From: wb8foz@panix.com   
      
   On 3/15/22 1:58 AM, Fred Atkinson wrote:   
      
   > Networks are aging, parts are unavailable, and technicians are   
   > retiring. If your organization uses copper-based services, make a   
   > plan to eliminate them quickly.   
      
      
   It's not just copper Outside Plant being chopped. It's what it feeds:   
   Line cards on ESS/DMS switches. At least for the 5E, the software   
   licenses cost the LEC MANY dollars per month. And with many ports no   
   longer used vs. cellular, it's a big hit.   
      
   If instead of POTS you have FTTH {"FIOS"} where it's now Just Bits, it's   
   far cheaper. I've been told that all FIOS phone bits in the extended DC   
   region are hauled to Reston VA where a few U's of rack space takes care   
   of them.   
      
   There are services that don't easily convert. One is fire alarms,   
   another elevator emergency phones. NFPA has approved cellular   
   replacements for fire circuits, with some requirements.   
      
   In theory, there is a "POTS Replacement" market for cellular boxes that   
   the existing elevator POTS phone plugs into directly. But I've found   
   actual LTE/5G hardware to purchase as plentiful as polar bears in the   
   Gobi desert; there are, however, hoards of companies wanting to rent you   
   a "service" every month.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)