Mike,
I, too, don't know what to make of the BT sale of the local loop. On the surface, thus far they've only discussed the twisted pair component. This represents the oldest and still agingest part of their inventory, primarily aimed at soho's and residentials. What of their wireless and fiber assets that also touch the last mile, albeit for other sectors? In addition to the fact that sometimes these facilities blur one another - as in the case of digital subscriber loops that are fed by fiber plant on one end and put out twisted pair on the other - many, if not most buildings where fiber is present, are actually fed by both forms of transmission media, both fiber and twisted pair, if not wireless on the roof, to boot.
Transfering the local loop would be a monumental proposition, given that most of the staff who currently maintain it would have to be included with the asset transfer. Automation and documentation notwithstanding, almost everything that goes on in the outside plant is documented in the wetware of line personnel and administrative clerks who manage specific buildings, locales and territories. Here I'm referring to everyone from the records clerk to the 'plant man' on location, to the field foremen and second line managers.
In a way, maybe to a great extent, those folks are indispensable to the ongoing functioning of the plant. Transferring these staff resources to a new entity would be an huge logistical and HR-intesne undertaking. Consider issues having to do with seniority, vesting, benefits, etc., and consider that a leaner, more-efficient takeover entity might not be so allowing of same. I would expect there to be a major labor relations issue here, if this were to move forward.
FAC |
