Interworking of text communications services and networks

The acceptance of new text communication services depends, in part, on whether interworking is possible with other existing or future services. The features of these services are basically determined by their communications protocols. Interworking is to be implemented by automatic facilities located in, or at the boundaries of, the telecommunications networks supporting the services. Aspects of these facilities, known as converters, include centralized versus decentralized siting and implementation, and the mode of operation. In addition, another factor influencing the functions carried out by the converters is the type of interworking. The interworking between the teletex and telex services is discussed as an example.