Regulations and Government
Washington Report: New Comm System Faces Challenges
Although a new VHF digital datalink communication system could quadruple channel capacity while retaining 25-kHz spacing, the FAA needs to ascertain if the

Although a new VHF digital datalink communication system could quadruple channel capacity while retaining 25-kHz spacing, the FAA needs to ascertain if the technology is sound, if it can be certified for use in the National Airspace System and whether it is cost effective for users and the agency.

The FAA is developing a future integrated voice and data communications system which it calls next-generation air/ground communications (Nexcom), and has estimated that the cost could reach $4 billion by 2023.