The integrated services digital network (ISDN): economic and policy issues

Some fundamental policy issues that will influence the rate and direction of implementation of ISDN within a changing national and global telecommunication environment are examined. Additional criteria that ISDN must satisfy before it becomes a proven technology are indicated, together with additional constraints and potential problems. It is argued that if those involved in the technical design of ISDN are fully aware of telecommunication policy objectives, the technical design lf ISDN may be able to evolve in directions that will both improve the future of ISDN and assist in meeting policy objectives more effectively.>