40% don't have access and a bunch more never use it. And that is including people who use VOIP and services like cable company voice services.
>In any event though, you're really missing the point here; the problem isn't abandoning copper. It's not providing an equivalent grade of service to one we've had for decades now.
We aren't owed a super reliable voice backup service. Especially if its not economical.
>You know how the push for net neutrality is gearing towards Title II classification for internet? That's precisely what they're trying to steer clear of; they still want to offer phone service, but offer it as an unregulated Title I service - much like the internet is classified right now.
Verizon is abandoning it and nobody is rushing in to take over. I wonder why? It's an unprofitable business. Are you going to invest your lifesaving's in a POTS service? Of course not.
>Technology is just the excuse being given to getting around Verizon's obligations as a common carrier.
Not get around it, Verizon is seeking to avoid being one. Unless you are willing to regulate the shit out of Apple's facetime, skype, google video, etc. etc, it should be no shock that Verizon wants out.
Buy an old flip phone if you want a back up for a major outage.
> 40% don't have access and a bunch more never use it. And that is including people who use VOIP and services like cable company voice services.
Cable and voip likely have more to do with bundling, and Verizon actively trying to force people to FiOS/off their network then anything else. They clearly aren't competing to modernize their DSL services to compete against cable, and as such, people have switched over to their internet service. Take a look at any thread with 'Comcast' in the subject line. I don't think I have to tell you people feel stuck with their services. Anyway, since bundling has become such a common practice, it's likely much more economical to buy phone service from them instead.
> We aren't owed a super reliable voice backup service. Especially if its not economical.
So let me get this straight - a service that the majority of the country has, and can be found in nearly every business across the country isn't economical? A grade of reliability we've had for decades isn't economical anymore? I suppose unlimited internet plans aren't either.
> Verizon is abandoning it and nobody is rushing in to take over. I wonder why? It's an unprofitable business. Are you going to invest your lifesaving's in a POTS service? Of course not.
Actually, Frontier, Fairpoint, Windstream and Hawaiian Telecom have bought out a ton of states Verizon used to provide service in, but okay. Verizon isn't selling the other states they still service; that's why we're hearing about them refusing to maintain their infrastructure. Not these other companies. Hell, from what I've been hearing, things have gotten better under their ownership.
> Not get around it, Verizon is seeking to avoid being one. Unless you are willing to regulate the shit out of Apple's facetime, skype, google video, etc. etc, it should be no shock that Verizon wants out.
Those are commodity services that operate over other peoples' infrastructure. Let me know the day when any of these services operate dedicated links between peoples' homes, and starts offering 911 services, faxing, circuit switched data transport, interactive voice response services, and the myriad of other things people use the phone network for.
40% don't have access and a bunch more never use it. And that is including people who use VOIP and services like cable company voice services.
>In any event though, you're really missing the point here; the problem isn't abandoning copper. It's not providing an equivalent grade of service to one we've had for decades now.
We aren't owed a super reliable voice backup service. Especially if its not economical.
>You know how the push for net neutrality is gearing towards Title II classification for internet? That's precisely what they're trying to steer clear of; they still want to offer phone service, but offer it as an unregulated Title I service - much like the internet is classified right now.
Verizon is abandoning it and nobody is rushing in to take over. I wonder why? It's an unprofitable business. Are you going to invest your lifesaving's in a POTS service? Of course not.
>Technology is just the excuse being given to getting around Verizon's obligations as a common carrier.
Not get around it, Verizon is seeking to avoid being one. Unless you are willing to regulate the shit out of Apple's facetime, skype, google video, etc. etc, it should be no shock that Verizon wants out.
Buy an old flip phone if you want a back up for a major outage.