Facsimile/Internet integration can be considered in terms of two user service models, in order of increasing technical difficulty:
o Messaging (as with electronic mail) having high latency o Session-based, for observed delivery, with or without capabilities negotiation
Within these models, a real-time (telephone network replacement) based service is considered to be a subset of the session-based model.
For interconnecting fax services over the dial-up telephone network and carriage of facsimile message data over the Internet, two types of interface systems are required:
o Internet/Dial-up Fax gateway, moving data from the Internet to classic or Internet-aware dial-up fax products and services
o Dial-up/Internet Fax gateway, moving data from classic or Internet-aware dial-up fax products and services to the Internet
The dominant fax communications mode in use today is a session-based connection operating in real-timeover the dial up telephone network; hence an Internet-based direct replacement service would potentially save significant long- distance telephone charges. However, it is believed that from a technical standpoint this service is the most difficult task to produce over the Internet, whereas an messaging-based service is likely to be the simplest. In addition, it is anticipated that the two services will ultimately utilize at least some common technical components. Therefore, this working group will initially review and specificy messaging-based fax over the Internet, using as much existing practice as possible.
The working group will take the following steps to specify a core fax-related messaging service over the Internet:
Terminology: Develop a shared set of terminology and definitions, to ensure a common framework for participants having differing backgrounds in Internet protocols and facsimile telecommunication.
Data Representations: Review existing facsimile- related Internet data specifications and accept, modify, replace or augment them, with particular attention to their encapsulation, such as via MIME.
Addressing and transport: Specify the mechanisms for addressing and receipt notification for facsimile data carried via Internet mail.
For session-oriented operation, the following specification will be created, as a basis for further work:
Operational constraints: Detail the operational constraints for achieving session-oriented use of messaging, tailored for timely delivery with the sender waiting for delivery confirmation. Existing protocols and data specifications will be used as much as possible.
The working group will take note of quality of service issues.
The working group will coordinate its activities with other facsimile- related standards bodies.