2 Wireless Groups Support Faster Retirement of Legacy Networks
The Competitive Carriers Association, which represents wireless carriers, supported an FCC proposal to speed up copper retirements in comments posted Wednesday in docket 25-208. But, the group warned, that step will have only limited success unless the FCC also addresses the IP transition. “Without addressing how voice traffic is exchanged between networks, the transition to IP will remain incomplete and the public safety benefits of network upgrades will be unrealized.”
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The Wireless Infrastructure Association similarly supported changes that would allow providers to more quickly retire legacy networks. For too many years, “a frozen regulatory structure has led to inefficient investment in backwards-looking technologies,” it said. “Wireless is competing, and winning, against wireline technologies (cable, fiber, and DSL) every day.”
But the Alarm Industry Communications Committee said its members remain concerned about the rapid shutdown of copper networks and have faced problems in the past when AT&T and Verizon cut off service. Professionally monitored alarm systems depend on telecom connectivity “to transmit alarm signals from protected premises to monitoring centers, which then coordinate with local emergency services,” the group said. The current regulatory framework “balances carrier modernization needs with public safety protections through notice requirements and Commission oversight that enables coordinated transitions.”