Switched communication network with bandwidth managers for achieving end-to-end data compression during transport

摘要

A switched telecommunications network includes a plurality of interconnected switching devices and a plurality of access bandwidth managing devices. A transmitting access bandwidth managing device is arranged to compress user originated data for transmission over the network to a receiving access bandwidth managing device. The receiving access bandwidth managing device is arranged to de-compress the received data for transmission to a receiving user. However, while the data is being transmitted through the network, it remains in compressed form, thereby minimizing the introduction of distortion and loss. Compressed data is transmitted through standard switching equipment by adding blank data to switched words, without decompressing the actual compressed data itself.