Dial M for 'Mergency

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So, copper's on the way out as the basis of telephony in 2025: the dial tone will officially be dead. No surprises there: it's been on the cards since the decision was taken back in 2017 to terminate PSTN and ISDN services and replace them with fibre-based VOIP (voice over internet protocol). This makes sense, given the speeds and bandwidth available using fibre technology, which is improving all the time; gigabit access now readily available on FTTP (fibre to the premises) - by the way, my current pet hate is the use of the word premise as the singular form of premises: wrong! - call me old-fashioned and pedantic if you like, but it just grates.

As to the Great Switch Off, the main issue that this throws up is the question of 999 calls to the emergency services. Currently available on mobile (coverage permitting) and PSTN (just about on tap everywhere), this service will be limited to mobile and VOIP after 2025. The problem is with this is that if you get a power outage which knocks your modem/router over, you'll be limited to the mobile network in emergencies and we all know how flaky that can be, especially in rural areas or on overloaded metropolitan networks.

The great thing about the old-fashioned copper network is that it's generally pretty robust - not perfect, but being analogue, it works even if it's noisy - digital is either on or it's off. Also, losing a single fibre doesn't just knock out a single customer: sobering thoughts if you're out in the sticks with no mobile coverage and a dodgy electricity supply. I'd lay good money that a small portion of the copper network is being left in for backup where national security is concerned though, just in case of a nuclear strike, solar storm or terrorist threat: let's face it, we've seen some pretty serious outages lately in (relative) peace time.

 

Comments

  1. Joe Stoner22 October 2021 at 13:55

    My position is that as MOST of us are on a wire connection and it WORKS without mains power it should be left in place as a relitively reliable back up for a system infested with Huaway kit that we KNOW is full of flaws (mostly deliberate by the Chinese who hide behind a facade of ignorance and corporate "independance") that are exploitable and they that are probably WELL practiced in emulation, so that when needed they can be "controlled" remotely. You only have to look at the huge "hotel" being constructed for Chinese workers at Hinckley Point C and it's megga security to know that we will not only be paying through the nose for its electricity but will be sway to an ageing Mao MkII making his "mark" on history.
    The WWW and diplomacy are truly world wide and we're leaving OUR doors wide open.
    I used to be a Scout and "Be prepared" is a GOOD motto in many circumstances!!

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