Originally Posted by
A310driver
...the radar and communications systems are integrated such that there is no practical difference from being handed off to a controller working another sector within a center boundary. What you imply ..... has no relevance in this discussion as it occurred wholly within the Brazil domestic system.
Yes the US ATC system is wholly integrated ( radars and comm, between major airports, TRACONs and Centers ) , but this is rather an exception and not the case in many , if not most, other countries, which bought their systems a different periods from often different manufacturers .
I do not think this whole integration apply for Brazil, but you can correct me if you have the facts of course.