Comments on: Verizon runs into Vermont Regulators http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/ The Business of Technology Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:45:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Richard http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-803402 Richard Wed, 26 Dec 2007 08:56:47 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-803402 <p>My guess is that these POTS lines are too thinly spread to make a FIOS deployment (BPON/GPON based fibre tree) economic - Verizon's strategy must be to focus on upgrading customers to FIOS wherever possible, so to have these rural lines that can't be FIOS upgraded doesn't fit. Makes complete sense, though it's not great for people in rural areas who will be stuck with DSL, probably on long lines that give low bandwidth, and in some cases won't get broadband at all.</p> My guess is that these POTS lines are too thinly spread to make a FIOS deployment (BPON/GPON based fibre tree) economic - Verizon’s strategy must be to focus on upgrading customers to FIOS wherever possible, so to have these rural lines that can’t be FIOS upgraded doesn’t fit. Makes complete sense, though it’s not great for people in rural areas who will be stuck with DSL, probably on long lines that give low bandwidth, and in some cases won’t get broadband at all.

]]> By: Todd S. http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-799735 Todd S. Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:07:49 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-799735 <p>Those POTS lines are the future! What you miss is that those lines occupy the right-of-way necessary for something like FIOS. This is the furthering of the digital divide right under our noses. POTS lines are compelled to common carriage and non-discriminatory requirements by regulation while broadband is a comparative wild west. Often there is no franchise (assuming no TV or now its statewide) and definitely no USF. Vermont definitely was going to lose its future had this gone through.</p> Those POTS lines are the future! What you miss is that those lines occupy the right-of-way necessary for something like FIOS. This is the furthering of the digital divide right under our noses. POTS lines are compelled to common carriage and non-discriminatory requirements by regulation while broadband is a comparative wild west. Often there is no franchise (assuming no TV or now its statewide) and definitely no USF. Vermont definitely was going to lose its future had this gone through.

]]> By: megazone http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-799324 megazone Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:00:26 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-799324 <p>Verizon isn't a phone company - they're a communications company. And POTS service just isn't where the future, and the money, is. I can easily see why POTS lines aren't strategic for Verizon. POTS is old tech, and fading out as people move to cellular and broadband with digital phone services.</p> Verizon isn’t a phone company - they’re a communications company. And POTS service just isn’t where the future, and the money, is. I can easily see why POTS lines aren’t strategic for Verizon. POTS is old tech, and fading out as people move to cellular and broadband with digital phone services.

]]> By: Dave M http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-798952 Dave M Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:35:13 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-798952 <p>How can anyone from Verizon assert they have a strategic plan for anything. This corporation has the most inept management from top to bottom and will eventually run the landline business into oblivion! The only thing CZ is correct about is the cash flow they have and are trying to steal from the consumers of the three northern states like a thief in the night. Keep them chestnuts roasting!</p> How can anyone from Verizon assert they have a strategic plan for anything. This corporation has the most inept management from top to bottom and will eventually run the landline business into oblivion! The only thing CZ is correct about is the cash flow they have and are trying to steal from the consumers of the three northern states like a thief in the night. Keep them chestnuts roasting!

]]> By: Om Malik http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-798381 Om Malik Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:19:02 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-798381 <p>CZ</p> <p>As far as me saying the deal is over - I don't make that assertion. It is pretty clear from the post above. It is your interpretation of what I write.</p> <p>Happy Holidays</p> CZ

As far as me saying the deal is over - I don’t make that assertion. It is pretty clear from the post above. It is your interpretation of what I write.

Happy Holidays

]]> By: CZ http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-798365 CZ Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:11:25 +0000 http://gigaom.com/2007/12/24/verizon-runs-into-vermont-regulators/#comment-798365 <p>Om, My tree is trimmed and chestnuts are roasting! Verizon is NOT counting on this money to fund anything, including Fiber deployment. Our debt is very low and our cash flow is high. We have the capex already built into our funding plan. We are selling these lines simply because they are not a strategic fit for us given our broadband plans. Plus, we'll continue to be heavily invested in Vermont with wireless and enterprise. Also, you imply the deal is over... isn't by a long shot. Process just continues, as we noted at Policyblog on Friday: http://policyblog.verizon.com/policyblog/blogs/policyblog/davidfish9/409/-verizon-statement-vt-public-service-board-order-.aspx</p> <p>Happy Holidays! CZ</p> Om,
My tree is trimmed and chestnuts are roasting! Verizon is NOT counting on this money to fund anything, including Fiber deployment. Our debt is very low and our cash flow is high. We have the capex already built into our funding plan. We are selling these lines simply because they are not a strategic fit for us given our broadband plans. Plus, we’ll continue to be heavily invested in Vermont with wireless and enterprise. Also, you imply the deal is over… isn’t by a long shot. Process just continues, as we noted at Policyblog on Friday: (link)

Happy Holidays! CZ

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