User: eguerber

Re:EarthLink DSL

On: FCC Abandons Linesharing, Kills DSL Competition

(Does "packet switching" count? The document with the new rules [fcc.gov] says

Packet Switching - Incumbent LECs are not required to unbundle packet switching, including routers and DSLAMs, as a stand-alone network element. The order eliminates the current limited requirement for unbundling of packet switching.

but I don't know whether that's what's used by competitive ISPs.)

Don't know about Earthlink, but as far as Covad goes, according to this document, they have all their own switches, routers and DSLAMs in the CO. They don't care about the UNE-Platform ruling at all. The only thing they get from the ILEC is access to the copper loop. From the FCC ruling, it looks like they'll still have to offer unbundled access to the copper loop. The difference now is that they don't have to offer access to just the high frequency portion of the loop:

Line Sharing - The high frequency portion of the loop (HFPL) is not an unbundled network element. Although the Order finds general impairment in providing broadband services without access to local loops, access to the entire stand-alone copper loop is sufficient to overcome impairment.

So Covad's costs will go up in the future, but (hopefully) the speculation of their immediate demise are a little premature.