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Martin Nesenbergs and Peter M. McManamon

Abstract: This report presents an overview of the 1982 telephone network technology. Many physical facilities constitute the public switched telephone network. Their respective roles in support of voice services and related traffic are reviewed. Essential internal functions, such as accounting, timing, signaling, plus many others, are carried out by cooperative hidden subnetworks that exist within the larger overall public network. Engineering, operation and innovation of these facilities and functions will fall on all sides of exchange area boundaries.

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

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