Verizon, Copper, Fiber, and the Truth

Alexander Graham Cracker writes "Starting last spring, reports began surfacing of Verizon routinely disabling copper as it installed its fiber-based FiOS service. We discussed the issue here a couple of times. In my experience, every time Verizon has installed FiOS at a friend's house, they have insisted they have to cut off the copper and move the POTS to the fiber. By doing so, they block anyone else such as COVAD or Cavalier from renting the copper for competitive access. Sources report that today, at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Verizon executive VP Thomas Tauke denied ever doing that. (The transcript should be up in a day or so. The AP coverage does not mention this detail.) I wonder if Rep. Markey's staff is interested in hearing from people who experienced Verizon disabling copper, and without notice?"

Comments

new president

[falconwolf]

I am guessing that it will require a new president who is not part of the establishment (perhaps paul or obama) who will do the right thing as opposed to what brings their party more money.

I don't know about Obama, but even if Ron Paul were elected, I plan on voting for him (again) if I get the chance, he couldn't really do much. Many of the laws allowing the cablecos and telcos get away with what they do are local laws. He may be able to have the FCC and FTC look into it however while I don't know how the FTC works, the FCC is made up of five members I think with three nominated by the president and the other two are from the other party.

Re:The monopoly IS the problem.

[k1e0x]

Bahh.. lobbyist ignore Paul.. they wouldn't even buy him a cup of coffee, because he refuses to vote for their laws. !!! Wait.. thats a GOOD thing! I would like to see lobbyist continue to ignore future President Paul. ;-)