Information Systems Engineering (ISE)

Department of Computing and

Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Imperial College
Written by: Vince Avery & John Matta
E-mail: vra@doc.ic.ac.uk, jm4@doc.ic.ac.uk

Date: 10th June 1997

Supervisor: Dr. J.Barria

Intelligent Networks : A Concept for the

21st Century
Contents
Introduction
The Existing Telecommunications System
Intelligent Network Basics
Standards For Intelligent Networks
The IN Conceptual Model (INCM)
Capability Set 1 : CS-1
Capability Set 2 : CS-2
An Example of an IN Service and its Implementation
Advanced Intelligent Networks (AIN)
INs in Relation To Other Telecommunications Systems
TINA - The Way Forward
Conclusions
References
Index
Appendices

Introduction
Communication methods are essential to enable the continual expansion of the technological society in which we live. They enable
people to exchange ideas, opinions and synchronise all interactions between themselves and others. Telephony is still the
predominant method of communication although new techniques, such as electronic mail and mobile communications are becoming
more and more popular. Network users are requesting increasingly complex services which cannot be effectively supported by
existing network architectures. Also, there is a desire to share data, distribute application processing among network elements and
an increasing demand for more sophisticated telecommunications services. All of these factors have led to the evolution of new
networking architectures.
A particular architecture which has evolved is the Intelligent Network (IN), in which services are provided independently of the
bearer networks or equipment vendors. The IN is essentially an architecture which separates the service logic from the telephone
exchanges, enabling the establishment of an open platform for uniform service creation, implementation and management. It
enables advanced customer orientated services to be rapidly and cost effectively introduced.

The Existing Telecommunications System

In the traditional Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), the switching systems (known as 'switches') perform the basic call
processing. Each supplementary service is a non-reusable software entity that modifies this basic process in the switches. The
switching network typically consists of a hierarchy of switches, e.g. a local exchange level, an intermediate exchange level and a
transit exchange level, as shown in figure 1.

Figure 1 - Levels of a switching hierarchy.

In these systems, if the switch based services are situated at the transient (top) level, there is a large overhead for their use. This is
because of the number of switches and related trunks that need to be accessed in order to use a service. For this reason, services
have been 'migrating' to lower levels of the hierarchy, reducing the overhead for service use. In the extreme case, each local
exchange level switch contains the service data, meaning that every service must be loaded into every switch's software before it
can be used (see figure 2).

Figure 2 - Provision of services in the POTS environment.

Having the services located in the switches complicates service maintenance and addition, especially as the number of services
contained in each switch increases. Consequently, the addition of new services occurs very rarely.
There are also a number of economic implications to a network structured in this way.
A single company is traditionally responsible for running an exchange and all of the services it offers. This means that there is
not a competitive market for service provision since the company running the exchange is the only service provider.
Lack of competition leads to lack of innovation, and so service provision does not progress and the standards of services are
not forced to improve as they would be in a competitive market.
As previously mentioned, service addition is complicated so it is not feasible for customers to request specific services to suit
their business needs. Services are rarely introduced and so when they are, they need to benefit as many network users as
possible.
There are various problems with the traditional system other than those identified here. Collectively, they have highlighted the need
for a new telecommunications architectures, and in response to this, the Intelligent Network has evolved.

Intelligent Network Basics

Having identified the inadequacies with the traditional system, it was possible to outline the various changes which needed to be
made:
1. Increase Service Velocity: enable the rapid introduction of new services with direct responsiveness to customer needs.
2. Broaden The Range of Services: go beyond traditional voice and data bearer services to include information services,
broadband and multimedia.
3. Enable a Multivendor Competitive Environment: ensure services will work correctly and consistently on any vendor's
equipment.
4. Evolve from Existing Networks: must interwork with and evolve from existing networks since completely replacing existing
networks would be far to disruptive and time consuming..
The first step in realising these changes was to remove the service data from the switching network, and locate it in a centralised
database, which is accessible to all the switching nodes. The next step was to separate the service logic from the switch and put it

into an independent node, called an 'intelligent node'. A single new service can be added to this node, which then becomes
available throughout the whole network.
A real time connection is needed between the network nodes, known as 'service switching points' (SSPs), and the intelligent
node, known as the 'service control points' (SCPs). This fast and standardised interconnection forms the basis of the IN
architecture. Figure 3 shows the relationship between these network elements.

Figure 3 - Intelligent Network approach.

