- Anti-virus defenses found "leaky". In a sample of 78,800 computers, nearly 1/3 of computers with up-to-date AV software were still discovered to be infected with non-trivial malware!  Learn More. 

 

- Public Wi-Fi networks used to spread browser cache poisoning attacks.

 

- Blackberry spyware discovered.

How can you safely and sanely protect your systems and business information? Let SynerTel design and manage an affordable, multi-layer security mesh that surrounds your physical and virtual networks.  Ask us for a free consultation!  

In what will be just the opening volley of a many year process, ATT filed a motion with the Federal Communications Commission late in 2009 to plan for the end of copper-based land-line service. Claiming "the future is IP and fiber" and "we're losing money maintaining the old copper wires", ATT wants to let the old stuff just rust away.

 

Whether you think this is a good idea depends a lot on who you are.

 

Have a fire or burglar alarm system in your home? or where your kids go to school?

Ride in hi-rise elevators often? Use fax machines to send documents?  Have an elderly relative who can't even manage an answering machine, much less a smart phone or VOIP?  

 

All these (alarms, elevator emergency phones, fax machines) are still far more reliable than VOIP -- especially in disaster situations. One huge reason: POTS lines do not require local power at the customer premises to continue operating. A huge set of batteries at the phone company powers the line.  T1 and fiber circuits generally require lots of power at the customer premises to function - and are considered more fragile in the event of an extended power failure, earthquake, fire, or other natural disaster.

 

Analog telephony devices are generally rated superior to VOIP for people with hearing challenges.  This includes most seniors.  In some cases, alarms and elevator phones are mandated to be on simple, no-fancy-ways-to-fail copper lines.

 

Abandoning the copper plant also gets ATT & Verizon a lick at their competitors. While divestiture specified that these 2 telecom giants (ILECs) had to share their copper plant  (for T1s, MPLS, dynamic IP circuits, etc.) with competing carriers like TelePacific, XO, PaeTec, Global Crossing, etc., currently they are not mandated to share their fiber. So letting the copper rust away is an attempt to cut the legs out from under many competitors who perform fiscally and technically far better than the ILECs.

 

Lots of this is politically based. Mind-numbing cross subsidies to keep basic phone service running are very complex at the state and federal levels.

 

Watch for lots of fun in Washington DC this year and next as this issue is lobbied, ruled, and legislated!

 

As always, SynerTel monitors communications regulation and legislation, and lobbies both directly and through national organizations such as CompTIA to maintain freedom of choice for our customers! Want to add your voice to the coming conversation with the FCC and Congress? Drop us a line and we'll keep you posted on a separate list!

For a complimentary assessment of your organization's IT and Telecom spending, practices, and resources, call Ben Stiegler at 415 746 1811 or email ben@synertel.com

 
Submit your answer here - enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Bar Bambino!

Check the March Sentinel for the answer and the winner!

 

 

January's Riddle Answer:

 

Q: Why did the skeleton cross the road?

A: He didn't -- he lacked the guts.