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The telecommunications industry has been repeatedly turned upside down in the past few years -- and change continues unabated, in every respect: technology, business models, competition, and regulation. Now, one of the industry's most respected experts presents a systematic guide to the "new telephony": where telecom has come from, where it stands now, and above all, where it's headed. Telcordia principal and fellow Steven M. Walters offers exceptional insight into the current telecommunications "battlefield," comparing the strengths, weaknesses, and business models of traditional service providers and new providers focused on Internet technologies. The heart of the book is a comprehensive framework for evaluating any service provider's chances of success based on seven key indicators: financial muscle, current assets, current liabilities, corporate mindset, responsiveness to changing customer requirements, regulatory issues, and the overall economic environment. For everyone concerned about the future of the telecommunications industry and the next-generation voice services it may provide, including investors; telecommunications managers and staff; Internet ISPs; managers responsible for purchasing telecommunications services; and analysts.