As we've frequently discussed, AT&T and Verizon are in the process of going state by state gutting consumer protections on DSL and landlines in preparation of hanging up on users they don't want to upgrade. This has been pitched by the carriers as part of the "IP transition" and states are often told by killing consumer protections they'll see better and greater networks than ever.
In reality, many of these impacted users will lose DSL and POTS and only have the fixed-line choice of cable broadband or heavily-capped wireless. AT&T's latest success on this front is in Michigan, where they've lobbied SB 0636 to a successful 71-39 victory in the Michigan House.
While AT&T is trying to argue that disconnecting users from DSL and POTS will somehow create
more connectivity, a small number of groups and individuals appear to realize that losing DSL and POTS
will leave them with fewer choices:
quote:
AARP spokesman Mark Hornbeck said in an email that the organization "remains concerned that some people could be left without affordable, reliable phone service when this bill takes effect. Also, it does not provide the consumer protections that are in current telecommunications law." AT&T Michigan President Jim Murray applauded the move, which he said will help the communications company transition to a network built on Internet protocol and wireless technology.
The problem is that many users are clearly still using those DSL lines, contrary to what AT&T-paid editorialists would
have you believe. Severing them without offering a fixed-line alternative will leave those users hostage to cable companies facing even less competition than they did before. That means users are stuck between paying more than ever for cable broadband (assuming you can get it), or signing up for very expensive wireless with low usage caps (again, assuming you can get it).