1. World problems
  2. Vulnerability of telephone systems

Vulnerability of telephone systems

  • Undependable telephone service
  • Lack of back-up telephone apparatus

Nature

Telephone companies are investing heavily in advanced computer systems to manage their networks. In general this lowers costs and makes calls connect more quickly, and permits a greater variety of voice and data services. However it also increases the degree of central control such that any failure, even at a local level, can have unforeseen widespread effects.

Incidence

In 1990 in the USA a small computer error at an exchange in New Jersey led to a major failure of a continent-wide telephone network over a period of 9 hours, during which 50% of the long-distance calls could not be made.

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems
Subject
  • undefined » Equipment
  • undefined » Systems
  • undefined » Services
  • undefined » Scarcity
  • undefined » Vulnerability
  • undefined » Telephone, telex, telefax
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    Last update
    Oct 4, 2020