FCC Denies Verizon Forbearance RequestApparently can't see the competition Verizon cites.... ( old news - 08:49AM Wednesday Dec 05 2007) tags: fcc · business · Politics · Verizon Online DSLWhen the FCC deregulated DSL back in 2005, they effectively killed line sharing, though telcos in some markets are still forced to lease lines to competitors at reduced rates. Verizon has been fighting to eliminate these requirements along the eastern seaboard, and petitioned the FCC for "forbearance" from the rules because they say these markets are now competitive. Verizon General Counsel Edward Shakin recently explained Verizon's push: "There's a tremendous amount of competitive choice in Boston in particular. Competition isn't going to be hurt by removal of these price controls. It distorts the market; it becomes harder to build service for everyone when there are subsidized services that are priced, oftentimes, lower than our cost to do it." Even the telco-friendly FCC, who frequently love themselves some telco deregulation, wasn't buying it. They yesterday denied (pdf) Verizon's petition, saying the FCC found "that the current evidence of competition does not satisfy the section 10 forbearance standard with respect to any of the forbearance Verizon requests." The change, which was opposed by consumer advocates and Verizon competitors alike, would have affected service in the metropolitan areas of Boston, Providence, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Virginia Beach by allowing Verizon to raise rates on competitors, potentially driving them out of those markets. Qwest and AT&T have been fighting for similar forbearance in their own markets.
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- Verizon Continues Proud History Of Denial
- The FCC Gets Bombarded With Broadband Opinions
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 JSRoman
Premium
join:2005-03-10
Callahan, FL | Coincidence? I'm sure this has nothing to do with possible investigation by congress of Martin's running of the FCC.
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»www.seabee.navy.mil | |
| |  | nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD
 ·Comcast
| Re: For once... said by whiteyonenh  :The FCC did something commendable. .... don't get too happy, I doubt they did it in the interests of consumers. more like what JSRoman said. | |
| | | whiteyonenh
join:2004-08-09
Keene, NH
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: For once... said by nasadude :don't get too happy, I doubt they did it in the interests of consumers. more like what JSRoman said. While I agree with you, it is somewhat more pro-consumer/pro-competition than if they got rid of the line-sharing requirement altogether. I believe it has already been said below, but if they were to get rid of the line-sharing agreement many companies would go out of business, as it is damn near impossible to get the rights-of-way to lay new infrastructure. The telephone companies, and the cable companies all pretty much have a monopoly on infrastructure, and even if the FCC said that the telephone companies no longer had to share lines with other companies, it would still be very unlikely that you would see new infrastructure built.
My question to everyone is if they were to get rid of the line-sharing, what would happen to all the small ISP's that don't have the money to invest in the infrastructure?
Telephone companies are just using this as an excuse to either eliminate line-sharing, or to be able to set their rates for line-sharing themselves so that they can raise the rates to levels that will not be profitable to the competition. It is very likely that if that were to happen the phone companies would put the little guys out of business.
Many local municipalities oppose the installation of new infrastructure, this is seen most often with cell phone towers, but could be applied to new infrastructure in general. Like what has been said below, would you rather they each have their infrastructure on separate lines, as that would be what would have to be done to succeed. Imagine 20-30x the amount of wires on telephone poles or underground, that would be a logistical nightmare to complete.
I think that the Utopia idea in Utah is actually a nice idea, put some sort of non-profit in charge of it, or some other entity that is not government controlled, and go wild. | |
| NewMariner
join:2005-06-24 | Isps Build your Own! I agree with Verizon....Why should they have to subsidize a competitor? If the other ISPS want to compete, then build your own network! Its as simple as that... | |
| | magilladke
join:2005-12-07
Collegeville, PA | Re: Isps Build your Own! sure if the gov't is going to give each DSL competitor money (breaks) like Verizon! | |
| | | | | hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Toledo, OH
·buckeye cable
1 edit | Re: Isps Build your Own! Telocity was bought by DirecTV not by Covad. But VZ wants to kill DSL's line sharing so they don't have a reason to build out FiOS/ FTTP. That's why they cherry pick. Not everyone is going to get FiOS and they know it and everyone else does to. So the markets that don't get DSL and the rates raised if VZ got what they wanted. | |
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PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by hottboiinnc :Telocity was bought by DirecTV not by Covad. But VZ wants to kill DSL's line sharing so they don't have a reason to build out FiOS/ FTTP. That's why they cherry pick. Not everyone is going to get FiOS and they know it and everyone else does to. So the markets that don't get DSL and the rates raised if VZ got what they wanted. Define cherry-picking, please.
