 1990 will be 
substantially simplified. All redundancies with regard to the general directive will be removed 
and in addition, more flexible solutions introduced in a number of Articles. The new draft 
avoids where possible to impose specific technical solutions upon the Member States and leave: 
the greatest possible degree of freedom to the Member States for implementation. 
The main issues related to ISDN mat will have to be dealt with in the proposal are: 
1. Itemized Billing 
The amended proposal will establish the obligation to preserve the privacy of both calling users 
and called subscribers in itemized call statements. 
2. Calling line identification 
According to the Commission's proposal subscribers will have to have the possibility to ask for 
an elimination of the transmission of the subscriber number on a per-call basis and on a per-
line basis. Subscribers will also have to have the possibility to apply for permanent elimination 
of identification of all incoming calls. 
3. Call forwarding 
Calls will not have to be forwarded to a third party unless this party will have agreed to the 
forwarding and will be able to stop it. 
22 COM (90) 314 final, 13.9.90 
23 OJNoC159, 17.6.1991, p. 38 
24 Amended proposal for a Council Directive on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of 
personal data and on the free movement of such data, COM (92) 422 final, 15.10.92 
-43 
PROGRESS OF ISDN IN THE LESS FAVOURED REGIONS: STARf 
TELEMATIQUE AND FUTURE PLANS 
7.1 CONTRIBUTION OF THE STAR PROGRAMME IN THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF ISDN 
Star was a 5-year Community programme (1987-1991) with a total budget of approximately 
1455 million ECU, half of which was provided by the European Regional Development Fund. 
STAR'S objective was to give improved access to advanced telecommunications services to 
assist in the economic development of the less favoured regions of the Community. 
STAR aimed to develop basic infrastructure for advanced services and to promote the supply 
and demand for these services with a view to increasing the competitiveness of SMEs in 
developing areas of the Community. 
Several areas of STAR activity were relevant to the implementation of ISDN: 
infrastructure 
applications 
ISDN pilot networks 
a) Infrastructure 
STAR made a significant contribution to infrastructural development, thereby improving 
regional access to the major European networks. Acceleration of the digitalization of switching 
and transmission equipment, which is a prerequisite for the introduction of ISDN, was the 
central objective of STAR. 
In fact, all the "STAR" Member States had, even before STAR, planned the digitalization of 
their networks with priority given to the most developed regions. STAR, in boosting the 
investments for digitalization in the developing regions (increase of 5% to 10% due to STAR), 
helped to provide major digital links not only between these regions and the core of Europe, 
but also between the regions themselves. 
STAR thus contributed to a better balance in modern telecommunications infrastructure 
between the core areas and the peripheral regions of the Community (cohesion) with a view to 
preparing these regions for the "information technology era" and improving the 
competitiveness of their enterprises. 
The projects financed under STAR mainly concerned digitalization of local and trunk 
switching, transmission, signalling and synchronization. All these elements constitute the basic 
prerequisites for the introduction of ISDN.-
Some specific STAR actions: 
• International/inter-regional optical fibre or satellite: France (Corsica), Greece, Italy 
Ireland and Portugal ' 
• Acceleration of digitalization (switching and transmission): all countries 
• CCITT No 7 signalling: Ireland and Corsica 
• Networks synchronization: Ireland and study in Greece 
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b) Applications 
Various application projects were produced for and by SMEs through STAR, and a significant 
number of them were based on digital "bearer" services, often with a view to migrating to 
ISDN when it is more widely available in these regions. 
Examples in STAR 
• Tele-CAD/CAM and multimedia applications: Spain, Greece, Italy 
• Graphic data transfer applications: Portugal, Greece 
• Distance working applications: Ireland, Spain 
• Tele-action applications: Italy, Greece 
c) ISDN pilot networks 
Under STAR several countries set up ISDN trials. The objectives of these trials were to 
analyse market reactions to the new service and to draw up commercial recommendations. 
7.2 ERDF OPERATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
Most of these regional programmes in telecommunications deal with basic infrastructure. 
Guidance from DG XIII (Telecommunication Policy Directorate) has ensured that only digital 
equipment has been financed. 
