Question 4/III - Tariff principles for the leasing of international
transmission facilities intended for the transmission of data by digital
techniques
(continuation of Question 4/III studied in 1985-1988)

Reasons for the study

The considerable increase in requirements for high speed data
transmission has been partially met by the leasing of analogue
facilities, the applicable tariff principles having been incorporated in
Recommendations D.2 and D.3.

Current technological trends suggest that digital transmission will
become generalized both for telephony and for data in international
relations.

At this stage it would be desirable to continue, in the light of the
experience acquired by various administrations or RPOAs in the supply of
digital channels, the study of Recommendation D.8 with special reference
to:

- the level of performance inherent in digital techniques, making it
possible to offer new facilities;

- the coexistence of land and satellite systems, with significantly
different cost structures;

- the possibility of supplying non-permanent services (e.g. booking at
fixed times);

- the prospects opened up by the progressive integration of satellite
systems in digital networks.

Special attention should also be paid to work on ISDN tariffs.