I live in Prince George's County, MD (a majority-minority county). FIOS is available in over half the county (in terms of area); in fact, it's been available in some areas of the county for over a year. I live in an area where FIOS has been available for over a year (no, I do *not* have the service myself, though I know of no less than four people that do in this subdivision, including my neighbor, who just had FIOS installed Saturday), and we had *no* DSL penetration prior to FIOS. Not merely *very little penetration*, but *no penetration at all* (the DSLAM servicing us was never equipped for DSL). However, FIOS penetration here is fast headed to the point of saturation (as it is, we're one of only six households on this street that *doesn't* have FIOS). No single provider has ever garnered over half the households on any street in this subdivision for either HSI or video/TV (the video providers servicing the street are FIOS TV, Comcast, D* and E*), and some households have multiple providers for video (the mutliple-provider households usually have a mix of D* and FIOS TV). FIOS Internet penetration has already exceeded that of CHSI by far (even though CHSI has been available in the development for six years plus, and DSL hasn't been available at all). How is this *cherry-picking*? | |
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wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·BroadVoice
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by PGHammer :said by hottboiinnc :Telocity was bought by DirecTV not by Covad. But VZ wants to kill DSL's line sharing so they don't have a reason to build out FiOS/ FTTP. That's why they cherry pick. Not everyone is going to get FiOS and they know it and everyone else does to. So the markets that don't get DSL and the rates raised if VZ got what they wanted. Define cherry-picking, please. I live in Prince George's County, MD (a majority-minority county). FIOS is available in over half the county (in terms of area); in fact, it's been available in some areas of the county for over a year. I live in an area where FIOS has been available for over a year (no, I do *not* have the service myself, though I know of no less than four people that do in this subdivision, including my neighbor, who just had FIOS installed Saturday), and we had *no* DSL penetration prior to FIOS. Not merely *very little penetration*, but *no penetration at all* (the DSLAM servicing us was never equipped for DSL). However, FIOS penetration here is fast headed to the point of saturation (as it is, we're one of only six households on this street that *doesn't* have FIOS). No single provider has ever garnered over half the households on any street in this subdivision for either HSI or video/TV (the video providers servicing the street are FIOS TV, Comcast, D* and E*), and some households have multiple providers for video (the mutliple-provider households usually have a mix of D* and FIOS TV). FIOS Internet penetration has already exceeded that of CHSI by far (even though CHSI has been available in the development for six years plus, and DSL hasn't been available at all). How is this *cherry-picking*? Its funny how people constantly throw the term "cherry picking" around when they have no idea what they are talking about. In 99% of the cases, it refers to FIOS and the people are saying it simply because THEY cant get it! There are many lower income areas in the country that have FIOS, and in fact got it before higher income areas. I get so sick of the whiners on this site accusing companies of "cherry picking" simply because they cant pick up the phone and order a specific service. If there is an area that can be cost effectively served, while at the same time providing an appropriate rate of return, chances are it will eventually see the service in question. Thats not called "cherry picking", its called good business sense and it is driven by economics.
