The impact of a synchronous digital network on the end-user

The authors describe the present situation with respect to SONET (synchronous optical network). They describe the reasons for the SONET pull and delineate end-user SONET impact. It is pointed out that the high-speed synchronous digital transmission standards will allow for open interface network architectures that fit well with the desire for transport and signal manipulation for these emerging new broadband offerings. Such interfaces allow for the realization of new public network capabilities and services that heretofore have not been possible. In particular, synchronous digital networking allows for high-speed transmission, error-free bandwidth manipulation, and switching of DSO, DS1, DS3, and 150 Mb/s signals