This networking structure enables the IN architecture to provides a complete framework for the uniform creation, provision and
management of advanced telecommunication services. It also enables the set of services to be extended, giving users a wider
choice i.e. it defines an open set of services. Other advantages created by the IN structure can be identified:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

extensive use of information processing techniques;

efficient use of network resources;
modularization of network functions;
integrated service creation and implementation by means of reusable standard network functions;
flexible allocation of network functions to physical entities;
portability of network functions among physical entities;
standardised communication between network functions via service independent interfaces;
customer control over their specific service attributes;
standardised management of service logic.

IN has been intensively researched by all the major organisations in the telecommunications industry, yet a finalised system has still
not been established. There are a number of key reasons for this. Firstly, the task of restructuring existing telephone exchanges to
provide a well-defined control interface is one of enormous complexity. At the same time, there is increasing competitive pressure for
new network features to be provided quickly, and the only way this can be achieved at present is by using embedded service
solutions. As a result, the implementation of INs becomes even more complicated. Also, network operators may be cautious about
investing in a set of standards which is new and still evolving. Another area suspending the implementation of INs is the inability of
the various authorities involved to agree on any one set of standard recommendations. Despite this, various recommendations for
the international standardisation of intelligent networks have been produced, which will be introduced in the following section.

Standards For Intelligent Networks

In 1989, the International Standardisation Union (ITU) and the European Telecommunications Standardisation Institute
(ETSI) began work on international IN standards. A phase structured development process was started, which aimed to completely
define the target IN architecture. Each phase of development intended to define a particular set of IN capabilities, known as a
capability set (CS). This refers to a set of services and service features that can be constructed, given the available functionality at
that particular evolution phase of the IN. Each CS defines the requirements for one or more of the following areas:
service creation
service management
service interaction
service processing
network management
network interworking
In addition to this, each CS is intended to be compatible with the previous CS and is enhanced to ensure that it is one stage closer to
the final IN target.
In March 1992 the first capability set (CS-1) was approved, but a revised version was released several years later in 1995, known as
CS-1R. Work on CS-2 was started in 1994 which addressed basic aspects that were excluded from CS-1, such as IN management.
Furthermore, work on CS-3 was started in 1995. Figure 4 shows the time scale for the expected release of the various capability
sets. It can be seen that the release date for CS-2 turned out to be slightly ambitious, as it has not yet been finalised.

Figure 4 - IN standards development schedule (ITU/ETSI).

The recommendations for the definition of IN capability sets is show in Appendix A. CS-1 represents the first actual standardised
stage of the IN, and supports a first set of IN services. Both ITU and ETSI have produced technical reports and documents for CS-1
recommendations. Before considering CS-1 in detail, a general framework for developing international standards for INs will be
considered, which is known as the IN conceptual model (INCM).

The IN Conceptual Model (INCM)

The INCM was developed to provide a framework for the design and description of each capability set and the target IN architecture.
As a contained model, it completely captures the whole engineering process of the IN. The INCM is structured into four planes as
follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

service plane
global functional plane
distributed functional plane
physical plane

The upper two planes focus on service creation and implementation, whereas the lower two planes addressing the physical IN
architecture.
Service Plane (SP)
This plane is of primary interest to service users and providers. It describes services and service features from a user perspective,
and is not concerned with how the services are implemented within the network.
Global Functional Plane (GFP)
The GFP is of primary interest to the service designer. It describes units of functionality, known as service independent building
blocks (SIBs) and it is not concerned with how the functionality is distributed in the network. Services and service features can be
realised in the service plane by combining SIBs in the GFP.
Distributed Functional Plane (DFP)
This plane is of primary interest to network providers and designers. It defines the functional architecture of an IN-structured network
in terms of network functionality, known as functional entities (FEs). SIBs in the GFP are realised in the DFP by a sequence of
functional entity actions (FEAs) and their resulting information flows.
Physical Plane (PP)
The PP is of primary interest to equipment providers. It describes the physical architecture for an IN-structured network in terms of
physical entities (PEs) and the interfaces between them. The functional entities from the DFP are realised by physical entities in
the physical plane.
The four planes of the model are portrayed in figure 5. This model forms the framework for the evolution of intelligent networks, and
when defining a capability set, all planes of the INCM should be considered. The next sections will take a detailed look into CS-1, by
following the four planes of the INCM, in order to get a feel of how an IN may be implemented.

Figure 5 - The IN conceptual model (INCM).

