THe telcos are in the midst of a major chage in technology - going from circuit switched equipment like the 5ESS or DMS 10 to a soft switch environment - the expense is now software and software engineerers (and OSP) vs 6 million dollar 5ESS platforms.
Add pushing DSL, Pay per view and so on and you see a very capital heavy investment period coming up - the down side is fewer and fewer workers will be needed.
Oh, and when a disaster hits your area, count on no phone service (other than cell service) for a loooong time - are the phones up in NO?
OSP plant costs are skyrocketing as local govt or utilities stick it to the telcos for right of way to lay new lines - the list can be very long.
Have fun
'are the phones up in NO? '
All wire Centers are back in operation with the exception of St. Bernard and Chalmette. Even Lake Catherine has phones.