Rip,
I think that your following statement demonstrates a level of confusion that generally exists over this subject:
"...if Athm is required to lease out its system, then wouldn't this be good for Athm because of the revenues."
Where, when, has the focus ever been on ATHM, itself? The competitors want access to the MSO's facilities. While some would also want to ride ATHM's backbone (that's arguable, maybe), ATHM is pretty much in the clear on this one, except for the secondary effects that have to do with their threatened competitive advantage, should the others be allowed in.
Therefore, the contract life expectancies between ATHM and its various principals do not materially play into this, from what I can see. Those considerations are independent of whether or not the MSOs are forced to allow entry to others. Comments and corrections welcome.
Regards, Frank Coluccio |
