Intelligent Networks and TINA Service Models - Present and Future

Abstract

The goal of Intelligent Networks (IN) is to define a set of telephony functionalities additional to the classical telephone switching architecture to provide new services in a quick and flexible way. These new IN features encompass efficient use and modularization of network resources. They also encompass flexible and rapid service creation, implementation and delivery using standard IN functions and standardized network communication.In parallel to the phased specification of IN, the telecommunication world is developing new technologies (GSM, ATM, TMN). In addition, the computing world is developing object orientation, code reuse and distributed computing environment. Based on the latest advances in both the telecommunication and the computing worlds, the Telecommunication Information Networking Architecture (TINA) has been developed since 1993. While the basic goals of TINA are quite similar to those of IN, additional advantages among which network and technology independence, faster service creation, deployment, delivery, operation and maintenance. TINA also offers unique access for all kinds of services, common approach for services and their management, support of multi-stakeholder environment, which provide TINA with a more flexible approach.This paper analyzes IN and TINA service models through a UPT service example. The evolution of IN capability sets is then briefly described. The paper closes with coexistence scenarios between IN and TINA.KeywordsTINAINCallSession