[RVRC] AT&T to FCC: Phase out PSTN, POTS

[Drew Moore]

AT&T to FCC: Phase out PSTN, POTS
    Posted by: "Warren Montgomery" wamontgomery at att.net wamontgomery_2000
    Date: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:17 am ((PST))

>From USTelecom dailyLead
December 31, 2009
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/tTqQekeUBtpXvyCibvaECicNONKH


?AT&T to FCC: Phase out PSTN, POTS
It's only a matter of time before "circuit switched" wireline service 
disappears, AT&T told the FCC in a filing in response to an agency inquiry 
on transitioning to an all-IP communications network. "It makes no sense to 
require service providers to operate and maintain two distinct networks when 
technology and consumer preferences have made one of them increasingly 
obsolete," AT&T said in asserting that scrapping the old telephone system is 
critical to ensuring universal broadband access.

There's lots a bit more stuff if you go to the original story and follow the 
links.  No real surprise here, but some implications and questions:

Since before 5ESS was out the door I worked on various projects aimed at 
"the next generation switch".  Many always envisioned it as something you 
hitched POTS lines to and burdened it with all that entailed.  The real 
answer on Next Gen switch seems to be -- there isn't one. (at least not one 
with POTS lines and POTS features on it.)

The conversion is inevitable, but I do wonder about the timing.  Somewhere 
in one of the linked articles off that page it talks about the fact that 90% 
of customers have access to broadband.  That sounds nice, but the devil is 
always in the details -- "have access" doesn't mean "have", and 10% is still 
something like 30 million people, so I don't expect the FCC to just say go 
ahead and dump POTS and let those people fend for themselves.  On the other 
hand there are possibilities:

-  A cheapo converter box that connects your POS wiring to a DSL provisioned 
to support just the converter box for those who can get DSL but don't want 
data service?
-  A Cheapo mobile phone with a POTS like billing plan provisioned not to 
allow mobility?
-  Dumping of POTS service into a spin out company that uses aging circuit 
gear to support analog loops and adapts them to the new all IP core?

None of this would seem to provide a lot of opportunities.

Another question that comes to mind, is when AT&T offers only the same 
service as Comcast, Vonage, and a dozen other "over the top" providers, 
what's competitive edge will they have?  Yes, for those customers who have 
access to fiber broadband (U-verse) triple play, but I wonder what 
percentage of the AT&T customer base goes for this.  (I guess maybe it 
doesn't matter if those are the only customers AT&T makes money on)