ection-ori- tires and whole new vehicles can be designed and ented network, designed to remember how to handle introduced without detailed reference to the underlying each circuit rather than to solve a routing problem for network infrastructure, or roadway. Packet-based each packet, will likely need manual reconfiguration if it networks are not without their problems, however. The consists of PVCs. Furthermore, if it consists of SVCs, it main issue for voice traffic is that it has to arrive at its will at least need to perform a call setup. destination not only almost instantaneously but also in While most of the voice links are circuit switched, coherent chunks to be comprehensible. Connectionless there does exist some packet switching of voice data in packet routing using the IP is unable to secure guaranteed the telephone network. Beyond the local loop, a large quality of transmission. Everything depends on how part of the signal and control network is packet switched much other traffic there is on the network at any one like IP, though the signaling networks generally use time. But there are solutions. IP is a real break with the a different suite of protocols. Circuit switching and past. For the first time the telecom environment will look packet switching address the same problem. A lot of data more like the computer environment, where a standard comes into a communications computer (switch) on a set operating system will enable both equipment vendors of incoming channels and must be directed to the right and applications providers to innovate to provide value- outgoing channels. The key difference is how resources added services. The result will be good news for users, are reserved on the channels and within the communi- who will see costs (especially for voice) rapidly diminish. cations computer. At the same time, the new environment should stimulate Where the traditional network deployed today is a faster innovation cycle with new residential and busi- designed to carry circuits-fixed channels across wh