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Future Computer Networks If we look forward to the year 2000, based on historical trends computers will be about 500 times cheaper per computation than today. Almost all devices in the home, office or plant will have complex computers incorporated into them. Simple local area network facilities like shielded twisted pair will connect the majority of these together and a gateway will connect this local network to the public telecommunication system over 57 (hopefully a revised and truly integrated) ISDN facility.

Distinctions as to which device is the phone may become difficult because many of the device-computers may use the voice network from time to time for warnings, ordering, and certaintly in assisting us to find the party to whom we wish to talk. Phone service today is in great need of automation; we waste large amounts of time non-productively answering and calling to find people. Thus as the telecommunications network brings data and voice together home and office automation will integrate them. | larry roberts, the arpanet and computer networks, acm, 1986