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время индейки! | |
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Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| said by NewMariner :I agree with Verizon....Why should they have to subsidize a competitor? If the other ISPS want to compete, then build your own network! Its as simple as that... So if 15 competitors each came in to build their, where the hell to you expect them to build it? Poles 5 deep from the street? Places with underground utlities would be real fun to watch getting deployed too. Yeah, just what anyone wants, 15 different companies coming in and tearing my street. Not to mention the fact of whether the PUCs would even let them. Easier said than done my friend. | |
| | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by Jodokast96 :Easier said than done my friend. So is line sharing and turning a sufficient profit. What is your suggestion? Let me guess, telecoms be a dumb pipe, leasing their cable to any ISP that wants in. Or, municipalities purchase the infrastructure from the telecoms and then they become the dumb pipe leasing to everyone? That sounds great, but it is easier said than done when you look at the financials involved. | |
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Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Isps Build your Own! No, but that way is more doable than everyone building their own. You know it and I know it, if another competitor came in and tried to build their own network using a duplicate infrastructure, they'd almost certainly not get approval. Somewhere you've got to find a middle ground, and it leans towards line sharing. The third parties aren't getting a free ride here, they still have to pay to even get in. Somehow the electric companies made it work. | |
| | | | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by Jodokast96 :Somehow the electric companies made it work. How so? I don't have a choice in electrical companies.
The answer is competition between wireless (3G/4G, WISP, WiMax, etc.), telecom, cable, satellite. You don't need 5 sets of cable hanging of off poles to have competition. And you don't need to share your infrastructure with competitors to facilitate competition. | |
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Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Isps Build your Own! Uh, yeah, in a lot of markets you do. The company producing the energy charges their supply charge and then the local company charges a distribution charge, which is the same no matter the supplier. Even if your local company is your supplier, the bill is broken down the same way. Similar to long distance. | |
| | | | | | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA | Re: Isps Build your Own! I've never had a choice of electric companies in the five locations I've lived in the states. | |
| | | | | | | | hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Toledo, OH | Re: Isps Build your Own! Most of the time you don't even know you can pick your electric company like your gas company in most areas. Electric companies stay silent the same as gas companies have been lately. | |
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supergirl
join:2007-03-20
Pensacola, FL
·Cox VOIP
·Skype
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southeast
·magicjack.com
| said by Jodokast96 :No, but that way is more doable than everyone building their own. You know it and I know it, if another competitor came in and tried to build their own network using a duplicate infrastructure, they'd almost certainly not get approval. Somewhere you've got to find a middle ground, and it leans towards line sharing. The third parties aren't getting a free ride here, they still have to pay to even get in. Somehow the electric companies made it work. I've lived in about 12 states in my life and never have had a choice of electric companies. Now, some places have Co-ops as their power co. that has nothing to do with the big power company. Of course, the Co-ops here in Florida were out of power 2-3 times longer after a hurricane. I was out 5 days after Katrina and the Co-op area east of here was out for about 3 weeks. Co-ops are cheaper as long as no hurricanes. And, the co-op nearly went bankrupt as well.
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Saving the world keeps me busy. However, I find Earth very primitive from my home planet of Krypton.
-Supergirl | |
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Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ | Re: Isps Build your Own! Quick search showed it in some form or another in NJ, VA, OH, TX, NY, MA, and PA. Not just for electric, but gas too. | |
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Mr_Northside
@nauticom.net
| Re: Isps Build your Own! Yes... but it's not total competition... It's only for "electric suppliers". Which for the average user means maybe saving a few bucks, or those people who want to purchase "clean energy" can select a company with windmills or some crap.
But if your power goes out, and you call your "choice company", they'll tell you to call the company that delivers it. This is where I think this competition is mostly "hype".
