Recently, Erkki Liikanen, EU commissioner for the Information Society, said: "To be connected to the Internet is not enough, we have to look at the quality of the connection". Presenting an assessment on EU progress in information technology and e-commerce he added: "From now on, broadband will be the key issue", putting broadband access on top of the agenda of the eEurope initiative.

Fortunately the telecommunications operators and EURESCOM identified early the necessity to provide cost-efficient broadband access to the end customers, which is evident by the number of network access projects EURESCOM run in the last few years.

Where do we stand today?

 A number of new technologies have emerged and are trying to satisfy this demand. Even if each new access technology has its merits and is technologically justified, the landscape today is quite diversified leaving the customers, the network operators and the service providers with the great challenge of integrating all these technologies. At the end of the day the end user will pay for getting the value added service — like an upload of his digital photos to his Web site — and does not care too much, by which technology this will be achieved. This means that the telecommunications operators and service providers have to provide integrated services independent from the technology layer. The main challenge of this integration is the seamless provision of services across several network technologies, regardless of fixed, wireless or mobile terminals. The tutorial on Wireless Access Technologies will give you an overview of the main technologies in the wireless and mobile area only.

Solutions

Many of the challenges described above have been addressed in EURESCOM projects and solutions have been developed that are gradually finding their way into the deployment of broadband access solutions of the telecommunications operators in Europe.

The EURESCOM project FREEHANDS proved that the integration of broadband wireless access systems with Full Service Access Networks (FSAN) is feasible and gives a real benefit to network operators allowing for flexibility and scalability of deployment of broadband access networks at a reduced cost.

The FAN project has analysed the trends towards full IP-based services and is currently developing requirements for the seamless integration of service level aspects between the core network and the future access networks.

Satisfying future service scenarios with the inherent expectation of seamless access and personalised services the 'Bluetooth Access' project paves the way for the seamless access, and establishes means for personalisation.

Addressing ubiquity

While third generation networks (3G) are being deployed, EURESCOM organises discussion for a technology roadmap for systems beyond 3G indicating advances in terminal and radio technologies as well as developments in the access-, core- and service networks, supporting the vision of the Ubiquitous Network.

Support for ubiquitous computing and communications will certainly dominate the forthcoming challenges in future access networks. 

 and have access to information and provide access to services on the Net.

The innovative solutions presented in this cover story have to be seen in this respect as part of the effort of telecommunications operators to provide flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient access to the global information superhighways.

And by the way, if you are in the market for a digital camera, watch out for the next generation models with built-in, broadband wireless access interfaces that are just emerging.