Key:
SF Service feature
SIB Service independent building block
SL Service logic
SLP Service logic program
FE Functional entity
FEA Functional entity action
PE Physical entity
CS-1 Service Plane
CS-1 service capabilities are defined by the upper two planes of the INCM, namely the service plane (SP) and the global
functional plane (GFP), as shown in figure 6. It should be realised that the IN aims to define a platform for service execution where
the type of service is not fixed, i.e. an open set is supported.

Figure 6 - CS-1 service capabilities are defined by the upper two INCM planes.
IN services can be categorised into two groups, as follows:
1. Single-ended and single-point-of-control services, known as 'type A' services. Single-ended means that the service applies
to one and only one party in a call, and is independent of any other parties participating in the call. Single-point-of-control
defines a control relationship in which a given call is influenced by one and only one service logic program. The service logic is
located in the service control points (SCPs), and hence there are no interactions between SCPs when providing a 'type A'
service.
2. All other services are know as 'type B' services. Such services allow several IN subscribers to be associated with a single call,
and also enable several call parties to be added or removed dynamically during the call. In order to provide 'type B' services,
the SCPs may be required to interact.
CS-1 is targeted to support 'type A' service only, thus reducing implementation complexity. Many different types of services exist in
an IN, a few of which are listed below. For a more complete listing of the CS-1 services, see appendix B.
Abbreviated dialling enables the use of short numbers for outgoing calls.
Account card calling allows calls from any telephone by charging a credit card.
Televoting enables voting via the network.
Malicious call identification enables logging of incoming calls.
Service Features

A service feature is a part of a telecommunications service, which can be used in conjunction with other services/service features. A
service feature is either a core part of a telecommunication service, i.e. a fundamental component, or an optional part offered as an
enhancement to the service. Service features are combined to achieve new services in the service plane. Many different types of
service features exist, a few of which are listed below.
One number allows two or more destination lines to be reached via one number.
Reverse charging allows call charges to be allocated to the called party.
Automatic call back allows a call to be set up after a line becomes free.
CS-1 Global Functional Plane
Defined by CS-1 is a high-level logical programming interface. This programming interface consists of a set of service independent
building blocks (SIBs) in the global functional plane (GFP). This is used by the service designer for the definition of service logic
programs (software programs that contain the service logic that runs in an SCP). Hence, service features in the service plane are
defined by one or more SIBs in the GFP.
Some of the SIBs defined by the CS-1 standards are shown below:
Algorithm: applies a mathematical algorithm to data in order to produce a result.
Verify: provides confirmation that the information received is syntactically consistent with the expected form.
Basic Call Process: a dedicated SIB responsible for providing basic call connectivity between parties in the network.
In order to build intelligent network service logic, the SIBs must be chained together. IN service logic built using a SIB chain, is
referred to as global service logic (GSL). At specific points in the call processing the SIB chain must interact with the initial basic
call at in order to correctly handle the service request.
Hence, a dedicated SIB, known as the basic call process (BCP) is used to model the real-time behaviour of the network. It is the
BCP which allows the passing of call control temporarily to the IN service logic, and hence the SIB provides two specific interaction
points:
Points of initiation (POI) allow the transfer of control from the switch hosting the basic call process to a service switching
point which contains the global service logic.
Points of return (POR) allow the transfer of control from the SCP back to the basic call process.
This whole process is captured in figure 7 below.

Figure 7- Global Functional Plane Model.

To summarise, SIBs are combined into SIB chains in order to construct new services. The IN services can only be implemented
within the capabilities of the available set of SIBs. Also, the service creation environment is fundamental, providing the service
designer with an appropriate interface for constructing new services/service features.
CS-1 Distributed Functional Plane
The lower two planes of the INCM , namely the distributed functional plane (DFP) and the physical plane (PP) define the actual IN
architecture. This is shown in figure 8 below.

Figure 8 - CS-1 IN architecture is defined by the lower two INCM planes.

The actual functional IN architecture for CS-1 is defined in the DFP. Architectural functions represented in this plane enable IN
services to be supported. Each SIB which is defined in the GFP must be implemented by functional entities (FEs) in the DFP. The
three categories of functions that can be identified in CS-1 are listed below.
1. Basic call-handling functions e.g. the connection control function (CCF) which provides the functionality for the basic call
processing.
2. Service execution functions e.g. the service switching function (SSF) contains the logic for controlling switch resources. It
also provides a service-independent interface to the service control function (SCF), which is used for controlling network
resources. Also, the service data function (SDF) contains both customer-related and network-related data and provides
standardised access methods, enabling the SCFs to use this data.
3. Service management functions e.g. the system management function (SMF) which supports the introduction, provision and
maintenance of IN services.
Modelling IN services in the DFP
IN services/service features are composed of SIBs in the GFP. In order to realise services in the service plane, each SIB must be
decomposed into an interacting set of FEs in the DFP. The FEs must exchange messages in order to perform a desired SIB
functionality and these information exchanges are known as information flows (IFs).
This whole process is captured in figure 9.

