phone BellSouth is the local telco in my part of the country. A big part of the country. Everyone, pretty much, still has a phone line with the local telco. Why? Well, there are several reasons. First, everyone has one. Second, if there isn’t cable internet service available in your location, you have no choice other than to contact BellSouth for DSL. Gotta have broadband. Then they got you.

Well, I have another situation, and it’s really annoying. Due to a security system in my home, I have to have a physical, connected landline with the telco. So, there I go - spending $30/month just for that line. I have broadband internet service from my cable provider, BrightHouse / RoadRunner and have a VOIP line attached to that. But I like to have backup. I can’t put the DSL on my primary BS circuit because you can’t have DSL on your security system line. So, if I want to have DSL, I have to put it on the 2nd line in my home. Only problem is, BS won’t let you have what is referred to as “naked DSL.”

Naked DSL is the term used for provisioning of a DSL circuit without a telephone line attached to it. At some point in the past, BS was ordered to provide Naked DSL to their customers within a specific geographic region, however that order has expired and BS refuses to give it to anyone. Anyone.

So, let me ask you this - if you can meet all your needs with the local cable company - why even use BS again? Ever?

Telcos, listen up, your days are numbered.

You don’t want to provide naked DSL - cause you don’t want to lose your grip on the local loop and provide phone service. I can get VOIP service for $20/month and get unlimited long distance to all of the US, Canada, Mexico and Western Europe. Yep, $20/month. Why should I pay $30 for a single circuit? I shouldn’t right?

Also, why does it take a phone call and 4-7 days for any changes to my phone service? Everything is real-time these days. It’s not like someone has to sit down and make physical modifications to my line in order for these new services to be added or removed. They make it seem like rocket science. But it’s not. With VOIP, I can puchase a router at a local store, then plug it in, go online and start the setup process and wthin 5 minutes I have a new phone ## live in my home. Even 2.

Want to change features, it’s a couple of clicks away and happens instantly. Why haven’t the local telcos adopted this ’self-serve’ model? Heck, I want to change my “no-answer-busy” call forwarding seeting - I actually have to Call BS in order for it to be changed - I can’t even change it online!

The local telcos are gonna die.
They will be selling their copper lines at foreclosure auctions, or leaving them to the public domain.

Before you are put out of business, I’d quickly evaluate your own offerings. Quickly.