Disasters and telecommunications network reliability.

Will the "Information Superhighway" be disaster proof?

The superhighway, when not spawning metaphors, is a network comprised of a variety of transmission lines that move information -- voice, data, video and imaging -- between virtually infinite points.

These transmission lines include twisted-pair cooper, co-axial cable, fiber optics and the wireless broadcast spectrum. Information can travel these lines in analog (wave lengths) or digital (alternating pulses) forms. In addition to expanding bandwidth, current compression technology gives existing lines greater capabilities to transmit information.

But the superhighway isn't just about moving information faster than ever. An equally important aspect is its reliability and its capability to self-manage and self-heal.

In California, the benefits of the telecommunications network have been severely tested and recently withstood two of the state's worst disasters: the fire storms of 1993 and the earthquakes of 1994. During the recent earthquake, GTE's central office switching system, Centranet, operated at more than 99% efficiency. Overall, the network kept families and friends in touch, and allowed business and emergency services to operate at a time of great duress. After the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake, GTE reinforced its central office switching equipment to exceed building codes by four times. This simple measure has meant that only one GTE central office has been knocked out of service for more than a few hours by an earthquake. During the San Fernando earthquake, GTE's Pacoima central office suffered some damage, but was up and running within hours. Today, 100% of GTE California's access lines use electronic or digital switches. The technology of these switches kept the central offices "on-line" when they were needed most. GTE was the first telecommunications provider in the state to reach this switching milestone.

These two factors: earthquake bracing and electronic/digital switching are two major factors in maintaining telecommunications during disasters.

NETWORK RELIABILITY

What makes a telecommunications network reliable? Elements that make any pathway reliable: dependability, speed, traffic control, and the ability to withstand unusual conditions. When it comes to a telecommunications network, all these factors must be in place to ensure basic and "superhighway" services. As indicated, earthquake bracing and GTE's 100% digital and electronic switching have made GTE California's network second to none. But that's only a starting place for what's to come in GTE's "World Class Network." SONET

Last year, GTE California announced the installation of advanced fiber-optic technology between 42 communities, giving customers access to the world's fastest digital transmission.

GTE already has eight major fiber rings and dozens of smaller rings in place. The company plans to literally saturate its service areas with similar rings in the near future.

SONET is an international transmission standard for carrying light signals over fiber-optic cable. It allows different equipment to connect with unprecedented accuracy and customer control. SONET rings form complete loops between switching equipment and customer locations.

These "self-healing" rings will dramatically improve network reliability by automatically rerouting transmissions in as little as 60 milliseconds, giving customers uninterrupted service if cables or equipment are damaged at any point on the rings. SONET rings are also flexible enough in bandwidth to handle any new transmission potentials of the future.

ATM

Yet another enhancement to the network is the installation of ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switches. GTE facilities in Santa Monica, Ontario and Long Beach already have ATM, with additional switches scheduled for other California sites in 1994. These switches handle simultaneous video, data, image and voice traffic.

Capabilities include: interactive distance learning among classrooms in different parts of a city or state; geographically distant employees sharing documents and images during video conference calls; medical experts n separate hospitals concurrently reviewing and diagnosing x-rays; residential customers picking movies form video-on-demand libraries.

TELECOMMUTING 

No network is invulnerable to all disasters. No disaster program will meet all circumstances, but preparation can still be the difference between total disaster and survivability. As the fires and earthquakes have proved, the telecommunications network can survive, and has survived major disasters.

The network GTE is building, and has built over the last few years, will ensure that business can continue operating during a disaster and quickly recover afterwards. Telecommuting is just one example of network reliance.

The networks are changing the way we do business, and the way we get to business. With the advent of telecommuting, business has been able to put the office into the employee's home or local work center using telecommunications lines. As a result of the San Fernando earthquake, businesses have begun setting up, and expanding telecommuting programs. This means even more reliance on the telecommunications network and its ability to provide these home offices, or local work centers, the information to work at remote locations. GTE has taken its own advice by setting up a satellite business office in Lancaster for employees who once worked in damaged San Fernando offices. In addition, GTE is providing its customers with a telecommuting package that includes the waiving of certain installation charges, and assistance on how to establish a home office.

Disaster will come. Telecommunications has been a key to quick recovery. GTE urges all companies to consider how telecommunications can play a part in the rebuilding process.

Mike Murray is a public affairs representative for GTE.