7.3 TELEMATIQUE 
The TELEMATIQUE initiative adopted by the Commission in January 1991, is building on the 
achievements of STAR, specifically in the area of services, by encouraging the regional 
development of data communications through the funding of, notably, ISDN applications. The 
two-year operational phase runs until the end of 1993. 
Where countries have had an inadequate infrastructure in place, for example in Portugal, a 
limited amount of direct funding of the PNO's to improve ISDN access has been allowed, to 
facilitate the various public and private sector applications which have been proposed and 
which will ultimately run on ISDN. 
In other countries, the work of STAR-launched ISDN demonstration centres is being continued 
and even expanded to include broadband networking demonstrations. 
Finally, ISDN services demonstration projects are being run either on existing ISDN networks 
or on PNO trial networks. 
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7.4 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MOU ON ISDN IN THE LESS FAVOURED 
REGIONS 
The telecommunications operators are committed through the ISDN MoU to implement in their 
respective countries a minimum set of ISDN services and facilities. 
Developing regions should not be excluded from the scope of these commitments. 
Furthermore, assistance could be given to operators who are willing to invest in and operate 
ISDN services in these regions. 
Such assistance may be supported by current or future structural funds such as ERDF25, 
EAGGF-G, etc. 
7.5 FUTURE PLANS 
Both STAR and TELEMATIQUE emphasise the role of advanced telecommunication systems 
in the harmonised development of the EC's regions by supporting regional actions toward, 
notably, the implementation of a "pan-regional" EURO-ISDN. 
In the light of the evaluation of STAR, currently nearing completion, and of appropriate studies 
in the field, future actions initiated either by the Member States or the Commission will aim to 
continue the improvement of Community cohesion in the field of telecommunications, 
particularly through an accelerated introduction of the European ISDN (infrastructure and 
applications). 
Reference is made to the 'Review 92' in which it is estimated that in the order of 40 BECU 
will be required for upgrading (to reach the level of the developed regions) the 
telecommunications infrastructure in the LFR's until the year 2000. 
25 European Regional Development Fund 
-46-
ISDN DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY 
This Section provides some information on the development of ISDN in the EFTA countries, in 
the U.S. and in Japan. 
8.1 ISDN IN THE EFTA COUNTRIES 
Full ISDN interconnectivity between EC and EFTA countries with commercial offerings is' 
provided. The five countries mentioned already have the harmonised international signalling 
proposal ISUP. V. 1. 
This implies that those countries have benefited from the introduction of EURO-ISDN during 
the same period as the EC Member States (during 1993) and their offerings are aligned with 
those in the EC. 
In 1992 commercial ISDN offerings existed in Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden. 
Austria has followed from the beginning of 1993. Switzerland has already achieved a full 
geographical coverage. Austria and Norway plan for the year 1995 for complete coverage. For 
Sweden the year 2000 is indicated. 
With the exception of Iceland all operators from the other EFTA countries have signed the 
MoU on ISDN (please refer to Chapter 4). 
8.2 ISDN IN THE IIS. 
The initial development of ISDN in the U.S. in terms of commitment of the players for a 
nation-wide deployment and harmonised interoperable equipment was difficult. 
Until the beginning of the nineties there were doubts concerning the commitment of the 
RBOC's for full introduction of ISDN. 
ISDN was developed in a little coordinated manner by the various carriers, aggravated by the 
diverging interests between the RBOC's and AT&T (the AT&T by-pass versus the RBOC's 
CENTREX). Roughly until 1990 the ISDN offerings offered by the Local Exchange Carriers 
(LEC) have not been interconnected via the networks of the interexchange carriers aECVso 
called ISDN -Islands). i"*wv** 
Moreover, AT&T has a lot of Signalling System No.6 installed which is not suited to support 
ISDN and hence, country-wide ISDN interconnectivity is only possible when SS7 ubiauitv is 
achieved. n J 
Pushed by the switch manufacturers present on the North American market, the carries have 
during 1991 agreed on the National ISDN ONE (N-l), (see Annex 3 for more details on N-l), 
a kind of programme of coordinated introduction of ISDN services and facilities (to be 
followed by N-2, N-3) comparable with the efforts on coordination started in Europe around 
1984. * 
N-l consists only of one of the two ISDN access types, viz, the Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and 
a number of supplementary services. 
