Jim Machi : Industry Insight
Jim Machi

January 2010

You are browsing the archive for January 2010.

Ah, So Why End POTS and PSTN?

January 27, 2010

Last week, I discussed reading the report AT&T sent to the FCC explaining why they support an orderly end of the POTS and PSTN network. One point they made is about transitioning funds that would normally support universal telephony service to support the broadband mandate. 
  Due to consumer movement to VoIP and wireless anyway, POTS and the PSTN costs per user are increasing every day. If you look at these networks as a fixed cost, and if there are fewer users, then the cost per user by definition has to go up. And AT&T is arguing that because of the current set of government regulations in place, the industry is effectively prolonging these networks and causing an investment shift away from broadband.

Hark! The End of POTS and PSTN!

January 20, 2010

Last week, I was traveling quite a bit and during some airplane time, I read AT&T's comments to NBP Public Notice #25, more easily recognized as comments from AT&T regarding "Hark!, the end of the POTS and PSTN Network!" I found it by going online and typing in some words similar to the words I hyperlinked above. Like me, I'm sure you at least saw some headlines about this since it got quite a bit of coverage. I decided to go read it myself and see what they sent in to the FCC. It's certainly an interesting read and I have to say AT&T makes some very compelling arguments about the end of the PSTN network.
  AT&T discusses an orderly transition and retirement of the PSTN.

The Geeks Converge and Hear About HD

January 13, 2010

Last week, I attended the Consumer Electronics Show to speak on the HD Voice Summit panel. My first impression of CES was frustration given it was just impossible to get broadband bandwidth from my hotel during "normal" hours. Too many geeks, like me, in one place, at one time, trying to do e-mail. Since I remained on Eastern time, I did manage to get some things done in the morning.
  At any rate, most of the participants during the day were in one form or another either endpoint manufacturers or service providers.

A Wi-Fi Happy New Year from Times Square!

January 6, 2010

I was in New York City a couple of days before New Year's Eve to check out the New York Christmas scene. I found myself walking through a tourist filled Times Square. Some celebrity was doing an interview there. I didn't look to see who it was because all I wanted to do was get out of there, since since all I could hear was screaming voices.
  In the midst of this I looked up and I saw a sign that said, "Free Wi-Fi now in Times Square." I couldn't believe it.
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