Principles for a Successful IP Transition: Robustness and Resiliency

The universal service concept has, perhaps, most frequently been promoted as a way to ensure that all Americans have a way to contact the authorities in the event of an emergency to preserve life and limb. And, so, when it comes to using the telephone or any telecommunications service, a basic question is whether it will work. The public switched telephone network (PSTN), renowned for its reliability for both making and receiving calls, is powered internally so that it can continue operating even when power is lost for days. Moreover, it steers first responders to the address from which a call is made. The same can’t always be said for wireless or fiber-based networks that have battery backup, which often only lasts for hours before failing. To ensure public safety, consumers need to be able to rely on networks in emergencies.