Vb5: an ATM based broadband access network (BAN)-broadband local exchange (BLE) interface

The broadband integrated services digital network (BISDN) will become the ubiquitous network of the future, which will be required to support a wide range and complex set of services to the end user. In order for a network operator to provide a full service network to all its customers it will be necessary to provide the full range of broadband ISDN services to end users connected to the broadband local exchange (BLE) via a broadband access network (BAN) which will replace part or the whole of the local line distribution network. To ensure that the full range of services can be delivered by the BAN to the end users in a consistent and correct manner, the Council of the European Commission (CEC) have given the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) a mandate to define an ATM (i.e. cell) based interface between the BAN and BLE which will be called V_b5. The ETSI have produced a technical requirement which will form the framework for the detailed specification of V_b5. V_b5 shall be capable of supporting narrowband services, symmetrical and asymmetric broadband services and broadcast services. The paper describes the major capabilities and features of the V_b5 interface by focusing on the general architecture, service architecture, protocol stack and BAN/BLE configurations. The paper recommends that the narrowband stepping stones of V5.1 and V5.2 are progressively rolled out into the network to lay the foundations for the support of V_b5 and to build operational experience in the support of V5 interfaces