eneration network has a multiservice core, coupled with a multi- service intelligent edge. The application of next-generation telephony in the edge environment may potentially replace the existing architectures associated with the PSTN. Next-generation networks will be characterized by intelligent networking for rapid service delivery and provisioning. They will also have video and multi- media elements, to deliver the content for which the broadband infrastructure exists. Their access media are broadband in nature and encompass both wired and wireless facilities. Next-generation networks stand to change how carriers provision applications and services and how customers access them. End-user service delivery from a sin- gle platform provides many benefits: It decreases time to market; it simplifies the process of moves, adds, and changes; and it provides a unique connection point for service provisioning and billing. Full-service internetworking between the legacy circuit-switched network and the next-generation packet networks is mandatory going forward. Next-generation networks also must be interoperable with new emerging structures, which implies that they have to be able to support the most up-to-date transport and switching standards. They also must support advanced traffic management, including full configuration, provisioning, network monitor- ing, and fault management capabilities. In a next-generation network, it is impor- tant to be able to prioritize traffic and to provide dynamic bandwidth allocation for voice, data, and video services, and this enables management of delay-tolerant traf- fic and prioritization of delay-sensitive traffic. Convergence in Different Industry Segments One of the central themes in next-generation networks is the notion of conver- gence. What convergence is depends on who you are and what segment of the Next-Generation Networks and Convergence industry you represent because convergence is actually occurring in a number of different areas. As discussed in the following sectio