Francis,
Have you considered that
- the Bell Operating Companies and the FCC are hardly on the best of speaking terms (they're at each others' throats, actually) since the Bells want into LD with a vengeance, and the FCC has done everything in their power to keep them out of it;
- the BOCs may want to use VoIP _themselves_ in order to circumvent the 14 point check list that they must now pass in order to enter _traditional_ LD services? (That may be a short-lived strategy if the new rules go into effect, though, or possibly one with diminished returns associated with it, but it is a way out for them, nonetheless...)
On this last point, what I do see concerning the Baby Bells in the press recently is that they are attempting to get Section 706 of the Communications Act invoked in their favor so that they can begin to build IP packet backbone networks (which would take them a flash to complete) so that they can, IMO, unleash a tidal wave of regional and long distance data services, including VPNs and VOIP!
I see where Southwestern Bell received too much in the way of subsidies. It would hardly suit their image properly if they were the ones doing the bitching to the FCC.
I see AOL statements of admonition, and I see where the president's office has something to say (waffling as it may be), and I see Sen. Stevens putting his two cents in. But where are the references to the Baby Bells which you repeatedly make a point of? The BOCs have never been shy about getting their names in the papers on issues like this.
I haven't seen any actual citing of any events, quotes, or company names, or those of individuals to support such assertions. I do see, however, repeated allusions to ACTA, a Long Distance Reseller Association... hardly congruent with your statements, since they pay the fees and they want the startups to pay them, too. I know, there is a ruse hidden in there somewhere, too.
But you are referring to the BOCs, not the LDs.
I'm not naive in this regard, and I'm sure that _someone_ is lobbying this cause to death... (possibly in addition to ACTA). It would be nice to know exactly who "they" are, since it is beginning to appear that a ruling would adversely affect many different segments of the industry, possibly even including the BOCs, at some point.
I'd like to see something more than monolithic references, in other words. Who are these BOCs you claim are doing all of this instigating?
Regards, Frank Coluccio
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