It is no longer necessary to use dedicated lines to gain the benefits of digital speeds or connectivity. The flow of digital information now begins at the user's desktop, and links it to the desktops of users around the world.

From voice and data, to complex images, full-color video and stereo quality sound, all are transmitted with digital speed and accuracy through what is now a totally digital network.

ISDN replaces today's slow modem technology with speeds of up to 128 Kbps (kilobits per second) before compression. With compression, users in many applications today can achieve throughput speeds of from 256 Kbps to more than 1,024 Kbps – more than a megabit per second.

Digital lines are almost totally error free, which means that the slowdowns and errors typically encountered in today's modern transmissions are no longer a problem.

A single ISDN line can serve as many as eight devices – digital telephones, facsimiles, desktop computers, video units and much more. Each device, in turn, can be assigned its own telephone number, so that incoming calls can be routed directly to the appropriate device.

Any two of these devices can be in use at the same time for voice or data transmissions, and the lines can also be combined for higher data speeds. In addition, an almost unlimited number of lower-speed data transmissions -for email, credit card authorization, etc.- can go on at the same time.

In most cases, the same copper wires used today for what is typically called plain old telephone service can be used successfully for ISDN. This means most homes and offices are ISDN-ready today.

Often overlooked in the excitement of faster, more accurate data transmissions is the fact ISDN represents the next generation of voice telephone service. It offers absolutely quiet, clear worldwide conversations every time plus a host of powerful call management and call handling capabilities.

ISDN lines can be connected, interworked to virtually every other voice, data and packet network in the world – from a voice call across the street, to a private terminal in a remote corner of the world, in short, a faster, better, more economical way to communicate.

ISDN Benefits

Efficiency

ISDN can replace multiple voice, fax and modem lines – supporting data, voice, video, audio and image applications...individually or simultaneously. As many as eight devices can share a single ISDN line.

Connectivity

Network protocols and hardware standards agreed upon worldwide support border-free, global communications – enabling you to share all kinds of information with anyone, anytime, anywhere.

Availability

ISDN functions on standard telephone lines and fiber optic circuits. The technology is both widely deployed and cost-effective.

Economy

ISDN is provided over the public switched network, which gives you flexible service on a dial-up basis. That makes ISDN an excellent alternative to costly dedicated lines or multiple dial-up lines for voice, data, fax and Internet access. You get the functionality of two tele-phone lines at a comparable price. In addition, a single line can have multiple telephone numbers, and ISDN comes with enhanced voice features – such as, speed-calling, 3-way conferencing, call forwarding and calling number ID – built right in at no extra charge.

Speed and accuracy

ISDN can run four to eight times faster than a standard, 28.8 Kbps modem, and speeds are scalable – from 64 Kbps all the way up to 230 Kbps using compression. The digital ISDN signal is pure and error-free, with no line noise to slow or drop connections.

Signal quality

ISDN digital transport supports near broadcast-quality video and CD-quality audio.