The FCC hasnt put a moratoium on the use of copper. What they have done is stated that the phone companies dont have to share fiber that they lay. So people see them starting to lay out fiber so that they dont have to share it with anyone.
KoolMoe Aw Man Premium join:2001-02-14 Annapolis, MD
Of course. That question was not posed out of ignorance but to question the OP's statement, "The FCC has already limited its life span..." - which would more directly suggest some sort of limitation to its use as opposed to the true case where the lineshare regs have been removed (which does not inherently limit its lifespan, though it may help). KM -- Lake George Poetry
I believe that's what lightspeed will ultimately do with FTTN. If T offers VOIP in the future then they no longer need a copper feeder pair at the lightspeed RT. At a point in the future would the government require them to maintain copper plant they no longer need?
There's been some talk about requiring Bells to provide a post fiber voice grade path on a UNE basis, but that totally hoses any business plan dependent on leasing UNE loop for DSL.
Realistically, the amusing part of this may be watching the Baby Bell making fiber build out decisions based more on what shuts out Covad than on what makes sense in a competitive market.
While I have great sympathy for Covad, I'm perfectly happy to watch the whining Baby Bells chase Covad with blinders on while wireless and cable ISPs eat their lunch....
calvoiper -- VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies!
