<DSL for almost everyone?
Of course, says Bell Atlantic's Fred D'Alessio
Defers the question of universal service
Bell Atlantic will put DSL in essentially every CO and most DLCs, Group President Fred D'Alessio told me at the long distance press conference. He is clearly a believer, expecting half the internet users to switch over to broadband so fast I think I should keep his remark off-the-record for now. They're putting in three hundred more DSLAMs next quarter, and will be equipping DLCs this year as well. Deployment will at least double in 2000, to well over half the network. That's essentially matching the first stage of SBC's Project Pronto, offering DSL to 70-80% of their phone lines. He was not willing to match SBC's other commitment, to universally offer broadband to everyone in the territory.
DSL Prime thinks a universal service promise is both appropriate and practical for the Bells. Fixed wireless is coming to market at competitive costs, and can serve most of the 15-25% DSL doesn't easily reach. Within five years several technologies will be available for the last 5-10%. Less expensive remote equipment for fixed wireless or mini-DLCs are in sight, bonding IDSL circuits and various forms of repeaters have possibilities, and the few insolvable locations can be filled by satellite. Profitability may be limited at best, but the marginal costs of extending the network we believe will prove surprisingly low. Long distance approval may be more effectively obtained by promising universal service rather than the time-honored practice of buying Congressmen.>
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