NCS Guide to Assure "last-mile" Communications

Stay Up-to-Date with Alternate and Emerging Technologies

In addition to purchasing secondary services from a telecommunications carrier, or purchasing services from multiple telecommunications carriers, agency facilities should also consider using carriers that deploy alternative transmission mediums for their communications services. Free-space optics (FSO), WiMax, and satellite communications are three wireless technologies that provide not just redundant communications pathways, but also pathways which have vulnerabilities differing from those common among traditional lines.

 Satellite communications (SATCOM) are also a viable alternative to traditional wireline connections. Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites provide the global communications network with voice applications and limited data functions. Geosynchronous (GEO) satellites, though primarily used for data connections, can also provide voice connectivity using VoIP. Satellites traditionally connect with terrestrial networks through earth stations; in addition, satellite communications technologies are available that completely bypass traditional wireline connections and networks.

 Interface with Carriers

Identifying and interfacing with voice and data carriers is an important step in understanding an agency’s communications networks. For example, agencies may have procured unique service terms with communications providers in the form of Service Level Agreements (SLA) based on specific requirements, including availability and incident response times. All SLAs should be collected and included in the communications infrastructure knowledge base.

In addition to information contained in SLAs, carriers are the most valuable and accurate source of information regarding the physical connectivity and locational intelligence regarding the agency’s network. Combining information from all the carriers, an agency should be able to create a physical topology by determining key information such as the number lines (as opposed to the number of circuits) serving the agency, the redundancy of these lines, and the terminating location of the lines, such as a central office (CO) or point of presence (POP). To verify this data, the agency can periodically request validation, as carriers often “groom” circuits to balance network traffic. 

Carriers are often reluctant to divulge such information because they fear the exposed plans could pose a vulnerability to the safety of their networks. A good practice to alleviate a carrier’s fears when requesting information is to have the following: (1)  a letter outlining the intent of the data’s use and listing individuals that will have access,

Technologies are constantly maturing and emerging in the marketplace. The NCS can provide guidance on current and future developments and has several completed evaluations of emerging technologies.