 BOGBSPremium
join:2004-05-11
 ·RoadRunner Cable
4 edits | Lesser of two evils I'd love for Fairpoint to take over.. Especially with how much debt (~1.7b) they'd be taking on just from the deal. This would certainly allow Fairpoint to deploy what they say they are going to. 
Verizon doesn't like to maintain lines too much around here, but who knows how Fairpoint will work on this. They are going to need have some big capital to upgrade existing line conditions in the state. In parts they have fallen to disrepair, having gauge changes in several segments, bridge taps, excessive length copper loops, and many more issues. I would personally like to see someone with some higher capital invest, but that would never happen either.
It seems to be a lose/lose issue, just a matter of how much loss there is. It's not only the unions that have something to lose, there's certainly other parties involved. Although smaller in size, CLECs and other associated parties can/will be affected as well. It seems as if no one here likes unions. Although they can be a pain in the ass, they are at least helping the employees. Obviously there's other issues with unions, but if they don't look out for the employees, Verizon certainly wouldn't, and neither would Fairpoint. Fairpoint couldn't afford to simply look out because of the debt. That and the supposed new positions they're going to have don't sound plausible.
On the fiber topic... Why would Verizon offer fiber optic services anytime soon? It seems they're trying to deploy the service in more profitable areas. If it were to come to this region in any mass deployment, it would be after their existing areas are starting to gain profit, one would think.
Prices for telco service are already high enough from Verizon. Who is going to have to pay for Fairpoint's shiny new debt? The consumers, and the union employees who no longer have a contract who start making 15/hr or somewhere around that. Either that, or they go under. That's obviously a made up figure, but these employees are paid what they are for a reason, for the most part.
It's not all FUD, as some would say... It's also the economics of the deal, as well as other contributing factors. |