Figure 9 - Realisation of SIBs by information flows in the DFP.

Basic Call Model
New service logic is needed in order to realise any additional telecommunication services. The starting point for the execution of IN
service logic is represented by the basic call model (BCM). The BCM identifies all possible points in the basic call processing from
which IN services can be invoked. Hence, it is a fundamental component in the IN architecture, and enables control to be passed
from the switch to external IN logic.
To summarise, each SIB in the GFP must be decomposed into a set of interacting functional entities in the DFP. The functionality of
each SIB is achieved by information flows between the functional entities. Hence, the implementation of SIBs by FEs in the DFP
allows services in the service plane to be realised.
CS-1 Physical Plane
This plane defines the real physical IN architecture. Each of the FEs in the DFP are mapped to a physical entity (PE) of the INstructured network. Some of the typical physical entities that you would find in an IN-structured network are:
A service switching point (SSP) which provides the service switching function (SSF) and the connection control function

(CCF).
A service control point (SCP) which contains a service control function (SCF) and a service data function (SDF). Hence, the
SCP contains the service logic programs and the data that are used to provide IN services.
A service data point (SDP) which provides the platform for a service data function (SDF), and thus contains customer and
network data, which is accessed during the execution of a service.
In addition to the call-related PEs, other PEs exist for management and service creation. Also, in order to achieve an IN service, the
physical entities need to be able to communicate. These information flows are implemented through a protocol known as the IN
application protocol (INAP).
To summarise, each FE in the DFP must be mapped to a physical entity in the physical plane. The INAP enables the implementation
of IN CS-1 services and service features by supporting the necessary interactions between the PEs.
IN Capability Set 2 (CS-2)
CS-2 is the second standardised stage of the intelligent network evolution, addressing the limitations of CS-1. Some of the
enhancements that it intends to make are identified below:
Enhanced IN services should be supported, such as mobility and broadband services.
IN interworking should be supported. This enables national IN hardware platforms to be interconnected, allowing IN services to
be available world-wide. The interworking of IN architectures is intended to support data, multiparty , video and multimedia
services for all of ISDN, packet, mobile and B-ISDN technologies.
Both IN service management and network management should be fully supported.
Like CS-1, the development of CS-2 standards has been based on the INCM. Since the enhanced architecture envisions new
services in the service plane, this results in additional changes in the lower planes of the INCM. In the GFP, new SIBS must be
defined and the basic call process SIB has to be enhanced. In the GFP, new functional entities may have to be defined, as well as
existing entities enhanced, thus resulting in new information flows. In view of this, the INAP in the physical plane will need to be
modified, in order to handle the new information flows in the DFP. Also, new physical entities may have to be defined.
From the service users point of view, instead of concrete services being defined (as was the case for CS-1), the following service
categories have been defined:
1. Internet working services, such as Internet Televoting, based on interconnected INs.
2. call party handling services allowing several parties to participate in a particular call.
3. mobility services required for personal mobility, terminal mobility (e.g. support of cordless terminal mobility in an IN structured
network) and mobile communication systems.
4. broadband services and bearer services, including connectionless and connection-oriented bearer services.
5. other service features, such as conference calling, which are outside the range of 'single ended' and 'single point of control'
service features (see CS-1 service plane) and which were not fully addressed in CS-1.
One of the fundamental differences between CS-1 and CS-2 is the separation of the management-related functional entities from all
other FEs in the DFP. CS-1 only defined a service management function, and considered the specification of common management
interfaces to be outside the scope of standardisation. This approach greatly hinders the concept of vendor independence, as each
vendor will develop its own management interface. This also makes the interworking of different IN platforms a particularly complex
issue. This is because different IN management systems with different interfaces have to be interconnected. An IN management
functional model has therefore been developed to standardise IN management interfaces. This model is based on standardised
management architectures, such as the telecommunications management network (TMN).
As previously mentioned, CS-2 supports the interworking of different IN platforms and aims to provide a common 'look and feel' to IN
services in different countries. The interworking of different IN architectures is an essential step towards the provision of international
IN services.
Future Capability Sets
Service aspects such as mobility and multimedia are regarded as basic attributes of future IN services. It was envisioned that the
CS-2 architecture would fully support these service aspects, but considering the time required for CS-1 completion, it is probable that
these issues will not be completely resolved within the given time frame for CS-2 finalisation (i.e. end of 1997). Thus, work related to
CS-3 includes the completion of these challenging aspects, as well as addressing issues such as full IN/TMN integration, full IN/BISDN integration and full support for mobile/personal communications systems.
The content of future capability sets is difficult to predict. However, this will be determined by the convergence of computing and
telecommunications and the increasing influence of object-oriented design.
An Example of an IN Service and its Implementation
One particular service defined within capability set 1 is the card calling service. This offers the possibility of the phone call being
charged to the account of the user who makes the call, rather than charging the user for using a specific telephone line. Hence, the
call can be established without charging any of the lines involved in the call.
This service is also known as automatic alternative billing, account card calling, virtual card calling or credit card calling service. The
distinction is made depending on whether a real physical card is being used (thus requiring a card reading terminal), or whether a
'virtual card is being used. (requiring the user to dial an account number). All of these services are dependent on a white list. This
list resides in a database and contains information on the particular services users are subscribed to and related billing information.
The next section will look at the automatic alternative billing service.

