Optical Technology and Network Requirements

Innovations in telecommunications networks cannot be made without due consideration to the time and resources needed to introduce them throughout the whole territory served. Optical technologies are no exception and therefore an effort must be made to choose the right ones to be consistent with a rational network evolution and effectiveness of the investments. In addition to the technologies of the basic components (fibres, sources, detectors, integrated circuits, etc.) suitable network architectures and service palimpsests must be carefully considered for the new generation of integrated broadband communication (IBC), the nervous system of the forthcoming `information society' in Europe. The paper presents some considerations on markets related to IBC and the relative position of Europe in them.