Intelligent Network (IN)

This paper discusses how the network has evolved from one in which switchbased service logic provided services to one in which serviceindependent advanced intelligent network (AIN) capabilities allow for service creation and deployment. As the IN evolves, service providers will be faced with many opportunities and challenges. While the IN provides a network capability to meet the everchanging needs of customers, network intelligence is becoming increasingly distributed and complicated. Local number portability (LNP) presents many issues that can only be resolved in an IN environment to meet government mandates. Also, as competition grows with companies offering telephone services previously denied to them, the IN provides a solution to meet the challenge.