ATM = Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Fast packet switching and multiplexing technology (cell-based )
Support the universe of services
voice, video and data traffic
Provides quality of service guarantee and reliability
Switch and multiplex user traffic by using asynchronous multiplexing
Asynchronous multiplexing => user traffic can be sent at any available time slot
Synchronous multiplexing => such as TDM, user traffic can be sent only at the assigned time slot(s)
Offers "bandwidth on demand"
Connection-oriented, no error correction for user traffic
error correction for user traffic is handled by the end user
the advantages are increased speed of switching and elimination of associated delay
Utilises statistical multiplexing
less bandwidth can be reserved than if bandwidth reservation would be based on the peak rate of the connections.
transmission cost saving is achieved