While everyone bitches about having to pay the electric bill, most people I know with serious complaints or issues have to do with service (power outages, customer service, etc...) At no point can you threaten these companies with taking your business elsewhere, because you're stuck with them | |
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Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Isps Build your Own! It's still not very different from line sharing. Another ISP is supplying you access and Verizon is delivering it. So yes, the local company or Verizon doesn't get totally screwed for building the infrastructure, yet other suppliers and the local company can compete on the supply side as needed. | |
| | | | | | informpage
Never Be Satisfied
join:2003-07-09
Forest Hills, NY | Well since you didn't have the choice, must mean it doesn't exist. (or more likely you weren't aware of it's existence). | |
| | | | 
ieolus
Support The Clecs
join:2001-06-19
Duluth, GA | That is EXACTLY the way to do it! | |
| | | | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA | Re: Isps Build your Own! Which, and who pays for it? | |
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ieolus
Support The Clecs
join:2001-06-19
Duluth, GA
| Re: Isps Build your Own! Who pays for the dumb pipe? Doesn't matter at this point... first priority is to make the correct decision to move to dumb pipes to all homes. We can worry about who pays for it after.
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"Speak for yourself "Chadmaster" - lesopp | |
| | | | | | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA | Re: Isps Build your Own! Actually, you need to worry about the "who pays" first, because guess what, nothing happens without money. | |
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wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·RoadRunner Cable
·BroadVoice
| said by Jodokast96 :said by NewMariner :I agree with Verizon....Why should they have to subsidize a competitor? If the other ISPS want to compete, then build your own network! Its as simple as that... So if 15 competitors each came in to build their, where the hell to you expect them to build it? Poles 5 deep from the street? Places with underground utlities would be real fun to watch getting deployed too. Yeah, just what anyone wants, 15 different companies coming in and tearing my street. Not to mention the fact of whether the PUCs would even let them. Easier said than done my friend. All companies (new, existing, future, etc.) are guaranteed access to public ROW by law. Thats not the issue, as any company is legally allowed to build a network. The issue usually comes down to cost; and do the new ISP's have the money needed to do so. We have seen time and time again that companies who chose to actually build their own infrastructure have done quite well, so it is very doable.
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время индейки! | |
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Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ | Re: Isps Build your Own! Keep thinking that the law would, in reality, allow them to get built, and I'll sell you my shiny new bridge. | |
| | | | | | | | | Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Pittsburgh, PA
| said by wifi4milez :[ All companies (new, existing, future, etc.) are guaranteed access to public ROW by law. Thats not the issue, as any company is legally allowed to build a network. The issue usually comes down to cost; and do the new ISP's have the money needed to do so. We have seen time and time again that companies who chose to actually build their own infrastructure have done quite well, so it is very doable. Obviously you're not aware of how government works in the Peoples Republic (one party system) of Pittsburgh. I expect that Verizon will eventually bring the availability of every FIOS service to every resident within the city limits of Pittsburgh but not without city politicos at the behest of Comcast making sure it takes a lot longer and costs a lot more than it should. Why doesn't Comcast have to line share? Fortunately I live in a suburb. | |
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See 10 replies to this post | |
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BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| said by NewMariner :I agree with Verizon....Why should they have to subsidize a competitor? If the other ISPS want to compete, then build your own network! Its as simple as that... Yes as somone else pointed out, dozens of companies continually digging up your front lawn or 50 bagillion wires hanging from a pole. REAL good idea.
Subsidize? Sorry those companies still have to PAY Verizon to use thier lines. Verizon isn't out anything. Show me where it says Verizon has to let those other companies use their lines for FREE?
Also if Verizon doesn't like the rules then they shouldn't get into the game in the first place. | |
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LiamJunket
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Ocean City, NJ
·Comcast
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by BF69 : Sorry those companies still have to PAY Verizon to use thier lines. Verizon isn't out anything. Verizon is out something when forced to resell at a price below their costs. In effect, gov't is mandating that Verizon SUBSIDIZE their competitors. | |
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sporkme
drop the crantini and move it, sister
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ
·Optimum Online
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by LiamJunket :said by BF69 : Sorry those companies still have to PAY Verizon to use thier lines. Verizon isn't out anything. Verizon is out something when forced to resell at a price below their costs. In effect, gov't is mandating that Verizon SUBSIDIZE their competitors. That's a complete myth. Their wholesale products (ISP buys backhaul into their ATM network, sells same product but with own IP, support, ancillary services) cost MORE wholesale than their loss-leader retail packages.
