3Telecommunications and the Internetworked Enterprise

Chapter Objectives
y Identify several major developments and trends in the industries, technologies, and business applications of telecommunications and Internet technologies. y Provide examples of the business value of Internet, intranet, and extranet applications. y Identify the basic components, functions, and types of telecommunications networks used in business. y Explain the functions of major types of telecommunications network hardware, software, media, and services.

y Telecommunications sending of information in any form (e.g., voice, data, text, and images) from one place to another using electronic or lightemitting media.
y Data communications more specific term that describes the transmitting and receiving of data over communication links between one or more computer systems and a variety of input/output terminals.
y y Teleprocessing, telematics, and telephony Enterprise Collaboration applications use telecommunications networks to support communication, coordination and collaboration among members of business teams and workgroups. Electronic Commerce applications support the buying and selling of products, services, and information over the Internet and other computer networks. nternal Business applications depend on a variety of computer networks to support a company s business operations.

Industry Trends
U.S. Telecommunications Deregulation and Reform Act of 1996 has promoted many of the dynamic changes taking place in the telecommunications business.

Industry Trends
Local telephone companies, including the regional Bell operating companies, can provide long distance telecommunications services. Long-distance telephone companies can enter local telephone service markets. Local and long-distance telephone companies can expand into the cable TV business.