Many large enterprises that access high bandwidth data services from their networks are using narrowband
voice channels to mimic high bandwidth data lines. Data traffic is being transported by service providers via
their narrowband networks, which, in turn, causes congestion and resource problems for the providers. The
service providers, desiring a more efficient use of their networks, would like to move this traffic to an
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network but do not want to force their customers to change their
access methods or lose valuable network features such as dialing plans. This paper proposes a network
architecture that will preserve customers' present access methods, preserve the features to which they
have become accustomed, and aggregate the high bandwidth traffic onto an ATM network. The heart of the solution
is a new element known as the broadband interworking gateway (BBIG), which bridges the customer
premises access to both the voice band network and the ATM network. An implementation solution that modifies
and enhances the present configuration of the 5ESS® switch is also proposed.
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