Chapter 1
Introduction
An Overview of the BIPAC-2AB 2.0
What is ISDN?
ISDN is an abbreviation for Integrated Services Digital Network. ISDN transfers information digitally and integrates all telecommunication services (such as telephone, teletext, videotex, etc.) into a single network. Using ISDN, you can transfer text, voice, data files, images, and even video.
Before the use of ISDN, telecommunications operated using analog devices, which limited the quality of telecommunication transfers. With ISDN technology, the telephone lines can transmit data digitally with much greater speed and clarity of transmission than with analog transmissions. The ISDN is capable of transmitting all kinds of information at greatly accelerated rates. A typical modem transmission has a rate of 56Kbps (kilobits per second or thousand bits per second). ISDN digital technology allows transfer rates of up to 128Kbps.
Because ISDN transmits data digitally, the data is virtually error free, and the transmission is much clearer, with fewer interruptions and slowdowns in facsimile transmissions. With ISDN devices implemented throughout the world, a truly digital network will emerge, allowing everyone fast and easy access to the global information highway.