You really can't compare U-Verse to FiOS as being left in the dust- they only complete in what? 2 or 3 towns? If 3?
They should be worried about cable; but many of those same people can't get cable either. at&t should just build out a fixed wireless solution and have at it. They've done it before under Ed in AK and I believe in AR. It worked, and its been proven to still work today.
