Re: FCCs RFC for the Definition of Broadband

[Jack Bates <jbates () brightok net>]

Daniel Senie wrote:
> Before you get too hung up on the emergency phone thing, take a hard 
> look at the present day. The telcos pushed SLC gear out everywhere. 

I'm the network engineer for 12 ILECs. Over the last 10 years, I've seen 
several major outages (> 48 hours) where voice has been maintained. One 
ILEC was disappointed in not being able to maintain DSL as well (as 
DSLAM/SLC was separate). They've since developed a plan to solve that 
issue and to maintain DSL as well (just for those households that have 
power/generators themselves).

> If you want to make the emergency phone thing a part of the discussion, 
> then regulations need to exist AND be enforced, and penalties assessed, 
> for failure to provide such during power outages. It's not happening 
> today, so don't expect it in the future either.

That may be. I don't know what RBOCs do. The ILECs here are privately 
owned companies. They aren't publicly traded. They are a part of their 
communities. Don't get me wrong, profit is definitely on the top list, 
but not at the sacrifice of quality and reliability. When your daily 
life consists of spending time with your customers because it's your 
community, you do everything you can to protect your name and reputation.

A not uncommon statement heard when someone doesn't like the answer 
given by the helpdesk, "I'm friends with the owner. I'm going to call 
and complain to him/her."


Jack