ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents an analysis of the history and of the status of telecommunication market, so as to be able to derive requirements for the network evolution from market trends. It provides general overview of the networking techniques and examines techniques in the telecommunication field that will shape the long-term network evolution. The book offers critical help in the decision process and could well become a working instrument for technical and marketing managers. The designer, who can have a global idea of new technologies so as to channelize his or her work in the most suitable direction and to make design choices having a complete view of the possible alternatives. The industry manager, who can have a clear and complete idea of the helping him to consider correctly key elements that are at the edge of his or her core area of competence.
