FCC Axes Rules That Help Keep Your DSL Line Working The FCC is once again under fire, this time for gutting rules protecting users from losing access to their fixed-line broadband connections as companies like AT&T and Verizon shift their focus to wireless. As we've long noted, Verizon and AT&T have refused to upgrade millions of DSL customers they're no longer interested in. So for years they've been convincing states to gut regulations governing these highly-taxpayer subsidized lines, arguing that wireless connectivity will be "good enough" for many of these users.

But critics charge wireless still isn't a real substitute for fixed line connections, especially in more rural areas with spotty cellular coverage. So you might recall that the FCC under Tom Wheeler crafted a set of rules to ensure that when these telcos yank fixed-line DSL service from these markets, consumers aren't left in a lurch with only spotty and more expensive wireless. That was a notable problem in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, when Verizon refused to repair damaged DSL lines, instead offering users wireless service customers say wasn't a suitable replacement. With AT&T and Verizon eager to shift their focus to media, advertising and wireless, they've been lobbying the FCC pretty relentlessly to abolish these guidelines. And with former Verizon lawyer Ajit Pai now at the helm of the FCC, he seems very keen to oblige. As Ars Technica observes: quote: Pai's proposal, titled "Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment," would eliminate the functional test, claiming that it "deterred and delayed carriers from upgrading their networks." But without the functional test, carriers could declare that an area is served with technology that's good enough as long as mobile service is available, consumer advocates say. Carriers wouldn't have to provide fiber, and they wouldn't even have to provide fixed wireless services, which beam signals to antennas on people's houses and provide a more stable connection than mobile service. Subsequently, sixteen senators also Subsequently, sixteen senators also wrote a letter to the FCC expressing concern at the agency's plans to abandon the rules. Companies like AT&T have been very successful convincing states like Kentucky that if they eliminate the consumer protections governing these taxpayer-subsidized lines, miraculous broadband utopia will somehow spring from the cracks . In reality, groups like Public Knowledge, the NAACP, and the AARP have long argued the end result is going to be serious problems for folks that would prefer their DSL and POTS lines keep working."Under current rules, an incumbent carrier cannot discontinue, reduce, or impair service unless there is a replacement service that is as good as the discontinued service," notes a consumer coalition. And while the FCC is effectively gutting these protections, Ars notes that the FCC is playing word games to try and pretend that's not actually happening. The full Ars writeup of this latest FCC gift to the telcos is well worth a read.







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Most recommended from 69 comments



StuckOnVZDSL

join:2015-02-26

Pittsfield, PA 56 recommendations StuckOnVZDSL Member Then upgrade us This is a load of horse shit. You can't supply me anything faster than 3Mbps DSL, have zero competition, no cable alternative, no fixed wireless and now you want to make it legal to yank the DSL lines out and leave me with nothing but crappy, capped, overpriced wireless? Hope you burn in hell Verizon and Chairman Pai can kiss my Pennsylvanian Ass.

RR Conductor

Ridin' the rails

Premium Member

join:2002-04-02

Redwood Valley, CA ARRIS SB6183

Netgear R7000

29 recommendations RR Conductor Premium Member No, it's NOT the same Ma Bell The old Ma Bell was a regulated monopoly, one that actually innovated and was required to live up to certain standards, not get corporate welfare and thumb their nose up at America like today's "AT&T". Money is first to them, Democracy be dammed. The old AT&T LongLines had a saying, "Communication is the foundation of Democracy", that dedication is long gone. sims

join:2013-04-06 10 recommendations sims Member idk. It's ok with me if they want to drop all the pots and dsl lines but only if its because the lines are being upgraded to fiber.



Wireless is more profitable but currently it is not equal.



My house can only get POTS service considering it's over $50/mo (after taxes and fees) and everyone has cellphones it's a pretty worthless offering.



However we probably shouldn't be using that argument even if it was equal because that's saying hey we know service hasn't gotten any better since the spec was approved in 1998 but this new wireless service is just as good! Don't be pissed the service hasn't gotten better and isn't going to get better after 19 years just be glad we're willing to sell you anything at all.

TIGERON

join:2008-03-11

Boston, MA Motorola MG7550

7 recommendations TIGERON Member Take a look



Oh and btw, here are some pictures I just took outside about 30 feet from my home providing of evidence of Verizon’s WILLFUL NEGLECT of letting the once robust copper wireline deteriorate and not wanting to bring fiber to a large city that clearly can afford it.



Some of you think I’m crazy to advocate for the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island to force Verizon to sell off the remaining unwanted wireline to either Frontier, Consolidated, Windstream or even CenturyLink. If AT&T and Verizon don’t want it, GIVE IT TO SOMEONE else who does. I want those people who believe the wireless 5G bullshit hype to explain to me why in a wealthy middle class Massachusetts city it’s either Comcast who enjoys a virtual monopoly or Verizon offering shit DSL with as they put it “a required telephone line” in order for them to even bother giving you internet access that cannot deliver Netflix, Amazon Prime or ANY video streaming services.Oh and btw, here are some pictures I just took outside about 30 feet from my home providing of evidence of Verizon’s WILLFUL NEGLECT of letting the once robust copper wireline deteriorate and not wanting to bring fiber to a large city that clearly can afford it.Some of you think I’m crazy to advocate for the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island to force Verizon to sell off the remaining unwanted wireline to either Frontier, Consolidated, Windstream or even CenturyLink. If AT&T and Verizon don’t want it, GIVE IT TO SOMEONE else who does.

Anon06df9

@2600:1005.x 6 recommendations Anon06df9 Anon Poles? Right of way? If they're not furnishing DSL/pots and only using wireless, they shouldn't need row access anymore. Cities and counties should be allowed to allow others to freely use those "abandoned" facilities as they see fit. Welcome Google, Verizon, T-Mobile mom and pop, community mesh etc. SArcanine

join:2009-11-09

New York 5 recommendations SArcanine Member Guidelines? If they are guidelines, they can ignore them. Guidelines are not rules. Papageno

join:2011-01-26

Portland, OR 4 recommendations Papageno Member Will this also kill POTS? I'm 56 and still pay for a land line. I like that it still works in a power outage as long as I have an old-style phone to plug into the jack. So will this let telecoms kick us off them and make the only choice available from them VOIP? remusrm

join:2003-04-07

Frazier Park, CA 2 recommendations remusrm Member great Great, now my high speed internet of 1008up/144down will be 0up/0down.