Their tariffed items like line-share or "naked" ADSL/SDSL are priced near the retail of buying full DSL service from them, plus they make money on CO co-location and power (figure near 5 figures for a single rack in a CO).
These generate more revenue per-line than their own retail products.
Note that they never produce any numbers when they make statements like yours that they "lose money" on wholesale stuff - that's probably true in the UNE-P stuff, but NOT for DSL. | |
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Mr_Northside
@nauticom.net
| Other companies and building their own infrastructure is the only way for real competition. In this day and age I don't think it would be as bad as having "50 bagillion wires" hanging. Not anymore. No one is going to build a competing POTS system necessitating huge trunk lines. It would either be some fiber-coax-hybrid or, if they're smart and do it right the first time, all FTTP. all of which can be strung together to look like one wire (or shoved thru conduit like Verizon does)
While some people may complain about the aesthetics of 3 or 4 or maybe even 5 (I doubt you'd get that much competition) companies having their own wires stringing about, it probably wouldn't look any worse than if you live near a CO where a lot of real thick wires branch out.
Admittedly, it would prove much of a challenge where wires are buried. | |
| | bjbrock
join:2002-10-28
Mcalester, OK
| Verizon got to where they are mostly due to regulations. In fact it is more reasonable to consider their infrastructure as being built by the rate payers and not by Verizon in a competitive market. This is the case with all the Telco's.
The government has guaranteed their existence through regulations. Their competitors need the same considerations.
Telco's have never had to compete in a truly competitive market and shouldn't be treated as someone who has. | |
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gaforces
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA
·Cruzio Internet
1 edit | Re: Isps Build your Own! said by bjbrock :Verizon got to where they are mostly due to regulations. In fact it is more reasonable to consider their infrastructure as being built by the rate payers and not by Verizon in a competitive market. This is the case with all the Telco's. The government has guaranteed their existence through regulations. Their competitors need the same considerations. Telco's have never had to compete in a truly competitive market and shouldn't be treated as someone who has. Agreed. Pacbell/SBC/ATT lowered thier DSL prices below what they lease thier lines at. The only way small ISPs survived it is by good customer service and branching out to computer repair, hosting services, etc.
Even if they are fortunate to be able to lease lines from Competitors, it doesnt seem like an ideal situation to be at the mercy of the opposition.
Let my local ISP who has proven that they serve thier customers well, replace the dancing, steroid muscled baby bell who has a monopoly from a 20-50 year old rollouts of aging copper and fiber.
PS Yes I am still angry that ATT/Yahoo jacked my DSL line.
»ATT/YAHOO Slammed my internet connection
--
‘Do ye, quieting in your bosoms your strong hearts,
Who of many good things have had your fill even to surfeit,
With what is moderate nourish your mighty desire; for neither will
We yield, nor shall you have all else as you wish.’
Solon | |
| | | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by gaforces :replace the dancing, steroid muscled baby bell who has a monopoly from a 20-50 year old rollouts of aging copper and fiber. The same 20-50 year old copper/fiber that you're "local" ISP uses to provide service? | |
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gaforces
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA | Re: Isps Build your Own! The fiber/copper/circuit/loop that they pay more for than At&t charges the public, yes. | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX | AT&T got tax breaks to put in much of the phone network that exists today.
