Which factor is essential for maintaining communication system integrity?

Maintaining communication system integrity is primarily dependent on signal quality because it directly affects the clarity and reliability of the transmitted information. High signal quality minimizes errors, reduces noise, and ensures that data is transmitted without degradation, which is crucial for effective communication. Maintaining optimal signal quality involves the use of appropriate transmission mediums, proper configuration of the system, and regular maintenance to identify and eliminate sources of interference or degradation.

While cost efficiency, number of connections, and system age can influence a communication system's overall performance and deployment, they are secondary factors that do not directly dictate the integrity of the communication itself. A well-designed system with good signal quality can outperform older systems or systems with more connections that are poorly maintained, emphasizing the primary role of signal quality in ensuring communication integrity.