With digital connectivity, future subscribers will be able to exercise local and network services involving the routine delivery, management, and processing of information. Accelerated by rapidly advancing technology, the evolutionary process towards digital connectivity and integrated voice and data services in the network is underway. This paper describes the methods of integrating voice and information capability into the telecommunications network. The attributes of this network will include the availability of digital connectivity directly to the subscriber, the availability of a robust signaling means between the subscriber and his local switching office, and common channel signaling to implement all interexchange signaling. Issues of interest include an overview of digital subscriber connectivity, signaling and information structures for these kinds of lines, communications protocols, and general network considerations for the provision of information services. Partitioning of intelligence between intelligent subscriber terminals and controllers and their switching system is investigated. The use of message and virtual channel switching facilities to handle limited information rate services is discussed. Finally, an exploratory digital subscriber line under investigation at Bell Laboratories is described.

A 2-dimensional cellular general-purpose computer is specified. This particular cellular computer is distinguished from previously proposed, locally-controlled cellular computers in that the cellular structure is "hidden" from the user. At the ISP level, the machine is similar to a small-scale computer of the von Neumann type. However, the architecture of the computer does not feature physically isolated functional units to implement memory, processor, or control. As a result, we present a machine which may be programmed in the conventional manner, but which has the hardware advantages associated with the cellular structure. Additionally, the machine is controlled by a software microprogram, which lends itself to dynamic micro-programming and to such related applications as machine simulation.