Basic Service Functionality

The automatic alternative billing service (AABS) allows the service subscriber to make a call from any telephone to any destination
number. The call is charged to an account specified by the account number. In order to invoke the service, the service access code
and destination number must be dialled. The user is then asked to enter their account number and PIN which is then validated by
the intelligent network. The call can then be established.
Thus, the basic service functionality is defined by two service features, namely:
1. The authorisation code service which allows the user to obtain special calling privileges depending on their authorisation
profile.
2. The originating user prompter service which enables the prompting of the user with a specific announcement, in this case to
enter their account number and PIN.
Virtual Card Calling Service Example
Consider a user who has an account card and wants to make a call from a phone that has no card reading device. To do this, the
user dials the service access code for the AABS (e.g. '123-123') followed by the destination number (e.g. ' 030-25499-229'). Once
connected to the network, the user will be asked for the account number (e.g. '123-111') and PIN (e.g. '8888'). After the account
number and PIN have been validated, the call will be established.

Figure 10 - Automatic alternative billing service processing

The call processing for the above example is as follows:
1. The user dials the service access code ('123-123') followed by the destination number (e.g. 030-25499-229).
2. The switch recognises that the call is an IN call and the service switching point (SSP) sends an INAP query containing call
information to the corresponding SCP. On receipt of the query the SCP starts the corresponding service logic program. The
SCP determines an appropriate Intelligent Peripheral (IP) to query for the account code and PIN of the user for validation.
3. The SCP returns to the SSP a routing number of an appropriate IP and instructs the SSP to establish the connection to the IP.
4. The SSP routes the call to the IP and instructs the IP to start an appropriate dialogue with the user.
5. The IP asks the user for the account code and PIN.
6. The user enters the account code and PIN, and the IP collects the response digits.
7. The IP returns the information to the SSP. The SSP relays the account code and the PIN to the SCP. The SCP examines the
account code and the PIN and checks that the account limit has not yet been exceeded.
8. The SCP instructs the SSP to disconnect the IP and to establish the connection to the destination number.
9. The SSP disconnects the IP and instructs the switch to establish a connection to the desired destination.
10. After the call is terminated, the SSP informs the SCP about the call charges. The SCP adds the charges to the subscriber's
account.
It should be noted that the description given here of card calling is only an example, and real implementations of the service may be
slightly different.
Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN)
The majority of work on capability sets has been carried out by ITU and ETSI. However, INs have been studied by other
organisations world-wide. Bellcore in the US have also been involved with IN standardisation, undergoing work on the advanced
intelligent network (AIN). The AIN program was developed to address IN evolution in the local exchange carrier networks of the
Bellcore client companies in the US. Thus, Bellcore specifications do not represent real international standards, but are considered
to be standards in North America.
Like the ITU approach, AIN is developed in evolutionary steps, known as releases. These can be compared with CSs, although the
contents and timing of releases do not necessarily coincide. Each release represents a set of marketable and maintainable AIN
capabilities. To date, AIN release 0.1 and AIN release 0.2 have been produced.
Bellcore's work has focused primarily on the IN architecture contained in the lowest two planes of the INCM, namely the DFP and
the physical plane. However, it should be stressed that there is no mention of the INCM within the AIN specifications.
Services and Capabilities

