> Is this just one way for the NSA to be able to tap into the major backbone now by mandating this type of stuff? I'm pretty sure NSA manages to get access to

> Is this just one way for the NSA to be able to tap into the major backbone now by mandating this type of stuff? I'm pretty sure NSA manages to get access to backbones just fine without the benefit of policies that try to expand the role of fibre in the last mile. NSA has ample access to backbone fibre, both at exchange points and undersea (they have submarines). This is an utter red herring.