-47-
The basic call procedures of N-l are based on the ANSI specs. (ANS 605), (there is one 
important exception, the automatic initialisation) while ANSI has no specs, on supplementary 
services. 
In principle the N-l specs, are prepared by BellCore and have received "the blessing" of the 
North American ISDN User Forum (NIUF). 
The Department of Commerce (of which NIST is an affiliation) refers to these NTUF-approved 
specs, as FIPS26 (i.e., to be used in the context of public procurements). 
8.3 ISDN IN JAPAN 
Commercial ISDN services are offered by NTT since April 1988. 
End of 1993, NTT counted 210.000 BRAs and 4.500 PRAs. NTT's BRA is the 64kbit/s 
version while PRA is the 23B + D version with 1.5 Mbit/s (Europe uses-the 2Mbit/s version). 
KDD is responsible for international ISDN services firstly opened in June 1989 (to Hong. 
Kong). KDD offers also subscriber accesses for direct access to the international network. 
With regard to the PRA, KDD offers both 1.5 Mbit/s and 2Mbit/s. 
First international ISDN connections with Europe were opened in April 1990 with France. 
Meanwhile all European countries with an ISDN offering are connected to Japan. 
The Japanese ISDN is homogeneous, given that domestic services are offered by NTT. NTT's 
ISDN is based on the TTC standards with some additional NTT specificities. 
Also, some of the "New Common Carriers" (NCC's) started ISDN offerings including 
international services. Annex 4 provides some further information on ISDN in Japan. 
Japan has an very active "scene" for the promotion of compatible ISDN services. The 
"Conference of the Harmonization of Advanced Telecommunications Systems" (HATS) and the 
"Foundation for Promotion of Telecommunications Services" are the most important entities in 
this respect. 
26 Federal Information Processing Standards 
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INITIATIVES AND NEW PROPOSALS 
This Chapter reports on the progress of initiatives contained in earlier Annual ISDN Progress 
Reports and on a "EURO-ISDN Inauguration Event, EURIE '93 \ 
9.1 EUROPEAN ISDN USER FORUM (EIUF) 
EIUF has meanwhile developed in a widely recognised "voice" in the discussion of the shaping 
of the ISDN development in Europe. 
Created on 21 September 1990, EIUF has successfully organised six Plenary Meetings, the 
main event of EIUF. While the first four meetings have been organised in Brussels, the Plenary 
Meetings are now held in major cities in different European countries. 
A steady increase in the number of participants and the percentage of users is attracted by these 
events. 
Major topics of the last meeting included: 
ISDN and multi-media applications; 
networking issues; 
security; 
business aspects of ISDN 
a.o.m. 
The structure of the meetings is organised in a way that the discussions are based on User-
input. Most of the time during the Plenaries is dedicated to Work Shops which are the nucleus 
for the establishment of EIUF Position Papers. 
Several Position Papers on issues like EuroFileTransfer, User/Network-Interfaces, Multi-
Functional PC-based ISDN Terminal a.o.m. have been adopted during the last Plenaries of 
EIUF and are forwarded to other organisations like ETSI. 
Owing to the growing size and impact of EIUF, the need to stabilize the organisational basis of 
EIUF was recognised. It is therefore discussed to turn EIUF into an entity with legal 
personality (eg. a non-profit-making association ace. to Belgian law). 
The address of EIUF is found in Annex 1. 
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9.2 EC - JAPAN ISDN INTERCONNRCTION EXPERIMENT (EJDO 
The improvement of the interoperability of world-wide communications using ISDN is the 
objective of the EJIX. 
The proposal for such an experiment has been agreed in the Network Working Group, a sub 
group of the annual EC - Japan Plenary Meetings in telecommunications. 
With the direct support from the manufacturing and operating industry in Europe a first series 
of tests was carried out successfully on 5 February 1993. At current, a comparative analysis of 
relevant European and Japanese standards are carried out. 
