Brian Raaen wrote:
Hate to say it, but also some of the cost on the circuits can be blamed on uncle Sam. ATM circuits are currently tariffed that same way are voice circuits. These tariffs are not charged to Ethernet because it is a 'data circuit'. At least that was the case a little while back. ? Are you sure it's "Uncle Sam"? My experience is that voice tariffs are always cheaper than data; telco's mantra is still "I Smell Dollars Now".
The telcos were mightily pissed when we redesigned protocols to pass over voice circuits instead of requiring data circuits.
Usually, non-tariffed lines seem to be much more expensive, as the account manager says "Oh, that special order will have to be approved by HQ".
Strictly speaking, it's not Uncle Sam, but the PUCs who review the tariffs. I would view it fundamentally as a lack of competition. Who can provide ATM backhaul from central offices? In many cases just the incumbent. Roderick S. Beck Director of European Sales Hibernia Atlantic