 and The Next-Generation Network Infrastructure preemption of traffic during emergencies, assistance for the hearing and speech impaired, privacy and data protection, consumer protection against intrusion, and issues of billing and settlement. In addition, seamless interoperability is critical. In response to this challenge, carriers and service providers, with the participa- tion of vendors and governments, are working with an ITU study group on devel- oping a new interpretation of the next-generation network. The main objective of these efforts is to ensure the integration and interoperability of IP networks with the PSTN and mobile networks. The ITU's next-generation network is a packet- based network capable of providing telecom services and making use of multiple broadband, QoS-enabled transport technologies in which service-related functions are independent of the underlying transport-related technologies. Furthermore, the ITU's vision encompasses the need to support generalized mobility while allowing consistent and ubiquitous provisioning of services to users. The objective of the ITU-defined next-generation network is to support much more than simple voice communications, including services such as presence management, instant messaging, push-to-talk, voicemail, video communications, and a wide range of multimedia applications, including both real-time and streaming modes. Many industry observers believe the ITU next-generation network effort is an attempt by the ITU to take control of the Internet. Carriers and governments have the equally strong view that the Internet today is not serving the interests of con- sumers or businesses well. The current Internet world is plagued by infrastructure vulnerabilities as well as the rapidly growing problems of fraud, cybercrime, spam- ming, and phishing. This reality lends strength to the argument that there is a need for greater control by operators, and the ITU next-generation network standard could serve this purpose. On the other hand, it also suggests a high