Hello Marshall,
In addition to the elements you've cited, many of the other "rate elements" which individually make up many of the services, both physical and logical, are included here. For example, the outside plant part consists of a number of individual elements that can be unbundled. I don't know the exact number, because they were in a state of flux the last time I checked. But the feeder (from the CO to the neighborhood) is one, as is the drop line (the subscriber distribution pair from the pole or underground cross-connect, known as the serving area cross-connect/serving area interface <sac/sai>) to the residence, as well as various CO-based connection options.
[Note: the terms feeder and distribution are reversed when talking telco and MSO speaks. In telco jargon, feeder connotes the cable portion from the CO to the neighborhood. In MSO speak, feeder connotes from the pole to the home. Distribution in telco speak is the last mile loop, and in MSO speak it's the trunk between the head end and the neighborhood. I have a theory that suggests that this is but one, albeit subtle, manifestation of the rivalry that has existed between these two sectors from Cable TV's outset.]
One would think that the recent FCC ruling over shared copper loops would obviate the need for such unbundling for a great many subscribers needs. But from reports that I've read, there is actually very little uptake from the competitive DSL carriers (DLECs) here. They are not using the piggyback capability to any great extent that the ruling makes possible, in other words.
Frankly, I don't know the breakdown of how the competitive DSLs are getting to their customers (both residential and commercial) these days. Does anyone have any authoritative numbers that they can share in this respect? How many (by either actual numbers or percentages <both would be nice>) are taking the shared copper route, and how many are being supported by discreet loops?
I am about to receive my SDSL line this week from one of the regional DLECs. They called me cold on a promo about six weeks ago and promised me many good things. In order to get my 2 Mb/s [both ways] to me, they have ordered and installed a separate line from my ILEC, for which I don't pay anything extra... outside the cost of the service. The new loop is now in, and I am waiting for my router to be delivered. Anyone else here using SDSL at 2 meg?
FAC |
