Comment Municiple Utilities are dependent on the analog (Score 2, Informative) 426
Municiple utilities such as water and wastewater depend on analog lines (leased lines) to relay informaion such as levels, and to do simple switching of things on and off remotely. This obviously can be done over internet or cell connections, but there are hundreds of thousands of these connections across the country that would need to be replaced. If we were given a deadline of 5 years, it couldn't be done. And it will be a costly switch in hardware. Though lately the cell and internet solutions are cheaper monthly bills.