Signalling is the life-blood of telecommunications and common-channel signalling is the key to providing flexible and cost-effective services to customers. This book commences with the basics of signalling and then unveils the complexities of common-channel signalling systems. The book is written to appeal to a wide range of readership. The novice can build up a comprehensive understanding of signalling by systematically making progress through the book. Experts in telecommunications who wish to understand the specialist subject can select appropriate text, guided by the chapter summaries. Experts in signalling will find the book useful in extending their knowledge of a very broad subject. The glossary cuts through the maze of jargon.

The book describes basic principles, channel-associated signalling systems and the CCITT Signalling System No. 6. However, the focus of the book is upon common-channel signalling and CCITT Signalling System No. 7 and the Digital Subscriber Signalling System No. 1 are described in detail. The latest techniques are explained including, for example, the form of signalling required for gaining access to remote databases. The interworking of common-channel signalling systems is also described.