Further tests, with extended industry participation, are planned for the beginning of 1994. 
9.3 EURO-ISDN EVENT (EURIE 93s) 
Raising the awareness of the public at large about the introduction of the new European-wide 
general telecommunications infrastructure EURO-ISDN was the objective of this proposal. 
The event was held in 60 cities on 14-16 December 1993 and was supported by 22 EURO-
ISDN operators, by manufacturers and by the Commission. 
All participating operators organised 75 ISDN showrooms where various applications were 
demonstrated. A key aspect was the ISDN-interconnectivity between all sites. 
The compatible working of four services, 
videophony, 
facsimile group 4, 
EuroFile Transfer and 
7 kHz telephone 
betweeo the sites was shown to the 25 000 visitors. 
Seminars and conferences were organised alongside with the exhibitions. 
Beside these "distributed" events, a central opening ceremony was held in Brussels on 
14 December 1993. Main purpose of this event in Brussels was the information of the media. 
EURIE *93 had a very positive echo in the press. 
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9.4 ISDN AS TRANS-EUROPEAN NETWORK 
At the issue of 3rd Annual ISDN Progress Report the Council has adopted a Resolution "On 
the development of ISDN in the Community as a European-wide telecommunications 
infrastructure for 1993 and beyond". 
In this Resolution the Council stresses the importance of developing ISDN in the context of 
trans-European networks (TEN). 
Following the political agreement reached on the Treaty of the European Union, the 
Commission has decided to start the elaboration of proposals for the development of TEN 
concerning three telecommunications aspects: 
telematic networks between administrations; 
- ISDN and 
Integrated Broadband Communications (IBC). 
For the preparation of the proposal concerning ISDN a Working Group with participation from 
the PNO's and also from the Member States was established and. a report summarises the 
results of the discussion in this group. 
The group has achieved a broad consensus on a framework of potential measures in favour of 
ISDN which fully reflects the principle of subsidiarity. 
Subsequendy, the Commission has converted the essence of this report into a Communication 
to the Council and into two proposals for Council Decisions which will establish a legal basis 
for the commitments connected to the implementation of the TEN-ISDN proposals. The first 
proposed decision defined a series of guidelines including the objectives, priorities and 
breadline of measures for the development of ISDN as TEN. 
In the second proposal for a Council Decision the possible Community contribution for projects 
of common interest which are eligible under the guidelines is described. 
The Commission has approved these proposals on 1.9.93. Support under TEN will promote 
ISDN projects fully in line with EURO-ISDN requirements. 
The Commission will also explore and contribute to a maximisation of potential synergy effects 
between the Telematic Networks between Administrations (TNA)27 and ISDN in 
interconnecting where feasible TNA applications via EURO - ISDN. Dedicated feasibility 
studies will be conducted to this end. 
After having been adopted by the Commission, the proposals for TEN - ISDN were forwarded 
to the Council and the European Parliament under the Belgian Presidency. 
27 COM (93) 69 final, 12.09.93 
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9.5 EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS FROM OTHER PROGRAMMES 
With the increasing availability of ISDN in Europe, a number of projects in Research, 
Development and Technology (RD&T) actions in the Commission of the European 
Communities, Directorate-General XIII (DG XIII), plan to use, or are already using ISDN for 
interconnecting their applications. 
Promotion for ISDN application is provided within a number of Research Programmes of the 
Community like RACE and ESPRIT but also by other projects like ENS (European Nervous 
System) or other telematic programmes. 
Annex 5 provides an overview of ISDN related projects from those other activities. Furthef 
information on those projects can be obtained from the Commission. 
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10 CONCLUSIONS 
Since the preceding report (issued on 26.11.1991) five further operators have been added to the 
list of those with commercially available ISDN offerings. Only Greece and Luxembourg are 
still missing. 
A large variety of ISDN terminals and applications are now available and these products have 
matured considerably. 
The standardisation, for EURO-ISDN (with the exception of some test and type approval 
standards) were completed by the end of 1992 by ETSI. ETSI has a leading position in the 
world-wide ISDN standardisation. 
