In today’s interconnected world, we expect our critical infrastructure to operate flawlessly. So when news broke that a single burnt copper wire sparked a 90-second air traffic control blackout at Newark Liberty International Airport—leading to eight consecutive days of massive delays affecting thousands of travelers—it highlighted a sobering reality: our most essential systems often rely on dangerously outdated technology.
The Cost of Clinging to Legacy Infrastructure
The recent Newark Airport situation reveals the cascading consequences of relying on legacy communications infrastructure:
- A mere 90-second radar and communications blackout created operational chaos
- Air traffic controllers required trauma leave due to the stressful incident
- Eight consecutive days of ground delays followed
- Flights were delayed by an average of four hours
- Hundreds of cancellations are impacting thousands of travelers
- Millions of economic losses for airlines and passengers
One Government official pointedly asked: “Why are we using copper wire in 2025? Have they heard of fiber?“
Legacy Infrastructure is The Hidden Vulnerability in Many Organizations
This airport incident exposes a vulnerability many organizations face today—critical operations dependent on aging Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines and copper wire infrastructure. These legacy systems weren’t designed for today’s demands and represent significant points of failure.
Modernization Without Disruption: The POTS IN A BOX® Solution
DataRemote’s POTS IN A BOX provides a forward-thinking solution that bridges legacy equipment with modern VoIP infrastructure. This innovative technology offers:
- Seamless Migration: Connect existing equipment that requires analog lines to modern IP networks
- Enhanced Reliability: Eliminate vulnerabilities associated with aging copper infrastructure
- Business Continuity: Maintain critical operations during telecommunications network transitions
- Cost Efficiency: Significantly reduces monthly expenses compared to traditional copper lines
- Future-Proof Operations: Prepare for the inevitable retirement of POTS infrastructure nationwide
Preventing Your Own Newark Moment
The Newark Airport incident should serve as a wake-up call for organizations still dependent on legacy communication infrastructure. Whether you’re managing emergency systems, security alarms, elevator phones, or other critical equipment relying on traditional telephone lines, now is the time to evaluate your vulnerabilities.
By implementing solutions like POTS IN A BOX, organizations can navigate the transition from copper to IP-based communications without compromising functionality or reliability—keeping their operations running smoothly while avoiding their own “burnt copper wire” moment.
Don’t wait for failure to force your hand in modernization. The future of telecommunications is digital, and those who prepare now will avoid being grounded by preventable infrastructure issues later.
