The FAA has announced that it transitioned to a new telecommunications
network, replacing the Leased Inter-facility National Airspace System
Communications, or LINCS. More than 3,800 facilities were upgraded
with 20,000 telecommunications services in moving to the new FAA
Telecommunications Infrastructure – FTI.
"Moving to FTI is a key milestone to support a secure, high capacity
network backbone for the Next Generation Air Transportation System,"
said acting FAA administrator Robert Sturgell.
The agency said moving to FTI has brought it closer to a single, more
reliable network for transmitting voice, data and radar information
to air traffic controllers, and that the network offers enhanced
security services such as intrusion detection and encryption, and
reduces the operating costs for telecom services.
However, according to the National Air Traffic Controller Association,
the network "is unreliable, lacking suitable backups, and continues
to be a source of great frustration."
NATCA president, Patrick Forrey, called on the agency to re-engage
with the AFL-CIO-affiliated Professional Aviation Safety Specialists
and the NATCA regarding FTI.
PASS vice president Mike Perrone charged that the agency is "intent
on declaring FTI a success even if it means ignoring significant
issues with the program around the country" such as "unreliable
service, contractor errors causing outages and lengthy response times
by contractors and subcontractors."
The network began with an award to Harris Corporation in 2002 that
has grown to $2.4 billion, and now provides services to other
Department of Transportation agencies, DoD, the National Weather
Service and local and regional airport authorities.
