The bridging, or integration, of ATHM and RR would cause the government to go after T with a new agenda: Conspiring to Corner the Cable ISP Space.
Greater land mass coverage for the delivery of voice services is one thing, especially when it is couched in such a way as to be considered some kind of pioneering (maneuver) to foster in the medium of cable telephony.
But when you add the creation of what amounts to a virtual monopoly in the Cable ISP space, you are actually forcing the fed's hand, and they will have no recourse but to go after T, if for no other reason than to save face. And once that ball starts rolling it will attract every piece of lint along the way. The fed's recent demonstration of laissez-faire has been refreshing, but it can stretch only so far.
There are down sides from a technology standpoint which cannot be ignored, as well. While the integration of the two platforms is certainly doable, it would nonetheless be a very risky venture for them to take at this time. I say this from the standpoints of reliability and service assurance, because it would cause unavoidable disruptions of service and administrative calamities, at a time when ATHM can least afford such a lessening of reputation and esteem.
T should make what they already have work, first, and then proceed to test the envelope. Right now I'm not even sure that they know what the limits are of what they would like to make work. No, I wont mention the VoIP thing again.
[This reminds me of a Yogi Berraism I once heard. How did it go, again?]
Comments welcome, as always. |
