ATM: ready for the marketplace?

It is argued despite its designation as the long-term target transport mode, parameter specifications for ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) have been driven by near-term considerations: in Europe, by the question of compatibility with the existing public network, although voice communications would clearly be a minor service in the presence of most video services: and in North America, by the apparent desire for B-ISDNs to be carriers of connectionless data between local and metropolitan area networks. If it is accepted that for better or for worse, ATM is here to stay, at least in the standards arena, then it must be ensured that the following occur: an international consensus must be reached on ATM system parameters (i.e. cell size, header functionality, etc.), on admission and congestion control techniques, etc.; long-term interests of the telecommunications industry must be reflected in today´s standards´ developments; and migration strategies must maintain grade-of-service requirements for existing services such as voice