The Council in its Resolution from 05 June 1992 has given further guidance for the 
development of ISDN in the Community and ISDN will be developed as trans-European 
network. 
With a steadily increasing appearance of alternative types of networks (eg. new technologies 
for corporate networks) ISDN technology faces more competition. 
The further success of ISDN will depend on the possibility to continue the general deployment 
of ISDN under stable and long-term predictable conditions. 
This implies long-term investments for which the financial stability of the investors must be 
maintained. Otherwise, the objective of a general coverage cannot be achieved. 
A general roll-out of ISDN in the Member States is a priority of the Community's 
telecommunications policy. Beyond the mere roll-out of the physical infrastructure, the 
promotion of European - wide compatible basic services is an urgent requirement. The co­
ordinated introduction of EURO- ISDN requires the co-operation of the concerned sector 
actors. The Commission supports the co-operation necessary for a harmonised introduction of 
EURO - ISDN offerings including for basic services (e.g the one's mentioned in the proposal 
for a Council Decision28). Notably, projects of common interest in the frame work of the 
envisaged Community - action TEN - ISDN should be based on joint proposals from the sector 
actors. 
Given the infrastructural nature of ISDN, ISDN has been included into the Council Resolution 
.on a "Universal Service". 
Cordless accesses and the offering of virtual private networks via EURO-ISDN are other main 
requirements. 
VPN means a software defined network allowing to specify, for example, own numbering plans 
for closed user groups on the basis of a given physical network (e.g. ISDN). 
28 COM (93) 347/2, 01.09.93 
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This report has been prepared by the Commission of the European Communities and will be 
submitted to the Council and the European Parliament. 
A major goal as defined in the MoU for ISDN has been reached with the launch of EURO-
ISDN in the end of 1993. At the same time a new phase in the development of ISDN was 
started; the phase of the full deployment of EURO-ISDN and the further development of the set 
of services. 
Therefore, the Commission proposes that the public network operators continue their work in 
the framework of IMIMG. The Community will intensify its support for the continuation of the 
development of EURO-ISDN in the framework of the TEN-ISDN action. 
sH 
ANNEX 1 
ETSI Secretariat 
Official Address: Route des Lucioles 
Sophia Antipolis 
F-06560 Valbonne 
Postal Address: 
Telephone: 
Telefax: ETSI 
B.P. 152 
F-06560 Valbonne-Cedex 
+33.92.94 42 00 
+33.93.65 47 16 
+33.93.65 28 17 
EIUF Secretariat 
Postal Address: 
Telephone: 
ISDN: 
Telefax: EIUF Secretariat 
CEC, DG XIH/A/3 
BU9 6/132 
Rue de la Loi 200 
B-1049 Brussels 
+32.2.29 68 628 
+32.2.29 68 627 
+32.2.921 01 22 
+32.2.29 61 740 
ANNEX 2 ^ ° 
Bearer Services 
Circuit-mode 64 kbit/s unrestricted * 
Circuit-mode 3,1 kHz audio * 
Packet-mode (X.31 case B) B- and D-channel 
Circuit-mode speech 
Teleservices 
Telephony 3,1 kHz 
Facsimile group 4 class 1 
Télétex 
Telephony 7 kHz 
Syntax-based videotex 
Videotelephony 
Supplementary Services 
Calling Line Identification Presentation (CLIP) * 
Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) * 
Direct Dialling In (DDI) * 
Multiple Subscriber Number (MSN) * 
Terminal Portability (TP) * 
Call Waiting (CW) 
Completion of Calls to Busy Subscriber (CCBS) 
Closed User Group (CUG) 
User-to-User Signalling (UUS) 
Subaddressing (SUB) 
Three Party (3PTY) 
Advice of Charge (AOC) 
Connected Line Identification Presentation (COLP) 
Connected Line Identification Restriction (COLR) 
Malicious Call Identification (MCID) 
Add On Conference Call (CONF) 
Meet Me Conference (MMC) 
Freephone (FPH) 
Explicit Call Transfer (ECT) 
Call Forwarding Busy (CFB) 
