Next-Generation Network Services

Chapter 8. Wireline Networks

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Narrowband—Squeezing Voice and Data

• Broadband—Pushing Technology to the Edge

One phone company, one type of phone, one service (talk), and per-minute rates—for well over 120 years residential wireline has been a narrowband world. The 1876 invention of the telephone spawned a massive communications utility that emanated like spider webs of wood and wire. An abundant resource of copper and trees were mined and harvested for use as an electrical signal distribution system, which came to be known publicly as telephone lines and telephone poles.

Copper wire was the first way to communicate over great distance effectively, and through these webs of wood and wires the first telephone ...