t + modem Service provider Frame relay (ATM core) Data-centric Tele-centric Figure 3.13 The converging glue: IP, service providers and (often) portals. The ATM core is not compulsory, but offers high quality to the IP traffic to deliver content 'infotainment' are usually called applications with WWW/HTTP as the first 'killer application'. Accessibility to applications from any end user independently of the existing type of access media connection is a main driver for the network evolution. Except for client-server relationships there are also peer-to-peer relationships, such as Napster downloads. This traffic pushes the need for 'broadband'. The reason is the fast Internet WWW and video services or other bandwidth-consuming services that can be downloaded from the servers, or from peers, such as the above-mentioned Napster. We are now experiencing a dynamic time: the perception of the end users changes over time, new standards are produced continuously and implemented into the networks, new network solutions are designed by vendors. New network solutions are introduced in existing (or sometimes new) networks by the operators/service providers. New services are produced, maybe by third-party developers. New roles in the value chain are created or disappear. New services are marketed towards the end users. The end users show their power by choosing services and operators. There are other dynamics as well, if regulators and society are taken into consideration. Some of the new standards can be seen in Figure 3.14. There are two drivers: broadband for IP-traffic (or indeed only wideband (up to 2 Mbit/s) in some cases) and voice conver- gence (VoIP, VoATM, VoFR). This is where we are today. The next step is likely to be MM/IP (multimedia over IP), combined with a full-fledged mobile Internet, in addition to the fixed Internet. See Figure 3.15. Summing up the convergence SO far IP has a key role in connecting everything together, by means of its capability to surf over other networks, and some killer applications like 