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A telecommunications network carries audio, video, and data communications, including internet, microwave, and wireless equipment. It provides efficient transmission of information from an originating point to a terminating point. There are several types of networks, including WAN, LAN, and VPN. The definition and scope of a telecommunications network will continue to change and expand.
A telecommunications network is a collection of nodes and links capable of carrying audio, video and data communications. While the term was once used to refer only to the collection of switches and wiring used by telephone service providers to provide audio connectivity to residential and business customers, it is now understood to include Internet, microwave and wireless equipment as well as the more traditional forms of telephony . There are several classes of telecommunications networks, each with a slightly different focus.
The main function of any telecommunications network is to provide efficient transmission of information from an originating point to a terminating point. A phone call is the easiest way to figure out the feature. A call is initiated at a given point, with the signal routed through a series of nodes which may involve a combination of wired switches, internet relays and wireless nodes. The signal eventually ends up at a local switch, where it is then routed to the equipment used by the intended recipient. This process takes seconds and establishes a connection that allows the parties to interact in real time.
Several basic types of telecommunication networks are in use today. Along with the PSTA, or public switched telephone network, that most people are familiar with, there is also the Internet, an increasingly used medium for voice and visual communications. Private computer networks are a common tool in many businesses today, as well as many higher education institutions. These basic types are all classified into different categories, which include options such as wide area networks, local area networks, and virtual private networks.
A telecommunications network configured as a wide area network, or WAN, allows controlled but reliable communication between geographically dispersed nodes over large distances. Companies that operate multiple locations in a country or even around the world are likely to use this networking model. Government agencies are also likely to use this approach to maintain communications with branch offices and field staff.
With a local area network, or LAN, the goal is to provide the same secure communications as a WAN, just over a smaller geographic area. This type of telecommunications network provides telephony, data and Internet capabilities within a closed environment and from a limited number of devices connected to the network. An example would be a hotel, where phones and Internet access are all routed through a network located within the hotel. Connections to larger networks are only achieved by going through the LAN first.
Virtual private networks, or VPNs, are similar to wide area networks, but with one exception. This type of telecommunications network makes extensive use of the Internet to create and maintain connectivity. Security is established by granting users login credentials. These credentials can be used by any device capable of connecting to the Internet, but communications are encrypted so that the chances of a network breach are minimized.
As communications in general continue to advance, the definition and scope of a telecommunications network will also continue to change and expand. However, the basic concept will likely remain the same. As long as the form of communication allows for real-time electronic exchange of audio, video and data transmissions, there is a good chance that the communication method could be classified as a telecommunications network.
