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Increased Bandwidth Irrelevant?

halbert writes "ArsTechnica has a story about AT&T COO Randall Stephenson telling folks that there is 'no discernable difference' between AT&T's 1.5 Mbps service and Comcast's 6 Mbps, because the backbone is slowing everything down. The main argument from the article is that fiber to the home is not necessary. How about letting the consumer decide that?" From the article: "This is a direct response to the criticism that AT&T has suffered for deploying a fiber optic network that reaches only to the local node, not directly into a customer's home--which means that the 'last mile' connection is still copper wire. Verizon, by contrast, is deploying fiber directly into the home, making for much higher speeds. AT&T argues that its model is cheaper, faster to deploy, and just as capable as Verizon's, which currently uses much of its massive bandwidth to distribute RF TV channels."

6 of 366 comments (clear)

  1. Deciding is hard! by feepness · · Score: 5, Funny

    The main argument from the article is that fiber to the home is not necessary. How about letting the consumer decide that?

    I'm sorry. I'm incapable of making important personal decisions.

    Isn't there a government agency that could decide for everybody at once, including me?

    Next you'll be asking me to choose a health-care provider!

  2. Re:Tell that to my Familly by MyLongNickName · · Score: 4, Funny


    Did I have first post?


    No. Apparently your cable speed is too slow.

    --
    See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
  3. Re:I have Verizon FIOS by DigiShaman · · Score: 4, Funny

    *ahem*

    Oh behalf of Slashdot, I have one thing to say. I HATE YOU!

    Ya, I'm jelous.

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
  4. nonsense.. by ShaniaTwain · · Score: 5, Funny

    What possible reason could he have for downplaying a competitors speed advantage?

    Along the same lines:

    a '86 dodge omni is just as good as a brand new ferrari
    rubbing alchohol is just as good as a bottle of wine
    pressing hard on your eyeballs is just as good as going out to a movie

    Just think of how much money you can save with this line of reasoning!
     
    ..good luck getting dates though.

  5. Time to retire Bill's quote... by Volante3192 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "640kbps ought to be enough for anybody" --AT&T COO Randall Stephenson

  6. Re:have comcast by Burning1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sounds like my first relationship. Let me tell you that even if you have a weak back-bone, a fat pipe can be a lot of fun in the right hands.