[SoftwareEngineer]

Very misleading title. And no, not because it has Obama in it.

There is no way POTS Copper lines dissapear in the next 4 to 8 years.

They will dissapear, no doubt, but in about 20 years. This country covers a continent and many locations will not get fiber or cable for decades to come.

If you dont believe me, try getting wireless service (much less 3G)in about half of Wyoming

[muawiyah]

At the same time I have 5 fiber optic lines available in my front yard.

I'm still waiting for copper DSL which was supposed to be available here about 2002.

[ASOC]

Even worse in Alaska - no copper, no phone.

One of the local ILECs is selling nakid DSL - you need a cell phone (an account really) to ge the service. At least they are trying to milk the last possible dime out of plant that was installed 20 to 30 years ago.

IF there is no current running thru the line (wet) all of the splice rot and the line is dead. ILECs will not replace the plant and CLECs would rather sell you a cable based link.

ME? I have all 3, but then I woked in the industry for a numbers of years.

For real emergencies, the family all have ham licenses....

[Cheburashka]

If you dont believe me, try getting wireless service (much less 3G)in about half of Wyoming

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Copper will die quickly where most of the population actually lives, and remain as legacy technology in rural areas. So technically you're right, but most of the population will not even know copper is being used anywhere.

[longtermmemmory]

I think obama is in the title because

(drum roll please)

OBAMA= free bailout money.