By measured they most likely are referring to the fact that N-ISDN (N = narrowband) is a service that is built on the infrastructure of the switched PSTN, meaning that it uses Class 5 switching (e.g., 5E by LU or DMS by NT), and all of the automated accounting functions associated with any "normal" voice call, which usually entails measuring how long it lasts. It measures how long you are connected, and then bills you accordingly.
But to say that it is "by definition" measured is a bit misleading, IMO, because the provider has the ability to electively, or contractually give you free, or one-time or monthly flat fee, or just about any other form of billing treatment they elect, or that you ask for on a one-of-a-kind basis. Of course, this depends on your ability to negotiate and come to terms with the SP. But they have these capabilities based on their ability to configure and administer the service under software control.
As a residential user, you get the defaults that are simplest to administer. But in large businesses all kinds of custom service and billing arrangements routinely take place, for special forms of business applications. And yes, they are usually measured.
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BTW, it's a pleasure to see you here, Impristine! Perhaps you will grace us with some poetry every now and then, exposing the nebulae of the 'Net, for what it is.
Frank |
