Certainly, the demise of DirecTV has far-reaching effects. With around 175,000 DSL customers, mostly in California, this sends a clear signal about the viability of SBC's wholesale model for DSL. Of course, their ownership of more than 80% of the retail DSL market in the state also says something.
Independent providers are working hard to survive, and in many cases must deliver at higher prices or face the type of end that DirecTV has run into.
End-users can help by not supporting the cut-rate offerings from incumbent LEC affiliated ISPs - they're well below the wholesale loop cost for other ISPs, and have a chilling effect on competition. It's a bit like avoiding real fur or not eating veal - by not being co-opted by low introductory price offers from SBC/Yahoo and Verizon ISP, you can help save independent ISPs. Shop elsewhere - they've already got 80% of the market, and if we don't change the purchasing, we'll end up with a gray, ad-laden, PPPoE dynamic IP world.
Dane Jasper
President, California ISP Association, »
www.cispa.orgPresident, Sonic.net, »
www.sonic.net