PERSONAL INTELLIGENT COMMUNICATIONS

Intelligent network technology can rapidly deliver highly featured voice services on a personal choice basis. In practice, the services are often too complex for end users to understand and control using a basic telephone. New services are being identified that encompass electronic information and messaging as well as voice. At the same time, computer vendors are adopting new techniques allowing computers to be used more easily, such as those employed in personal digital assistants (PDAs). All these developments are leading to significant changes in service concepts, howl services are accessed and controlled, and the terminal features available to both fixed and mobile users. This paper describes some of these developments and examines some of the implications for personal communications service implementers and end users.