How Telcos and ISPs Are Preparing For a Pandemic

alphadogg writes "Network operators and IT professionals already worried about how hurricanes and financial meltdowns will impact their work lives can add another potential catastrophe to their list of concerns: a global pandemic. During a panel sponsored by the FCC in Washington, D.C. this week, representatives from telecom carriers and ISPs discussed what steps they've been taking to prepare for the mass outbreak of a disease such as influenza, and also described the needs and challenges they would have to meet to keep communications up and running during a major global crisis. The most important tool at ISPs' disposal during a serious pandemic, panelists agreed, was that of network and bandwidth management controls."

so..

[Briden]

if a disease breaks out, they might not be able to filter bittorrent any more?

i find my self in the strange position of rooting for the disease now.

Re:Wait

[shadow42]

Obviously because the fight against online piracy comes before major health concerns. Who cares about a fatal illness when the guy next door is downloading Iron Man?

"Such as Influenza"

[Shade of Pyrrhus]

"Such as influenza" my ass! They're preparing for an outbreak of zombies! It's a global marketing test, in addition to a way of dealing with people who use too much bandwidth!

Re:Wait

[RDW]

'How, exactly, does a global pandemic affect a network?'

Basically, it comes down to all the 'viral' licenses that govern much of the software the internet runs on. To put it simply, the net behaves in much the same way as a series of tubes, which eventually become clogged up as the licenses proliferate. Luckily, Al Gore designed the Internet to survive even a nuclear war, so even a viral pandemic (interpreted by the net as censorship) can be routed around.

'Why would they need network management tools in case of such an event?'

This is of course the correct and universal response of ISPs to all eventualities. Too many people taking up that loss leader monthly deal? - Network Management. Customers actually using the bandwidth they've paid for? - Network Management. Rampant piracy detected by your friends at the RIAA? - Network Management. Catastrophic civilization-threatening hyperplague? - Network Management.

Re:same as any other business

[RealGrouchy]

We solved that problem ages ago.

We locked our sysadmin in the server room with a lifetime supply of canned meat and diet cola. The area is hermetically sealed, so no virus can get in to threaten the health of our network operator.

After the initial round of tests and a new sysadmin, we added a commensurate supply of oxygen and removed all paperclips and duct tape from the room. We're confident that our uptime will be immune to a global pandemic.

- RG>