Posted on 11/14/2014 10:51:22 PM PST by Dallas59
The fallout from President Barack Obama's push to reclassify internet access as a public utility was immediate, and no one reacted faster the nation's telecom giants. Most issued remarks that characterized the move as a huge mistake, but AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson went one better -- as if on cue, he announced that the company was throwing the brakes on its fiber network rollout because it didn't make sense to sink a ton of money a network infrastructure when no one knew "under what rules those investments will be governed". Long story short, he wants AT&T to wait to build anything until it can get a sense of what the final rules will look like. Naturally, the Federal Communications Commission didn't take AT&T's maneuvers lying down.
(Excerpt) Read more at engadget.com ...
The Death Star did the right thing.
Unfortunately there are consequences to the economy, due this uncertainty and who will control their property.
More to this than just politics. AT&T is using this as excuse to muck with their deal re DirecTV. Otherwise, seriously doubt they’d remotely consider walking away from fiber because others will step in if they do (e.g., Verizon).
AT&T should tell FCC to ES&D.
ATT employee here. Don’t know what to think.
Yet another attempt to push by telcos for the FCC to regulate the internet as a public utility.
FCC (revolving door) plays along and pretends to “see an urgent need to regulate”.
Nope.
Rights of way are negotiated for years and the costs are built into the business plan.
Additionally, the costs to expand are astronomical and it would be impossible for Verizon to simply step in.
That, and service providers are protected and only two are allowed to serve each market or geographical boundary.
You have to negotiate with local municipalities, burgs, cities, counties, regional authorities, the state, Fed and FCC.
It’s not as simple as just stepping in to replace an already negotiated area.
For instance, you can have Verizon and ATT in a territory or Verizon and Comcast.
You literally have to tear up a road to install your fiber or acquire it from a service provider who has already installed.
Then you have to install B-boxes, runs to homes will bave to be decided all over again or just use copper for the last 500 feet.
For MDU’s they will have to be renegotiated, etc, etc, etc.
This a play to mitigate Fed control and onerous regulations that impair profitability and reduce incentive to invest in upgrades, as well, new technologies.
And Google. They’re working on a major rollout near me here in GA.
My feelings exactly. FCC was designed to regulate RF airways and usage in this country. They have far surpassed their original charter, IMO. Now, mostly just a bunch of political thugs.
Obama socialist policies = economic destruction
This is what big business does, first the ask for regulation of their own industry (makes it easier to consolidate and get bigger), then they ask the government to regulate other industries (gotta shutdown competition, “we’ve paid for our monopoly profits and we deserve to keep them.” CEO says to increase lobbying budget to pay off those greedy politicians.)
AT&T’s next move:
“We will NOT deploy our fiberoptic network until the rules are settled.”
“No financial analysis is possible when the rules are unknown.”
“We have a responsibility to our shareholders to maintain standards in the management of their resources.”
This is a reaction to the government's push for Net "Neutrality" which would prevent AT&T from charging big bandwidth users (NetFlix, Amazon, etc.) for their usage. If the telco's can't recoup their investment in infrastructure, they won't invest in it.
I have to agree with ATT. why put money out on something that has no WRITTEN directions?
Remember, it was the FCC that MADE all America get rid of their beloved old-style TV’s for all that digital stuff!!
Exactly. Now that we have cable, broadband and satellite radio they are looking for a justification for their continued existence.
-PJ
Yes. Government cannot stand freedom of thought. Always been so, always will. Here’s some history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licensing_of_the_Press_Act_1662
The Licensing of the Press Act 1662 is an Act of the Parliament of England (14 Car. II. c. 33), long title “An Act for preventing the frequent Abuses in printing seditious treasonable and unlicensed Bookes and Pamphlets and for regulating of Printing and Printing Presses.” It was repealed by the Statute Law Revision Act 1863.
The Act was originally limited to two years. The provisions as to importation of books, the appointment of licensers, and the number of printers and founders were practically re-enactments of the similar provisions in an order of the Star Chamber of 1637.
Printing presses were not to be set up without notice to the Stationers’ Company. A king’s messenger had power by warrant of the king or a secretary of state to enter and search for unlicensed presses and printing. Severe penalties by fine and imprisonment were denounced against offenders. The act was successively renewed up to 1679.
“Then you have to install B-boxes, runs to homes will bave to be decided all over again or just use copper for the last 500 feet.”
Was involved in FTTH right after the FMJ. Problem with FTTH (as opposed to FTTC) is powering. Can’t distribute “office battery” through a fiber so you can’t deliver life-line service (as you can over copper). Same problem you have with VOIP. You cannot guarantee that the phone will ring under all conditions.
Yep.
Which is why I like copper for backup...
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