Definition: PSTN is the global collection of interconnects originally designed to support circuit-switched voice communication. The PSTN provides the traditional Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) to residences and many other establishments. Parts of the PSTN are also utilized for DSL, VoIP and other Internet-based network technologies.
The basic PSTN network link supports 64 Kbps bandwidth. In residences, the PSTN phone line carring this bandwidth is typically a copper cable. Traditional dial-up modems utilize nearly 56 Kbps of this bandwidth when connected to a phone line. The PSTN utilizes the SS7 signaling protocol.
Also Known As: Public Switched Telephone Network
