IP: re: A Better Network for Emergency Communications

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Jim Innes <Jim.Innes () AmericanTower com>
> To: "'mac () Wireless Com'" <mac () Wireless Com>
> Cc: "'farber () cis upenn edu'" <farber () cis upenn edu>
>
> Mike:
>
> I saw your posting to the IP list.  Although I did not see Hundt's piece 
> in the NYT, might he have been referring to the AUTOVON and AUTODIN 
> networks that were built and operated by ATT and Western Union 
> (respectively) for the DOD between 1959 and 1966?  AUTOVON was based upon 
> buried analog coax cable facilities interconnecting a group of approx. 50 
> "main station" tandem switching and power insertion site.  The main 
> stations generally consisted of 50,000 sf underground buildings, 50 psi 
> blast overpressure hardened.  Some of the 1st generation sites were 
> equipped with crossbar switches, but all were upgraded to analog 
> electronic switches between 1964-66. The system was turned down in the 
> mid-1980s.
>
> AUTODIN was a messaging network using analog microwave facilities 
> interconnecting DEC PDP based switching facilities.  Both AUTODIN and 
> AUTOVON were mainly accessed by LEC provided circuits serving military, 
> DOD, and executive command facilities.
>
> I work for American Tower Corp. which know owns 4 of the underground 
> former AUTOVON sites, and many of the above ground former microwave 
> stations.  One of my jobs is now disposition of these sorts of assets.  If 
> you or others would like to know more about this, don't hesitate to get 
> in  touch.
>
> Jim  Innes
>
> -----Original

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