Is AT&T still around? Bell Labs is a long-faded memory at this point.
Brian?
AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
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Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#12We all know what to do at their next shareholder meeting.
Just wait until the FBI shows up at your door with a screenshot of this comment.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#13My top desire is that the FCC go back and do what Congress actually asked for in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, to make fiber and hybrid loops part of the require unbundled network elements offerings.
This infrastructure is so heavily subsidized. The FCC in 2002/2003, with some prompting from the courts, allowed fiber to be effectively an monopoly offering. Contrary to the law that Congress had passed!
> Elimination of ILEC unbundling obligation for new fiber-to-the-home loops. In order to encourage ILECs to invest in new broadband-capable facilities—fiber to the home in particular—the FCC ruled that ILECs need not provide such facilities on an unbundled basis to competitors.
https://www.dwt.com/insights/2003/02/splintered-fcc-modifies...
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#14My first thought is "ok well then give the cash to a company that is actually willing to do it". IMO Starlink would be the best option for these rural areas, simply based off the fact that they have a track record of providing broadband to very rural areas + they don't have to run any fiber to connect a new location. Starlink is very expensive though which is where I would expect a govt subsidy to step in and bring the cost down to around the cost of existing DSL for consumers.
EDIT: My comment failed to account for congestion on the Starlink network which other commenters have pointed out. Honestly after reading that I've concluded this is just a shit situation, fiber is expensive as hell to lay and Starlink poses congestion issues both for customers and up in space.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#15This thing where the government funds R&D for private corporations and then the corporations get to keep all the profits because tHey tAkE AlL tHe RiSk is pretty amazing. I'm a stockholder in several fortune 50 companies except my stock is non-voting, doesn't pay dividends, I don't get to pick which stock I buy and I don't ever get to sell it or borrow against it.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#16Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#17They should be required to return the money with interest.
I am a big proponent of claw-back provisions.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#18My first thought is "ok well then give the cash to a company that is actually willing to do it". IMO Starlink would be the best option for these rural areas, simply based off the fact that they have a track record of providing broadband to very rural areas + they don't have to run any fiber to connect a new location. Starlink is very expensive though which is where I would expect a govt subsidy to step in and bring t…
Does Musk need more government charity? He's made a lot off begging, we can see whether he puts more restrictions on companies that are non-viable without government handouts but considering most of his haven't been, I can't imagine it.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#19We all know what to do at their next shareholder meeting.
Fume indignantly?
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#20I guess it should have been fixed price instead of cost-plus.