A series of credit card issuers, card processors and telecommunications providers have formed the transaction Switching & Transport Services Industry Forum, aimed at streamlining the process of starting up new transaction switching services. Rather than the usual dedicated or private line services, the Forum is promoting a switched service based on Integrated Services Digital Network or Digital Data over Voice. The companies also plan to look at the possibility of using these technologies for other financial transactions such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode service and electronic benefits transfer programmes. Members of the Forum include MasterCard International, Visa International, First Data Resources, SPS Payment Systems Inc, BellSouth Corp, Ameritech Services, General Computer Corp, Nynex Corp and US West Inc.
