[OT] Verizon/FairPoint sale (was: Comcast!?!?)

[VirginSnow at vfemail.net]

> Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:00:48 -0500
> From: "Michael Costolo" <michael.costolo at gmail.com>

> I just wonder, if POTS went away tomorrow, what would that mean in terms of
> its effect on residents and commercial businesses?  I think it wouldn't
> affect me all that much because I have VOIP and cell phones.  But I think
> other folks here probably have a lot more insight.
> 
> Anyone?

If the keepers of the POTS up and vanished... wow.  What chaos, what
opportunity would ensue!

People would still want (or think they "need") their telephone
service, but there would be no shiny-logo company to take their money.
These would seem to be the perfect conditions for small-time
for-profit/amateur telephone operators to pick up the ball.

I can only imagine bands of Amateur Telephone Operators roaming the
streets, rewiring at will.  Oh, what fun that would be!  Up and down
the streets I'd go... until EVERYBODY had DSL!

Amateur Radio operators are entrusted with custodianship of a hefty
chunk of the radio spectrum.  Why not let amateurs get in on the wire
waves as well?  What a great deal that would be.