Discusses how service providers can address the challenge of costs and the need for attractive services valuable to business customers. Focuses on Internet service control; applying intelligent networking features to the internet working services dilemma; and providing access control over network-based applications for Internet virtual private…

Reviews the current state of "one-stop shopping" for telecom services. Discusses regulatory obstacles; administrative problems with single billing; and resistance of telecom providers to change. Concludes that the leading one-stop shopping providers will be individual carriers who offer cost savings. (AEF)

Discusses changes and improvements in the integrated services digital network (ISDN) that have caused ISDN to reemerge as a viable, cost-effective technology for use in home and office workstations. Reviews changes in demand, standards, availability, ease of use, and cost, and displays a diagram of a typical ISDN terminal adapter setup. (JMV)

Synthesizes opinions of experts regarding technologies deemed most likely to enter the telecommunications mainstream by 1998, including: (1) the Java programming language; (2) voice- over frame relay; (3) virtual local area networks (LANs); (4) cable modems; (5) gigabit LANs; (6) Internet appliances; (7) personal satellite phones; (8) intranets;…