...a backup to the Global Positioning System (GPS) for time and frequency transport and delivery. This initiative addresses the need to free North American communications networks from their critical dependence on GPS-derived timing. GPS facilitates the precise synchronization of networks operated by different network providers and provides a means of meeting national and international telecom network synchronization standards. Yet it is subject to potential compromise by jamming, spoofing or interference from other radio-based technologies. ATIS’ Copper/Optical Access, Synchronization, and Transport Committee (COAST) will consider alternatives to the current GPS-based system, including fiber-based time and frequency transfer solutions and terrestrial radio technologies operating in a spectrum less subject to interference. This initiative is a proactive, industry-driven effort to assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its investigations on this issue.