Mntsnow
12-13-2004, 10:00 AM
Verizon Communications is backing down from plans to sell early next year high-speed Internet service without requiring a local phone line from the company.
A mass market launch near the start of 2005 seemed plausible last February when the carrier tested standalone DSL. But unspecified technical challenges have stretched that timetable, a Verizon representative said recently.
"It's December, and it's not ready at this time," a Verizon representative said. "We're still working on it."
The apparently mired launch highlights how Verizon and the three other major local phone companies are reeling from defections to cellular and Internet-based phone services. Traditionally, the so-called Bell companies sold DSL as part of a package with local phone service, and customers who switched local phone providers risked losing their DSL service. Read more at Cnet (http://news.com.com/Verizon+DSL+not+ready+to+go+naked/2100-1034_3-5488284.html)
A mass market launch near the start of 2005 seemed plausible last February when the carrier tested standalone DSL. But unspecified technical challenges have stretched that timetable, a Verizon representative said recently.
"It's December, and it's not ready at this time," a Verizon representative said. "We're still working on it."
The apparently mired launch highlights how Verizon and the three other major local phone companies are reeling from defections to cellular and Internet-based phone services. Traditionally, the so-called Bell companies sold DSL as part of a package with local phone service, and customers who switched local phone providers risked losing their DSL service. Read more at Cnet (http://news.com.com/Verizon+DSL+not+ready+to+go+naked/2100-1034_3-5488284.html)