Throughout the telecommunications marketplace, a trend toward deregulation and liberalization prompted expectations of increased competition, reduced consumer prices, and innovative new services. Although many hailed the U.S. Telecommunications Act of 1996 as the beginning of a new age of innovative and affordable services, consumers have yet to witness any substantial new service offerings or savings in their monthly bills.

If the promise of lower costs and new service offerings has not been realized in the marketplace, the industry must ask why. The answer lies not in the halls of government but in the CO facilities of service providers. The rules have changed, but the infrastructure has not.

A company that can provide a next-generation switch architecture can capitalize on the potential in this area of the market. In turn, a whole new area of commerce within the telecommunications arena will be created.