Thank you, Dan. Very much appreciate the update. While obviously not a permanent solution, at least we have some breathing room for now. I so wish that Sonic could expand into my area. Unfortunately, my previous requests in recent years for guidance on how to assist in making that a reality have gone unanswered.
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Not to open a can of worms, but the telcom industry's efforts to end CLECs seems related. Cost of infrastructure & maintenance is certainly a factor (including for Sonic), but AT&T et al play a huge part in the greater picture.
I hate to use wikipedia as a source, but the
current page on ILEC/CLEC does contain some relevant info (see "Important FCC rulings" and "Proposed termination").
AT&T is in a state of even greater dysfunction and turmoil than I have ever seen, but they still seem dead set on detouring, decommissioning and dismantling the legacy and copper infrastructure wherever possible. In my and others' opinions, they have done some dirty tricks across the country to forcefully move customers off legacy or analog services so they can claim there is no "customer demand" for the old copper products and services, thus giving an excuse to shut them down.
This is all despite past and present examples of how rural areas and things like emergency services have been/will be impacted. The U.S. has a major divide between those who have, and those who do NOT have access to "broadband" internet. Our current crisis only underscores the point.