AIN 0.1 and 0.2 are closely aligned with CS-1, in that they support circuit-switched voice/data services, with an emphasis on flexible
routing, flexible charging and flexible user interaction for two-party calls. AIN 0.1 and 0.2 services are considered to be single-ended
but it is hoped that later AIN releases will support multiparty calls.
Architectures and Interfaces
AIN 0.1 focuses on service processing requirements and the network interworking required for the specific AIN 0.1 services. Also, as
with CS-1, call modelling is used in AIN and is the foundation for the distributed architecture. However, AIN 0.1 goes beyond the CS1 specifications by addressing service and network management requirements.
AIN release 0.2 can be compared with the revised version of capability set one (CS-1R). The basic difference between the two
standards is the use of slightly differing call models, resulting in minor differences in the information flows. However, AIN releases
and ITU capability sets are functionally converging with increasing speed, to define a single international IN standard.

INs in Relation To Other Telecommunications Systems

Intelligent Networks aim to create a generic platform for the uniform creation, provision and management of services in a
telecommunications environment. However, these objectives overlap the aims of a number of other major communication systems
such as Telecommunications Management Networks (TMNs), Mobile/Personal Communications Systems and ISDN. Some of the
features of mobile/personal communications will be presented here, along with their relationship to INs.
INs and Mobile/Personal Communications Systems
Mobile and personal communications will be fundamental attributes of future telecommunications systems due to the publics
increasing dependence on the ability to be 'universally connected'. Thus, if the IN architecture intends to be a global architecture for
all telecommunications, it must make provisions to support this.
Service mobility and the personalisation of service properties are both major concerns, as are smooth interaction between diverse
services and a simplistic presentation of services to end-users. In order to fulfil these requirements, a new telecommunication
system must have the following features:
personal mobility - meaning that an end-user can use any network access point and any terminal, while being identified
through the same number and charged to the end user's personal account.
personalisation - meaning that end-user's have personal working environments which can be easily managed by subscribers
and configured by end-users. Subscribers can control the service delivery to their end users, and define limitations on the
service usage. End-users can then configure their personal environment within these limits.
interoperability - describing the capability of the system to support effective interworking between different services, offered
by heterogeneous networks.
A conceptual user defined environment which has all these features is called the Personal Service Communication Space (PSCS)
and is expected to be finalised in the near future. This will bring together the ideas behind intelligent networks and mobile/personal
communication systems, producing a greatly improved mobile networking architecture.

TINA - The Way Forward

The IN is a great improvement on the existing network, but is believed to be only an essential revolutionary step towards the
optimum restructuring of public networks. As a standalone concept, the IN still has its problems, but if combined with state of the art
concepts, such as the telecommunications management networks (TMNs), INs and distributed processing, the resulting framework
may well define the architecture of future international networks.
Thus, in 1993 the Telecommunications Information Network Architecture Consortium (TINA-C) was founded. The consortium aimed
to define a telecommunications information networking architecture (TINA) which would enable the efficient introduction,
delivery and management of telecommunications services. Also, due to the rapid convergence of telecommunications and
computing, the focus of attention moved away from the physical network to a software based system.
The kind of services to be supported by the TINA ranges from voice-based services to multi-media, multiparty services, the latter of
which cannot be properly supported by current IN architectures. All of these software based application will run on a distributed
hardware platform, which hides any distribution concerns from applications.
The TINA concept incorporates object-oriented principles for service modelling in order to:
improve the interoperability of services
allow the re-use of software
allow the flexible replacement of software on network nodes
Many stakeholders have already shown their interest in TINA. However, much work is still to be done with interworking IN and TINA
platforms before actual TINA implementations are feasible.

Conclusions
This report has presented a simple overview of intelligent

networks as defined by the international standard bodies. Some of

the drawbacks of the traditional telephone system were identified
along with the solutions provided by the intelligent network
concept. This concept outlines a networking architecture in which
the data and logic required for a particular service are removed
from the telephone switching network, and put it into intelligent
nodes, thus enabling additional network services to be easily
introduced.
The IN conceptual model (INCM) and its role as a general
framework for IN development has been described. Also, the
international IN standards which provide the foundation for current
IN implementation have been presented. Additionally, the
relationships betweeen IN and other emerging concepts, such as
TMN and mobile communication systems were addressed. To
conclude, the future evolution of INs was considered by focusing
on the telecommunications networking architecture (TINA), which
is rapidly gaining momentum.
Only a very basic description of the IN concept has been
introduced in this report. However, the field of INs is much more
complex and furthur technical documents should be consulted in
order to gain a deeper understanding of the IN architecture.
Today INs are in use in various parts of the world. There are
however still some problems in actual implementations which are
methodically being resolved, and given time it is beleived that the
IN will become a global networking infrastructure, interconnecting
many national and regional installations around the world.
References
BOOKS:
Intelligent Networks; Thomas Magendanz and Radu
Popescu-Zeletin (International Thopmson Computer Press,
1996)
Intelligent Networks; J.Harju, T.Karttunen and O.Martikainen
(Chapmen & Hall, 1994)

