Editing ISDN (section)

=== United States and Canada ===

ISDN-BRI never gained popularity as a general use telephone access technology in Canada and the US, and remains a niche product. The service was seen as "a solution in search of a problem",<ref>{{Citation | journal = Computing Japan Magazine | date = September–October 1995 | type = article | title = ISDN: A Solution in Search of a Problem | url = http://www.japaninc.com/cpj/magazine/issues/1995/sep95/09isdn.html | access-date = 2009-06-05 | archive-date = 2011-07-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718194415/http://www.japaninc.com/cpj/magazine/issues/1995/sep95/09isdn.html | url-status = live }}.</ref> and the extensive array of options and features were difficult for customers to understand and use. ISDN has long been known by derogatory [[backronym]]s highlighting these issues, such as ''It Still Does Nothing'', ''Innovations Subscribers Don't Need'', and ''I Still Don't kNow'',<ref>{{cite book| first = James Harry | last = Green| title = The Irwin Handbook of Telecommunications | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=L1iJaXDV89gC&pg=PA262| edition = 5| access-date = 12 May 2012 | date= 26 October 2005 | publisher= McGraw-Hill Professional| isbn = 978-0-07-145222-9| page = 770}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| first1=Madeline | last1 = Bodin| first2= Keith | last2 = Dawson|title= The Call Center Dictionary: The Complete Guide to Call Center & Customer Support Technology Solutions| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=CTXhqkFDQKQC&pg=PA101 | access-date= 12 May 2012 | date= 3 January 2002 | publisher = Focal Press|isbn=978-1-57820-095-5|page= 227}}</ref> or, from the supposed standpoint of telephone companies, ''I Smell Dollars Now''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Idg9EcuKlT4C&dq=isdn+i+smell+dollars+now&pg=PA91 Telecompetition: The Free Market Road to the Information Highway], Lawrence Gasman, p. 91</ref>

Although various minimum bandwidths have been used in definitions of [[Broadband Internet access]], ranging up from {{nowrap|64 kbit/s}} up to {{nowrap|1.0 Mbit/s}}, the 2006 OECD report is typical by defining broadband as having download data transfer rates equal to or faster than {{nowrap|256 kbit/s}},<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.oecd.org/document/7/0,3343,en_2649_34223_38446855_1_1_1_1,00.html | year = 2006 | publisher = OECD | title = Broadband Statistics | type = report | access-date = 2012-12-10 | archive-date = 2011-05-27 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110527044720/http://www.oecd.org/document/7/0,3343,en_2649_34223_38446855_1_1_1_1,00.html | url-status = live }}</ref> while the United States FCC, as of 2008, defines broadband as anything above {{nowrap|768 kbit/s}}.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280909A2.doc | title = Statement of Chairman | first = Kevin J | last = Martin | publisher = FCC | place = [[United States of America|US]] | format = [[Microsoft|MS]] [[Microsoft Word|Word]] doc | access-date = 2012-12-10 | archive-date = 2011-10-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111017203347/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280909A2.doc | url-status = dead }}.</ref><ref name = "Engadget">{{Citation | newspaper = Engadget | url = https://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/fcc-redefines-broadband-to-mean-768kbps-fast-to-mean-kinda/ | title = FCC redefines "broadband" to mean {{nowrap|768 kbit/s}}, "fast" to mean "kinda slow" | date = 2008-03-19 | access-date = 2017-09-01 | archive-date = 2021-06-06 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210606030829/https://www.engadget.com/2008-03-19-fcc-redefines-broadband-to-mean-768kbps-fast-to-mean-kinda.html | url-status = live }}.</ref> Once the term "broadband" came to be associated with data rates incoming to the customer at {{nowrap|256 kbit/s}} or more, and alternatives like [[ADSL]] grew in popularity, the consumer market for BRI did not develop. Its only remaining advantage is that, while ADSL has a functional distance limitation and can use [[ADSL loop extender]]s, BRI has a greater limit and can use repeaters. As such, BRI may be acceptable for customers who are too remote for ADSL. Widespread use of BRI is further stymied by some small North American [[Competitive local exchange carrier|CLEC]]s such as [[CenturyTel]] having given up on it and not providing Internet access using it.<ref>{{Citation | publisher = CenturyTel | title = Internet Access service offerings | quote = You may not obtain Internet services over ISDN lines (BRI or PRI), dedicated circuits or special service circuits | contribution = Disclaimer | url = http://www.centurytel.com/Pages/Disclaimers/internetDisclaimer.jsp | access-date = 2009-06-07 | archive-date = 2008-12-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081225063242/http://www.centurytel.com/Pages/Disclaimers/internetDisclaimer.jsp | url-status = dead }}.</ref> However, AT&T in most states (especially the former SBC/SWB territory) will still install an ISDN BRI line anywhere a normal analog line can be placed.{{update|date=December 2024}}

ISDN-BRI is currently primarily used in industries with specialized and very specific needs. High-end [[videoconferencing]] hardware can bond up to 8 B-channels together (using a BRI circuit for every 2 channels) to provide digital, circuit-switched video connections to almost anywhere in the world. This is very expensive, and is being replaced by IP-based conferencing, but where cost concern is less of an issue than predictable quality and where a [[Quality of service|QoS]]-enabled IP does not exist, BRI is the preferred choice.

Most modern non-[[VoIP]] PBXs use ISDN-PRI circuits. These are connected via [[T-carrier|T1 lines]] with the central office switch, replacing older analog two-way and [[direct inward dialing]] (DID) trunks. PRI is capable of delivering [[Calling Line Identification]] (CLID) in both directions so that the telephone number of an extension, rather than a company's main number, can be sent. It is still commonly used in [[recording studio]]s and some [[radio program]]s, when a [[voice-over]] actor or host is in one studio conducting [[remote work]], but the director and producer are in a studio at another location.<ref name="Talkers 2013-03-28"/> The ISDN protocol delivers channelized, not-over-the-Internet service, powerful call setup and routing features, faster setup and tear down, superior audio fidelity as compared to [[plain old telephone service]] (POTS), lower delay and, at higher densities, lower cost.

In 2013, [[Verizon]] announced it would no longer take orders for ISDN service in the [[Northeastern United States]], signalling the beginning of the end for the technology in that region.<ref name="Talkers 2013-03-28">{{cite web|title=Verizon: No Longer Taking Orders for ISDN Service in Northeast Starting May 18|url=http://www.talkers.com/2013/03/28/verizon-no-longer-taking-orders-for-isdn-service-in-northeast-starting-may-18/|work=Talkers|access-date=April 6, 2013|date=March 28, 2013|archive-date=February 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203105609/http://www.talkers.com/2013/03/28/verizon-no-longer-taking-orders-for-isdn-service-in-northeast-starting-may-18/|url-status=dead}}</ref>