New Networks Institute

Broadband and DSL Issues

New Networks Institute has done extensive research in the area of Broadband and DSL.

  • How the Bells Stole America's Digital Future (below) tells the story of the Bells failed fiber-optic broadband promises.
  • The Broadband Bill Of Rights is a piece of proposed legislation that attempts to fix the customer problems dealing with the roll out of DSL.
  • ISP and Competitive Issues covers the competitive harm by the Bells to companies trying to roll out services.

BROADBAND ROLLOUT FAILURES

As we enter the 21st century, the sparkle of our new fiber-optic future suddenly fades to a dull copper tone --- the color of the three-quarters of a century old phone network based on copper wiring that is still in use today.

Our fiber-optic future was supposed to be here by now. Starting in the 1980's and continuing throughout the 1990's, the Bells convinced state and federal regulators that if they changed laws to give them more money, they would use these funds to replace the aging copper network --- with a fabulous fiber-optic network and wondrous new applications. In fact, by the year 2001, more than half of American homes were supposed to have been upgraded to a glassy future ---- a future with very high-speed broadband.

Instead, the Bell companies have been able to keep the money in the form of higher prices for service. We estimate that over $50 billion dollars in excess payments have been collected in the name of Broadband.

We also contend that the downward turn of the Tech sector and thus the current financial recession was caused in a large part because the Bells never fulfilled their obligations, as well as the documented harm to competitors.

A Summary Report about the Bell's failed broadband deployments' impact on the tech sector: 

 A Summary Report, discussing the Bells Promises and the Bells' profits.

A compendium of Bell's Broadband Statements--- an rollout failures

A Complaint filed in Massachusetts, and our findings in New Jersey

Reports by third parties

 Broadband Customer Harm

Virtually everyone should be aware of the problems with DSL.--- and most of them are being caused by the Bell companies since they control not only their own product, but the health of all competitive offerings.

First there are the Customer Complaints. To read a few hundred customer complaints, see the NNI site site at:  http://www.newnetworks.com/alliance/signatures.php?view=1

Or or go to DSLreports and read the stories at http://www.dslreports.com

You can also go to Verizon Pathetic at http://www.verizonpathetic.com

Then there are the law suits: 

Then there are the articles. To see a compiled list see: http://newnetworks.com/articles.html

Here's just a few that New Networks has been involved with