Worldwide intelligent systems : approaches to

telecommunications and network management; J.Liebowitz
and D.S.Prerau.(1995)
JOURNALS:
IEEE Communications Magazine, March 1993
BT Technology Journal, Volume 13, April 1995
British Telecommunications Engineering Magazine, Vol.
15, April 1996
WWW SITES:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2121/papers96.html
http://www.fokus.gmd.de/ovma/Tangram/pub/aachenabstract.html
Index
AIN - advanced intelligent network
BCM - basic call model
BCP - basic call process
B-ISDN - Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network
CCF - connection control function
CS - capability set 7
DFP - Distributed Functional Plane
ETSI - European Telecommunications Standardisation Institute
FE - functional entity
FEA - functional entity action
GFP - Global Functional Plane
GSL - global service logic
IFs - information flows
IN - Intelligent Network
INAP - IN application protocol
INCM - IN Conceptual Model
IP - intelligent peripheral
ITU - International Standardisation Union

PE - physical entity
POTS - Plain Old Telephone Service
PP - physical plane
PSCS - Personal Service Communication Space
SSCF - service control function
SCP - service control point
SDF - service data function
SF - service feature
SIB - service-independent building block
SL - service logic
SLP - service logic program
SMF - system management function
SP - service Plane
SSF - service switching function
SSP - service switching point
TMN - Telecommunications Management Network
Appendix A ITU recommendations for the definition of IN
capability sets
Document No. Title
Q.1200
General Series Intelligent Networks Recommendations Structure
Q.1201/I.312
Principles of Intelligent Network Architecture
Q.1202/I.328
Intelligent Network Service Plane Architecture
Q.120/I.329
Intelligent Network Global Functional Plane Architecture
Q.1204
Intelligent Network Distributed Functional Plane Architecture
Q.1205
Intelligent Network Physical Plane Architecture
Q.1208
General Aspects of the IN Application Protocol
Q.1290
Glossary of Terms used in the Definition of Intelligent Networks

Appendix B - Capability Set 1 Services

Abbreviated dialing (ABD): This service allows subscribers to
call others dialing an abbreviated number.
Account card calling (ACC): this service enables subscribers to
use a telephone card to make telephone calls from any cardreading telephone. For identification the user receives an
access code and a personal identification number (PIN). Thus,

the caller dials the access code, enters PIN and draws the card
through the reader. The card content defines a domestic or
business account number to which charges for the call are
debited.
Automatic alternative billing (AAB): (1) This service enables a
user to be charged for a call by the user's account from any
telephone, i.e. the call charge does not refer either to the
calling line or to the called line. An account code and PIN are
allocated to a service user and validated if the user invokes a
call. (2) This service allows the user (as calling party) to ask
another user (as called party) to receive the call at her or his
expense. A call could consist of two steps: after the calling
party is invited to record a brief message for the called party,
the latter is alerted and asked to accept the call and be charge
for it.
Call completion to busy subscriber (CCBS): Calling a busy
destination, the user is informed when the busy line becomes
free without making a new call.
Call forwarding (CF): By invoking this service via subscriber
control capabilities the user may forward incoming calls to
another telephone number.
Call rerouting distribution (CRD): Encountering a trigger
condition (busy, queue overload, etc.) the incoming calls of the
subscriber are rerouted to a predifined destination.
Conference calling (CON): This service supports the
connection of multiple parties in a single conversation.
Credit card calling (CCC): The subscriber may call from any
normal access interface to any destination number and is
charged to an account specified by the CCC number. This
account may also be a bank card account.
Destination call routing (DCR): The subscriber's incoming calls
are routed to different destinations according to various
conditions (time of day, area of call origination, etc.).
Additionally, the subscriber may obtain statistics related to the
calls.
Follow-me diversion (FMD): This service provides subscribers
with facilities to redirect calls from their primary telephone