Call Forwarding No Reply (CFNR) 
Call Forwarding Unconditional (CFU) 
Call Deflection (CD) 
Call Hold (HOLD) 
Basic access and Primary rate access user-network interfaces 
ISDN interconnection interfaces for the services identified above 
End-to-end protocols for the services mentioned above 
Network capabilities for the services mentioned above 
S G 
ANNEX 3 
SUMMARY DEFINITION OF NATIONAL ISDN-1 
National ISDN-1 is defined in detail in Special Report SR-NWT-001937, in terms of Bellcore 
Technical References (TRs) and other specifications. The following features characterize 
National ISDN-1: 
o A standard network interface comprising control of interoffice calls, including 
support of the SS7 protocol and procedures, and call routing 
o Protocol portability for Basic Rate Access 
« Support of single-user configuration with multiple applications on a single 2B + 
D interface 
« Support of single interface sharing by two users, with possible restriction of each 
user to a single B channel, or restriction to one user with access to a single B 
channel 
° Access to select analog POTS and Centrex features 
o Support of Primary Rate Access (vendor specific implementations) 
» Initial operations support 
o Selected basic subfeatures for the following supplementary services: 
- Call Forwarding (voice & circuit switched data-CSD) 
- Automatic Callback (voice) 
- Call Hold (voice & CSD) 
- Additional Call Offering (voice & CSD) 
- Flexible Calling (voice) 
- Calling Number Identification Services (voice & CSD) 
- Message Service (voice & CSD) 
- Display Service (voice & CSD) 
- Electronic Key Telephone Service (voice) 
- Multiline Hunt Groups (voice & CSD) 
- Business Group Dial Access Features (voice & CSD) 
- Call Pick-up (voice) 
- Station Message Detail Recording (vendor specific) 
° Standard recording to support billing for the following ISDN 
capabilities and services: 
- Basic call control 
- Signaling capabilities 
- Basic Business Group 
- Calling Number Delivery 
CURRENT STATUS OF NTT'S ISDN SERVICES (Jan.-93) > z 2 m x 
1 The number of accès lines (Jan. 1993) 
• Basic Rate Access (INS-64 service) 
• Primary Rate Access (INS-1500 service) 14 1,644 lines 
2,816 lines 
2 Applications 
• Basic Rate Access 
Primary Rate Access Leased circuit back up 
LAN interconnection 
Remote security surveillance system 
Consumer clinic system, etc. 
Leased circuit back up 
LAN interconnection 
CAD/CAM communication system 
Video conference system, etc. V 
CURRENT STATUS OF KDD'S ISDN SERVICES 
1 Number of access lines (Dec. 1992) 
• Basic Rate Access 
• Primary Rate Access > 
2 2 m x 
rj 
1,387 lines 
6 3 lines 
International ISDN 
USA, UK 
Singapore 
Australia 
France 
Italy, Vatican, San Marino 
Hong Kong, Germany, Belgium 
Spain 
Netherlands 
Sweden 
Switzerland, Liechtenstein 
Denmark, New Zealand 
S3 
ANNEX S 
ISDN related projects of the Community 
1. ENS 
In the European Nervous System (ENS) programme projects plan to use ISDN for telematic 
services relating to environmental issues, cross-border postal functions and standardization. 
CAPE (E2004), 
proposing ISDN communications on a national basis. 
ENVIRONET (E2008),. 
envisaging to consider ISDN in complementarity with other telecommunication services 
(Telephony with modems, X.25, X.400) in the pending specified requirements. 
RISE (E2012), 
implementing two experiments with Euro-ISDN 
- for VSAT distribution (RISE-Pilotl), an ISDN connection is used to feed the Hub (Paris, F) 
from the information providers premises, ETSI (Nice, F) in the first step and then every 
National Standard Organisations, two tests will be implemented 
* on Numéris (French ISDN) with the following protocols: ISDN, TCP/IP, FTP, Pathworks 
(Digital proprietary software), 
* between German and Dutch ISDN with the following protocols: ISDN, OSI stack with 
DTAM, 
The results of these two tests will be taken into account to be integrated inside the detailed 
specifications of this Pilot2. 
