The use of coaxial cable for business and municipal communications is increasing at an extremely rapid rate. It has been estimated that by 1985, three-fourths of all businesses will use nontelco services for at least part of their communication needs.(1) Many will turn to CATV technology to provide this service. Municipalities also view cable as a means to provide reliable, cost effective communications for civic needs.
Applications using cable for business and municipal communications are in operation but little documentation exists on what has been done and the reasons for its implementation. This paper will review three actual applications where CATV technology is used in the applications of: 1) Videoconferencing earth station links; 2) Municipal medical information network; and 3) Business communications.