number to other locations (including terminal access) via

customer control capabilities.
Freephone (FPH): The subscriber of the Freephone service is
able to reverse charging by accepting charges for the incoming
calls. This means that calling users do not have to pay the call
charges when calling a Freephone number. Freephone
subscribers are usually but not necessarily large companies
using service for promotion purposes.
Malicious call identification (MCI): This service allows the
subscriber to control the logging (record) of incoming calls.
Mass calling (MAS): The MAS service provides capabilities for
instantaneous, high-volume traffic routed to one or more
destinations depending on specific conditions. The subscriber
may obtain statistics concerning the calls (e.g. number of calls).
Originating call screening (OCS): The subscriber is able to
screen outgoing calls in accordance with a screening list that
either restricts or allows them. The user in turn may override
the restriction on a per call basis by means of an authorization
code (identity code or PIN).
Premium rate (PRM): This service provides the subscriber
(usually an information service provider) with a premium rate
number. A user who calls this number is charged at a special
rate for both the call and the information/service obtained by
the call. The network operator collects the revenue and shares
it with the service provider.
Security screening (SEC): Security screening is intended to
hinder unauthorized access to the subscriber's network,
systems, or applications. Invalid attempts may be recorded.
Selective call forwarding on busy/don't answer (SCF): The
user's incoming calls can be redirected according to a
screening list, regardless of the user's line status. If the user's
line is busy or the user does not answer (within x
rings/seconds) the incoming call is redirected to another
number.
Split charging (SPL): This service allows charge splitting: the
calling as well as the called party is charged for a part of the
call.

Televoting (VOT): This service enables the subscriber to

perform phone voting by allocating one or more temporary
numbers. The service may provide facilities to play
announcements acknowledging the call, to count the calls, and
to supply the total number of calls. The temporary number(s)
are reallocated and the calls may be charged at varying rates.
Terminating call screening (TCS): The subscriber can construct
a screening list to specify whether incoming calls are restricted
or allowed.
Universal access number (UAN): The terminating lines of the
subscriber at different locations can be reached via a unique
number. Based on the area from which the incoming call
originates, the subscriber may specify a number to which the
call is routed. The service may provide capabilities for statistics
concerning the incoming calls.
Universal personal telecommunication (UPT): UPT provides
the subscriber with 'mobility'. Based on a unique personal
telecommunication number (PTN), the subscriber may use
(initiate and receive) any telecommunication service across
multiple networks and at any user network access (fixed,
movable, or mobile). Irrespective of the location and limited
only by the terminal and network capabilities, the PTN is
translated to the current destination number of the subscriber.
User-defined routing (UDR): This service allows the subscriber
to determine the routing for outgoing calls in agreement with a
routing preference list.
Virtual private network (VPN): This service provides private
network capabilities by using public network resources. The
subscriber's lines, connected to different network switches,
constitute a virtual private network including capabilities such
as private numbering plan (PNP) and call transfer (TRA).
Appendix C - Sources of Further Information
BOOKS:
Intelligent Networks; Thomas Magendanz and Radu

Popescu-Zeletin (International Thopmson Computer Press,

1996). Obtained- EE Library; Usefulness - 9; Readability - 5.
Intelligent Networks; J.Harju, T.Karttunen and O.Martikainen
(Chapmen & Hall, 1994). Obtained - Project Supervisor,
Dr.J.Barria; Usefulness - 5; Readability - 6.
Worldwide intelligent systems : approaches to
telecommunications and network management; J.Liebowitz
and D.S.Prerau.(1995). Obtained - freind (Tim Sum);
Usefulness - 4; Readability - 4.
JOURNALS:
IEEE Communications Magazine, March 1993. Obtained EE Library; Usefulness - 7; Readability - 8.
BT Technology Journal, Volume 13, April 1995. March 1993.
Obtained - EE Library; Usefulness - 6; Readability - 6.
British Telecommunications Engineering Magazine, Vol.
15, April 1996. Obtained - EE Library; Usefulness - 8;
Readability - 8.
WWW SITES:
http://www.tinac.com/. Usefulness - 5; Readability - 7.
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2121/papers96.html.
Usefulness - 5; Readability - 6.
http://hegel.ittc.ukans.edu/projects/tina-c/. Usefulness - 7;
Readability - 7.
http://www.fokus.gmd.de/ovma/Tangram/pub/aachenabstract.html Usefulness - 5; Readability - 5.
http://www.bellcore.com/TEC/COURSES/TELECOMM/TECINTELLIGENT/ Usefulness - 4; Readability - 8.
http://www.itu.int/TMN/Getstart.html. Usefulness - 5;
Readability - 7.
http://www.loria.fr/~festor/NM-index.html. Usefulness - 4;
Readability - 6.