2. DELTA 
Aim of the Developing European Learning through Technical Advance (DELTA) programme 
is to stimulate incremental research and development which will enable new technologies to be 
incorporated in the tools and infrastructure supporting advanced learning, in particular open 
and distance learning, in the Community. A number of projects are looking at ISDN as a basic 
carrier service for various training-related applications. These applications can be split into the 
following classes: video-conferencing (1), audio-conferencing (2), file-transfer (3), 
transaction-oriented (4) applications. 
Project name 1 2 3 4 
SMILE (D2002) no yes yes no 
DEDICATED (D2014) no no yes no 
CO-LEARN (D2005) no yes yes no 
MALIBU (D2013) yes no no yes 
ACT (D2020) yes yes yes yes 
MTS (D2021) yes yes yes yes 
ECOLE (D2004) no no yes yes 
JANUS (D2003) no no yes yes 
JITOL(D1015) no no yes yes 
OSCAR (D2Ô06) no no yes yes 
COSYS(D2011) no no yes yes 
EAST (D2016) no no yes yes 
MATHESIS (D2009) no no yes no 
More detailed explanation is available on request. 
éo 
3. AIM 
The Advanced Informatics in Medicine (AIM) programme is a pre-competitive/pre-normative 
R&D programme which is designed to develop new technology, specifically information and 
communications technologies, and to bring benefits from these developments into Medicine 
and Health Care, in order to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of the services 
provided and to strengthen the competitiveness of the European I&CT industry. For twelve 
projects the usage of ISDN is considered, subject to its availability and a reasonable cost 
level. 
EMDIS (A2006), 
interconnection of 12 national transplant registries. 
EPIC (A2007), 
general surveillance of house bound people. 
DILEMMA (A2005). 
pediatric ontology (related to laboratory flow, realtime requirements between laboratory and 
clinics). 
ISSAAC (A2013), 
ISDN between hospital and general practitioners to transmit referral notes, hospital discharge 
notes, laboratory results and imaging data as well. 
ESTEEM (A2010), 
exchange of EMG between the physicians and expert systems (no real-time requirements). 
GEHR (A2014), PROCAS (A2003), 
exchanging alpha-numeric data in the shortest possible time between physicians and hospital. 
EURIPACS (A2009), 
image "mail-box" service between hospitals of different kinds, specialists and General 
Practitioners. 
FEST(A2011), 
services in telemedicine. 
OEDIPE (A2026), 
data intercharge and processing for electrocardiography 
IMPACT (A2017), 
interactive telepathology, teleconsultation, transfer of images between two pathological 
laboratories on almost real-time. Decision on carcinoma during the operation of patient. 
SHINE (A2035), 
investigation for the most effective application of telematic services for Regional Health Care. 
en 
4. LIBRARY 
A certain attention is given to ISDN in the LIBRARY programme mainly in connection with 
interconnection of and access to image banks of libraries. For the access to information 
services and the transfer of information some use of ISDN is also envisaged. 
EDIL (1042), 
intends to use ISDN at least in France, perhaps in connection with UK. 
JUKEBOX (1049), 
only if international connections are available, otherwise research networks. 
ELISE (1008), 
establishing full colour image banks of library materials (slides, maps) will develop 
specifications and model for international (FR, UK, NL) interconnection via ISDN. 
VANEYCK (1054). 
interconnection image banks Art Photographic libraries through ISDN network, development 
of network under Research into Advanced Communications technologies for Europe (RACE) 
project RAMA (R2043). First ISDN links between UK-NL, later in project between UK-NL-
IRL. 
5. ESPRIT 
Also the usage of ISDN in the domain of business systems and house automation under the 
European Strategic Programme for Research and development in Information Technology 
(ESPRIT) programme is worthwhile to be mentioned. Here, the usage of ISDN is foreseen in 
several projects to enable pilot experiments. 
Aim of ESPRIT is to improve the competitiveness of the microelectronics industrial sector so 
as to enable it to provide the IT industry with full systems capability based on the state of the 
art semiconductor technology. 