Also every time someone tries to overbuild the incumbent sues the crap out of them. | |
| | | openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by NOCMan :Also every time someone tries to overbuild the incumbent sues the crap out of them. Really? Please provide some lawsuit references involving incumbents and competitors (not municipalities) attempting to enter their market. | |
| | | | viperlmw
Premium
join:2005-01-25
·Qwest.net
| Re: Isps Build your Own! said by openbox9 :said by NOCMan :Also every time someone tries to overbuild the incumbent sues the crap out of them. Really? Please provide some lawsuit references involving incumbents and competitors (not municipalities) attempting to enter their market. Yea, I'd like to see that, too. What has RCN's experience in this regard been like? | |
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fedupwithvz
@avradionet.com | So you want 15 different phone/cable lines coming to your house? Sounds kinda redundant to me. | |
| | 
DotMac
Shill H8r
Premium
join:2007-10-26
Huntington Beach, CA
| said by NewMariner :I agree with Verizon....Why should they have to subsidize a competitor? If the other ISPS want to compete, then build your own network! Its as simple as that... Oh you mean like how Pennsylvania taxpayers subsidized Verizon to the tune of $2.1 billion dollars?
When Verizon gives back the tax money they stole for fiber they never deployed, the FCC can consider eliminating DSL line sharing.
So long as Verizon wants to continue taking taxpayer money to fund their deployments, they can play by some simple rules. It's as simple as that...
Verizon can go shit in its hat. | |
| tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Floral Park, NY
| to compete or not to compete... Well, since the introduction of FIOS.. NOT ONE price for service has actually been lower than when introduced. I'd really say the honeymoon with the FCC is over.. now it's time to compete on that virtually level playing field they so desperately wanted. Sometimes getting what you ask for isn't everything it's cracked up to be.. | |
| atowncrazy
join:2001-11-17
Carrollton, TX | Level the playing fields Why doesnt that FCC make the Cable Co's do the same for ISP's via the cable co network? In most states Cable companies have larger broadband networks than the telco's do. If they really want competition that is what they should do. | |
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DotMac
Shill H8r
Premium
join:2007-10-26
Huntington Beach, CA | Re: Level the playing fields Telcos don't have to share fiber, only copper. | |
| 
Archivis
Your Daddy
Premium
join:2001-11-26
Earth | Should have rolled a Paladin. They get forbearance all the time.
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I melt faces. | |
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batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs: | Copper must die. FIOS does not have to be shared like CATV coax does not have to be shared. Copper must die.
Ma Bell is dead and she is taking every advantage of it. | |
| rody_44
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA
·Comcast
1 edit | people people people it was already mentioned but i will say it again. cable companies dont have to share the lines because tax breaks isnt what built them. the phone lines were built with tax dollars and thats why its a shared network. verizon may be losing customers but they are far from losing money. | |
| | xsiddalx
join:2005-03-11
Chicago, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
| Re: people people people said by rody_44 :it was already mentioned but i will say it again. cable companies dont have to share the lines because tax breaks isnt what built them. the phone lines were built with tax dollars and thats why its a shared network. verizon may be losing customers but they are far from losing money. Repeating something doesn't make it true.
I suggest you do a minimal amount of research into the origins of CATV and the Telephone Network. The telephone network was hardly a bastion of government regulation or tax incentives. Cable wasn't either, but was more likely encouraged to build out via exclusive franchises and mandatory basic service price regulation.
Not all inclusive, but decent enough for a free start for terrestial telephone:
»www.privateline.com/TelephoneHis···ory1.htm
Similar for terrestial Cable TV:
»www.cutler.maine.edu/mcsc/MPR/Vo···CRCT.htm
Both have been price-regulated at one time or other in exchange for certain monopolistic franchises. Both are currently in a state of deregulation, which is what the VZ petition was all about in the first place.
Telco's were originally built to sell long distance. They were loss leaders. CATV was originally built to provide television to rural areas where signal couldn't get to "community antenna tv".
Both businesses, as with any corporate entity, receive tax breaks. Tax breaks are not tax paid for. Look at sports stadiums for a great example.
Not my attempt to slam you, but you are obviously ill-informed about the topic you are discussing. There are political reasons, and court cases, behind the mandate to "share" networks. Cable has shared it's network in the past,
RoadRunner was a failed attempt. Telco has always shared it's network due federal policy after the breakup of ATT.
Sorta random, but feel free to read the links. Actually interesting to see how much politics are involved in these businesses. | |
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For once...