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FCC Abandons Linesharing, Kills DSL Competition

Posted by timothy on from the where-are-my-leo-sats dept.

raygundan writes "According to Reuters, the FCC today decided to greatly curtail the laws that force incumbent phone companies to share their lines with their competition at cost. This does not bode well for companies like Covad Communications who provide DSL using phone lines to bridge their data networks over the "last mile" to customers. The new rules do force line sharing as long as companies are willing to offer voice service, but this essentially states that if you are not already a phone company, you cannot offer DSL. The existing rules will be phased out over three years. There is still some hope, however, that a federal court might strike down the FCC ruling. Oddly, the news agencies seem to be reporting this as a minor change to the rules, rather than an end to all non-ILEC competition in DSL." The FCC's front page has links (luckily PDFs as well as Microsoft Word files) about the decision, including statements from each of the commissioners.

5 of 603 comments (clear)

  1. I agree, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    will this help me in any way to sell more drugs?

    Here is a photo of me:
    http://www.thewest.com.au/20030221/unassigned /tw-u nassigned-3-sto88685-pic17133.html

    please email me asap :
    lee.hughes@police.wa.gov.au

  2. Re:No DSL and no Jolt make Homer somthing, somthin by banzai51 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Sure. That make 2 of us. That's what? $500/month each?

  3. Even way down here we have FAILURE by DARTH+FAILURE · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    *DDHHHAARRRR* Though you were not attempting to gain first post honors, you have nevertheless discovered a way in which to FAIL IT. You will be denied the power of the DSL, and continue to LIKEWISE FAIL IT.

  4. Re:Interesting by commodoresloat · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    Interesting (Score:5, Interesting)

    Interesting.

    Coincidence? I think not.

  5. President Bush to the American Public... by Luxviaest · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    B!G !3u55l|\|u55 0w|\|z U! Brought to you in part by the Elite Hax0rs of America (LLC)