6. TEDIS 
Under the umbrella of the telecommunications actions of its phase H, the Trade Electronic 
Data Interchange System (TEDIS) programme has awarded a study on "EDI & ISDN" as a 
result of its last call for proposals to the Danish consultancy firm Fisher & Lorenz with 
XCOMS Int'l from Belgium as a subcontractor. 
The awaited results are a prioritized list of new forms of EDI which can benefit of ISDN, 
taking economic and operational considerations into account and a rational of the applicability 
of TEDIS sponsored One Stop Shop concept to the commercial interconnection of ISDNs in 
Europe. 
7. RACE 
Research and development in Advanced Communications technologies for Europe (RACE). 
Aim of RACE is to promote the competitiveness of the Community's telecommunications 
industry, operators and service providers in order to make available to final users the services 
which will sustain the competitiveness of the European economy and contribute to maintaining 
and creating employment in Europe. 
&z 
ANNEX 6 
GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS 
Addressing 
"B"-channel 
Basic access 
Bearer Service 
Bit rate 
Calling Line Identification 
ccnT 
CCITT Blue Book 
CEPT 
"D"-channel 
ETS 
ETSI 
GAP The process by which a calling user indicates the 
identity of the called user on a particular call. It 
includes a network addressing (numbering) component 
to identify the called user-network interface and may 
include further information (sub-address) to identify a 
particular terminal beyond the public network. 
For user-to-user information transport. 
Physical interface structure available at S or T 
reference point: 2x64 kbit/s "B" channels and 1x16 
kbit/s "D" channel. In some configurations S and T 
reference points are joined. 
A type of telecommunications service that provides the 
capability for the transmission of signals between user 
network interfaces. 
Number of bits (units of messages) transmitted per 
second. 
Indicates the identification of the calling user line. 
International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative 
Committee (ITU). 
Series of CCITT publications due to be adopted by the 
CCrTT Plenary Assembly in 1988, in Melbourne. 
European Conference of Postal 
Telecommunications Administrations and 
For user-to-user and user-network signalling 
information transport 
European Telecommunications Standard 
European Telecommunications Standards Institute, 
established in March 1988 and located in Sophia-
Ant ipo I is near Nice 
Analysis and Forecasting Group (subgroup of SOGT). 
Issued a report on ISDN in 1985 as a basis for the 
Council Recommendation. 
63 
Green Paper 
ISDN 
ISPBX 
ISUP or ISDN-UP 
NET 
Numbering 
ONP 
Primary access 
PSPDN 
Quadripartite Collaboration 
Reference Point 
Signalling System N° 7 
SOGT 
S/T reference Point 
TUP 
TUP+ Green Paper on the Development of the Common 
Market for Telecommunications Services and 
Equipment [COM(87)290], published in June 1987. 
Outlines the Commission's position on the 
development of the Community's telecommunications 
policy and the proposals to reach the 1992 target in 
this sector, including required regulatory change at EC 
level. 
Integrated Services Digital Network 
private Automatic Branch Exchange for Integrated 
Services 
ISDN User Part = part of the N° 7 signalling systems 
allowing ISDN facilities. 
("Normes Européennes des Télécommunications") 
an approved technical specification recommendation 
see "Addressing" 
Open Network Provision, concept for the definition of 
general requirements for the use of the 
Telecommunications Administrations' network 
infrastructure and/or services including technical 
interfaces, tariff principles and conditions of use. 
Physical interface at T reference point 
Packet Switched Public Data Network 
Close collaboration for the co-ordinated introduction 
of ISDN between the Telecommunications 
Administrations of France, FRG, Italy and UK 
A conceptual point at the conjunction of functional 
groups of the telecommunications network 
The new CCITT system allowing two switching 
centres to exchange information, e.g. information 
needed for establishing a telephone call 
Senior Officials Group on Telecommunications (EEC) 
Possible location of access for Bearer Services 
supported by an ISDN 
Telephone User Part = part of the N° 7 signalling 
system allowing telephony 
Extended TUP, allowing in addition to traditional 
telephony use of a 64 kbit/s bearer service. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (94) 81 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-090-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-66313-8 
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