MAX project approach to multiservice business communications

Abstract

ESPRIT Project 2100 'Metropolitan Area Communication System (MAX)' aims at an effective solution to meet the communication requirements of heterogeneous business user over large (e.g. metropolitan) areas with a high concentration of information-based organizations. Major objectives of the project regard the definition, design, prototype development and testing of an integrated communication system for the flexible provision of data, video services and applications. The paper highlights these issues, outlines the basic technical choices and emphasizes the project rationale and scope, i.e. market opportunities for viable products and services, policy towards standards and compatibility with related developments, in particular the broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN).