News

We like copper wire, DoD tells FCC

 

Commentators in the FCC's proposed technology trials proceeding continue to raise concerns. The <a href="http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7520928837">DoD warned</a> the Commission that a rush to transition from copper landlines to IP-based communications could upset the functions of key military and federal agencies... and no one wants to do that.
 
As the <a href="http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7520928837">DoD said</a>, both they and other security agencies "... currently receive (services) over wireline and TDM-based networks may not be available through wireless or IP-based networks." For instance, nearly all FAA air traffic communications depend on ordinary circuit switched (TDM-based) services.
 
The DoD noted that while it supports progress in communications, many key federal agencies
"continue to rely heavily on wireline TDM-based networks and services and will do so for the foreseeable future."
 
So, warned the Defense Department, not only would a transition to all-IP or wireless be "an enormous undertaking," but "... if such a transition is undertaken, it must be done in a careful and non-disruptive manner."

Commentators in the FCC's proposed technology trials proceeding continue to raise concerns. The DoD warned the Commission that a rush to transition from copper landlines to IP-based communications could upset the functions of key military and federal agencies ... and no one wants to do that. 

As the DoD said, both they and other security agencies "... currently receive (services) over wireline and TDM-based networks may not be available through wireless or IP-based networks." For instance, nearly all FAA air traffic communications depend on ordinary circuit switched (TDM-based) services. 

The DoD noted that while it supports progress in communications, many key federal agencies "continue to rely heavily on wireline TDM-based networks and services and will do so for the foreseeable future."

So, warned the Defense Department, not only would a transition to all-IP or wireless be "an enormous undertaking," but "... if such a transition is undertaken, it must be done in a careful and non-disruptive manner."

 

Technology Transitions Policy Task Force comment (Dept. of Defense, Jul. 8, 2013)