Cringely, Robert (2007). When Elephants Dance: Get ready (finally) for faster Internet speeds at lower prices. Pulpit, PBS. July 20, 2007.
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20070720_002525.html
This article highlights a number of recent developments in the U.S. telecom industry that should lead to faster speed connections for lower prices. These developments include: the acquisition of a national mobile phone company and a maker of IP telephony systems for business by Silverlake and TPG Captial; the release of Wi-Fi enable mobile phones; Verison’s built-out of fiber to the residential and business markets, and increased DSL speeds to its customers that don’t have fiber access; competition between Sprint, AT&T, and MCI for the Internet market; competition between cable and telephone companies for each other’s markets; and, the fact that telcos are not required to share fiber facilities with competitors, as they were required to share copper infrastructure under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The focus of this article is on the telecommunications industry, and does not consider the impact that municipal broadband projects may have on the sector.
Also see the author’s website for clear and short weekly posts on developments in the U.S. telecommunications industry, and links to additional resources: http://www.pbs.org/cringely/
