[BC] Telephone--what's a telephone?

[Tom Osenkowsky]

Transitioning telephone to IP is simply progress. That said, I am not advocating any position or opinion. Modern consoles are IP based as are cable TV boxes, satellite receivers, even modern transmitters. Do modern telephones need 90V ringer voltage? No. Do they need rotary dial compatibility? No. CO battery? No.

While I agree that POTS is inherently elegant (doing a lot with a little), so was the Kettering ignition system and many other early inventions. The days of points, plugs, condenser, rotor and cap are gone. I've seen AT&T put generators at fiber nodes in the field during prolonged blackouts. Problem is, they have no way to refuel them! Yes, reliability may be compromised, but it is for the advance of technology (oxymoron included).

Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE