OT - Hypothetics
Jay,
The kind of meddling that comes to mind is similar to what the FCC has proposed to the RBOCs (T/TCI, to draw the parallel) regarding their DSL (cablemodem) offerings.
The fed has proposed that the ILECs create separate operating units from which to deploy their own DSLs (ATHM, in this case). The other part says that the ILECs would unbundle their central offices and copper loop facilities (DOCSIS, wireline and head-end router elements) from the standpoint of a regulated entity (MSO).
The latter unbundled elements could then be made available to their competitors (ISPs) for their users' consumption.
This is nothing new. There's a similar initiative that speaks to a different, yet related "opening up" in the way of OVS, or open video services, for a program-grade TV delivery standpoint.
Forced into such a position, T would probably opt for something more lucrative an outcome, more in line with shareholders' interests. Like another round of spinoffs, something at which they've become successful in recent years.
I don't agree with the premises contained in the first paragraph above, but it, or something similar, seems to be a likely eventual outcome here. Or the alternative response by T that I've mentioned, to counter, or more likely, to preempt, it.
Disintegration is the unavoidable price or profit one pays or receives, depending on how they play it out, for being very successful, despite the high costs and the associated high risks they take, in the deployment of any form of common carriage. And lest there be any misgivings, the MSOs are heading for just that: Common Carriage.
Getting too successful cannot occur without entering into the realm of dominance, hence, monopoly status once again, when all weather vanes are pointing the other way.
And this isn't all bad for shareholders. Just ask those who now own LU and the other spinoffs of the original T. Comments welcome.
Regards, Frank Coluccio |
