FCC Prepares to Set Rules for the Death of Copper POTS I've talked a lot about how AT&T and Verizon are going state to state gutting regulations that cover copper networks so they can back away from unwanted POTS and DSL customers they refuse to upgrade. Both companies have framed this largely cost-savings decision as an "evolutionary step toward the IP age," even if the real-world impact for many may involve losing DSL as a competitive option, losing reliable POTS lines, and higher prices and less competition for everyone.

Regulators (state level in particular) have been semi-oblivious to the concept that by letting AT&T Verizon just hang up on huge swaths of POTS and DSL markets, it will reduce fixed-line competition and leave cable companies in a stronger monopoly position to raise rates while twiddling their thumbs. All eyes have been focused on the shinier aspects of this transition and how wonderful LTE is -- even though with low caps and high overages, coverage issues and high prices -- it's no substitute for the reliable fixed connectivity many users will be losing. Enter new FCC boss Tom Wheeler, who this week blogged that the agency is going to finally start serious rulemaking on the PSTN transition in January. Whether the FCC will actually grok the potential pitfalls of a bull-rushed transition run primarily by AT&T and Verizon remains unclear; Wheeler at least shows he understands competitive issues are at play: quote: Commissioner Clyburn has called upon the Commission “to carefully examine and collect data on the impact of technology transitions on consumers, public safety and competition.” She is right, and this too, I propose to do. Still, even Wheeler's eyes seem transfixed on the shinier aspects of the PSTN transition (the potential for line bonding! fiber networks are expanding! Isn't LTE amazing?!) and not the reality for many (fewer options and less competition than ever before if they lose DSL): quote: The impacts on networks have already begun and will be profound. Fiber networks are expanding. Bonding technology is showing interesting possibilities with regard to the nation’s traditional copper infrastructure. Communications protocols are moving from circuit-switched Time-division Multiplexing (or TDM) to IP. And wireless voice and data services are increasingly prevalent, empowering consumers to connect at the place and time of their choosing. That this is really about AT&T and Verizon hanging up on millions of users -- and what happens to those users -- still isn't getting the attention it deserves. Not to belabor the point, but check out this isn't even mentioned . That's because the conversation is being Still, even Wheeler's eyes seem transfixed on the shinier aspects of the PSTN transition (the potential for line bonding! fiber networks are expanding! Isn't LTE amazing?!) and not the reality for many (fewer options and less competition than ever before if they lose DSL):That this is really about AT&T and Verizon hanging up on millions of users -- and what happens to those users -- still isn't getting the attention it deserves. Not to belabor the point, but check out this New York Times article as just one of many press PSTN coverage examples where the potential for a stronger cable monopoly across half of the country as unwanted DSL is discarded. That's because the conversation is being dictated almost entirely by AT&T and Verizon .Things could improve for consumer concerns once the FCC starts seriously engaging in PSTN transition rulemaking, but lobbyists have a several mile running head start on the issue.







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Most recommended from 77 comments

themagicone

join:2003-08-13

Osseo, MN 5 recommendations themagicone Member Another issue with the transition The part that gets left out is that they are not training new techs properly on copper line handling. I have spent so many hours waiting for a young tech to figure out how to setup a ground/loop start line. Once the mass of older techs start to retire we are in big trouble.