The paper summarises the consolidated results of the collaborative research within Project RACE 1044 ‘IBC development and implementation strategies’. It is aimed at giving a comprehensive view of R1044 activities and achievements. The results of the activities of the five R1044 workpackages are summarised; more details will be provided in further papers. This paper provides a description of the role that R1044 played in phase I of the European Communities’ ‘Research and development in Advanced Communications Technologies in Europe’ (RACE) programme, and describes the general objectives, organisation, and results achieved by the project.