What is N-ISDN? What does N-ISDN mean? N-ISDN meaning - N-ISDN definition - N-ISDN explanation.<br /><br /><br />N-ISDN (Narrowband Integrated Switch digital Network) was an attempt to replace the analog telephone system with a digital one. Unfortunately, the standardization process was too long and regarding to the technology progress in this area, once the standard was finally agreed, it was obsolete.<br /><br />It generally uses 64 kbit/s channel as the basic unit of switching. It has a circuit switching orientation. Its major contribution was Frame Relay. It describes telecommunication that carries voice information in a narrow band of frequencies.<br /><br />N-ISDN basic rate is too low so for home as for business today. N-ISDN may be partly saved, but by an unexpected application: Internet access. Various companies now sell ISDN adapters that combine the 2B + D channels into a single 144 kbit/s digital channel. Many Internet providers also support these adapters. So the people can access the Internet over a 144 kbit/s digital link, instead of a 28.8 kbit/s analog modem link and for affordable price that may be a niche for N-ISDN for the next few years.<br /><br />N-ISDN is also known as Normal-ISDN.<br /><br />Narrowband refers to data communication and telecommunications tools, technologies and services that utilize a narrower set or band of frequencies in the communication channel. These utilize the channel frequency that is considered flat or which will use a lesser number of frequency sets.<br /><br />Narrowband is typically implemented in telecommunication technologies to carry voice data on a limited number of frequency sets. The size of the message sent via a narrowband technique utilizes lesser bandwidth than the cumulative bandwidth of the underlying channel.<br /><br />Narrowband is also used in sending audio spectrums that consume a restricted range of frequencies. The US FCC has allocated a specific range of frequency for mobile radio services based on narrowband that spans from 50cps to 64kbit/s.