International Telecommunication Standards: Issues and Implications for the '80's

International telecommunication standards and their effects on the U.S. telecommunication industry were considered at a 2-day workshop entitled International Standards--Issues and Implications for the "80's. Papers presented at the conference are summarized. The speakers addressed the importance of standards, the international organizations responsible for their development (including U.S. participation in that process), and the standards-building process itself. Two major efforts in international standards development--the Integrated Services Digital Network and the Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model are discussed. The status of other standards work, including videotex and Signalling System No. 7, is also reviewed.