ISDN Applications:
What is ISDN?
ISDN stands for "Integrated Services Digital Networks". It is an all digital connection from your location to the point you are contacting. ISDN allows transmission of voice, data and video signals on the same telephone line. How is ISDN Different from standard voice service? Standard modem connections use an analog signal from your phone to = the telephone company. This signal is then converted to a digital signal. Later the same signal is re-converted to analog for reception at the destination. ISDN service cuts out this conversion allowing the signal to be processed more quickly, with fewer interruptions. An ISDN connection can also go beyond 64 Kbps for data and video. This is accomplished by bonding more channels together through appropriate customer premise equipment. Since ISDN service uses the existing twisted copper cables, no new wiring is required. Which ISDN service options does MCI offer? You can obtain access to MCI Global ISDN through an MCI direct connection. This service option is called Primary Rate Interface (PRI) . Or, your Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) can provide ISDN with a Basic Rate Interface (BRI) for 64 Kbps clear channel service.Customers can use MCI Global ISDN to transmit data at 56 Kbps via T-1 Digital Gateway and Switched Digital Access (SDA). What are the uses for ISDN? ISDN has a variety of very useful applications for schools and universities. When you look inside the shark tank from your classroom, you are participating in distance learning by using a videoconferencing application. School District meetings can also take place via videoconferencing when schedules or weather do not facilitate a face-to-face meetings. Or, you can get a guest speaker from most locations worldwide to lecture at your special assembly, in service day or PTA meeting.
Locations with an ISDN connection will find it fast and simple to send a fax broadcast to all participating schools to distribute its new policy menus and curricula. University servers can be connected to the Internet using ISDN. Teachers can browse the Internet for information and lesson plans supplied by the scientific community, worldwide. ISDN can also be used by university hospitals for remote = diagnosis, consultations and second options. X-rays can now be transmitted from the hospital to a doctor's office in a matter of minutes.
Remote testing and publishing are two very economical ISDN applications available to schools and universities. Computer-based testing is quickly becoming the media of choice for standardized texts. As servers hosting the tests become connected via the World Wide Web or through LAN to WAN connections, students will no longer be required to travel to test sites. Instead they will be able to take the test from the school library or classroom. Similarly, remote publishing will effectively cut the travel budget as colleagues collaborate on creating content and documents are transmitted to printers or service bureaus for instant publication. Because of the high fidelity capabilities of ISDN audio transmissions, remote jam sessions can join your school musicians with their peers all over the state, country or world. And, students can enjoy cultural performances originating in distant locations. The classroom of the futures has no walls. Lifelong learning is rapidly becoming available to people of all ages and occupations throughout the world. MCI is dedicated to facilitating the spirit and logistics of lifelong learning, To learn more about the company's commitment to the educational community, visit MCI's site at www.mci.com.