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here is the entire report copied and pasted:<br>
<br>
<h5>August 6, 2002</h5>
<nyt_headline version="1.0" type=" "></nyt_headline>
<h2>Phone Network Is Vulnerable, Report Finds</h2>
<nyt_byline version="1.0" type=" "><font size="-1"><strong>By JAYSON BLAIR</strong></font><br>
<br>
</nyt_byline> <nyt_text> </nyt_text>
<p> <img src="http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/dropcap/t.gif"
border="0" align="left" alt="T">
elecommunications networks in Lower Manhattan remain vulnerable to major
failures in the event of a disaster, even if it were to occur on a smaller
scale than the World Trade Center attack, according to a report scheduled
to be released today.</p>
<p> The report, compiled by a group of downtown executives, concludes that
a lack of redundant telephone and digital communication networks was a factor
in the loss of telephone service to thousands of residents and businesses
after the attack.</p>
<p> The report urges landlords and businesses to establish backup systems
that would include a wireless network. It also encourages telephone carriers
to set up systems that do not connect with the <org idsrc="NYSE"
value="VZ">Verizon</org> network, which provides most of the major communication
links in the city.</p>
<p> Carriers are also encouraged in the report to provide government officials
with detailed maps of their networks. The study was commissioned by the Alliance
for Downtown New York; the Real Estate Board of New York; the New York Building
Congress; and the Association for a Better New York.</p>
<p> Before Sept. 11, the report says, many of the 34,000 customers who would
lose telephone and Internet service on the day of the attack were convinced
they would not suffer a communications blackout in a major disaster because
they did business with multiple carriers.</p>
<p> But those customers did not realize that most of their lines, regardless
of the carrier, ran through a Verizon central office on West Street that was
damaged by the collapse of 7 World Trade Center.</p>
<p> "There is an education component to all of this," said Jordan Silbert,
a spokesman for the Alliance for Downtown New York. "There were other options,
and people were not aware of them. Instead, people were overly dependent on
140 West Street."</p>
<p> Lower Manhattan has the most densely packed communications networks in
the world. It is home to many major financial institutions and to important
government offices that include the F.B.I.</p>
<p> Verizon operates the largest telephone and data communications network
in the city. State deregulation has allowed competitors to enter the market,
but most of those companies lease lines from Verizon, which means almost all
the lines in the city run through the same conduits and switching offices.
The report recommends that other carriers build large networks completely
separate from Verizon's. One company, Con Ed Communications, has already installed
a fiber optic telecommunications network in conduits controlled by its parent,
<org idsrc="NYSE" value="ED;ED-A;ED-C;EDL;EPB">Consolidated Edison</org>
Company. But most other competitors have said such a move would be too costly.</p>
<p> John J. Bonomo, a Verizon spokesman, said it would be too expensive,
as well, for Verizon itself to build such a system.</p>
<p> "In a perfect world and with a blank check, these things can be done,"
Mr. Bonomo said, adding that customers can pay extra to have lines come from
multiple switching offices.</p>
<p> The report was prepared by executives from 13 large downtown organizations,
including the Federal Reserve Board, <org idsrc="NYSE" value="GS">Goldman
Sachs</org>, <org idsrc="NYSE" value="MWD;BDJ;BGS;BRD;BRX;BXB;CSQ">Morgan
Stanley</org> and <org idsrc="NYSE" value="DB">Deutsche Bank</org>.</p>
<br>
<br>
Sean Donelan wrote:<br>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="midPine.GSO.4.40.0208061506010.9091-100000@clifden.donelan.com">
<pre wrap="">
Does anyone know where I could get a copy of the report mentioned
in today's New York Times (registration required)?
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/06/nyregion/06TELE.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/06/nyregion/06TELE.html</a>
</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="$mailwrapcol">--
May God Bless you and everything you touch.
My "foundation" verse:
Isiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.</pre>
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