Stephen, thanks for the helpful diagrams and article. I agree that this will (does?) all exist as you describe. The scenario I'm interested to explore though is one where voice traffic is carried over the data connection (and in particular, how this could become rich, data-enhanced, voice).
On a higher level, what I'm asking is NOT: "how do existing voice and video services migrate most easily, and without loss of quality, to the new infrastructure", but rather "what are the new, compelling, applications and devices that integrate voice and data, and what is the infrastructure required to support them".
I'm imagining a device (possibly connected via some software on the PC) that 'knows' the IP address of its ITSP - which effectively would be the local exchange as well in this model. That 'exchange' would also need to have both IP AND PSTN interfaces (ie in both of those two - or even three - clouds on the left of your picture), so that the POTS infrastructure in the home would work too.
So, there are two kinds of conversation I'd be interested to continue with you, Frank, and others.
- what might these compelling integrated applications look like, from the user's point of view, and..
- what are the key pieces of enabling technology and infrastructure, (and how close are they to technical and economic feasability)
I have some more specific thoughts and questions on both of these, but I'll leave that to another post.
- Roger. |
