Freeman, a consultant in telecommunications and system engineering, incorporates developments in telecommunications since 1996 into this fourth edition of a reference on telecommunication networks. There are new chapters on areas such as asynchronous transfer mode, broadband technologies, network management, voice over IP, and connectivities of PCs via servers and networks. Covering both North American and ITU-T practice, the reference explains concepts necessary for an understanding of the design of practical telecommunication networks, whether they carry voice, data, facsimile, telemetry, or video. The reference is for managers, technicians, engineers, and students. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)