Telecom Factoid: This was state-of-the-art when the standard for “Toll Quality” telephony was defined

Yes, sir. That little beauty to the right was the current state-of-the-art in 1937. That’s when what we call “toll quality” calling was supposedly set down as a standard.

In fact, I find it hard to believe that the entire realm of telecom has lived with the paltry 300 Hz – 3.4 KHz pass-band of telephony for the past 74 years. It’s beyond embarrassing. It’s a flagrant violation of Moore’s Law.

That’s the curious thing about “standards” they have a lifespan like most things. In the early portion of that lifespan they provide a forward-looking goal, something that we can strive to achieve. However, in the trailing portion of their life span they restrain us, and keep us from achieving even greater things.

Add in a dash of not-quite-real-competition-because-of-monopolist-tendencies and you have a recipe for paralysis.

It’s the 21st century. We should demand better. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!