Goodbye to copper?

[dsr-mzpnVDyJpH4k7aNtvndDlA at public.gmane.org (Dan Ritter)]

On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 03:56:30PM -0400, Randy Cole wrote:
> Dan Ritter wrote:
> > Every time VZ puts in a FIOS deployment, they rip out the
> > copper. This is because copper is regulated and must be re-sold
> > to their competitors, but fiber is not. The next people to ask 
> > for a copper service (or a competitor) will have to pay for an 
> > all-new install.

> Copper lasts for up to 100 years or so, but I've been told that fiber is
> designed to last 20. Is this true?

We don't really know.

We don't really have any hundred-year-old copper lines in use.
Certainly the insulation is likely to erode before that, and
water in the lines can cause havoc. Glass fiber can eventually
break under mechanical strain, but so can copper. Exposed copper
will eventually oxidize, and copper oxide isn't nearly as good a
conductor as pure metal. This is worse because of skin effect, 
but not very much worse.

> I've also read that in Massachusetts you can tell them not to remove the
> copper and that they have to leave it in place.

There are several cases in which they have "accidentally"
forgotten that, and they have no duty to restore it.

> Jarod said he has Business FIOS instead of residential. Looks like the
> per-month cost ($49.99) is the same as residential, but they charge $99
> for installation and require 2yr instead of 1yr contract.

If you're going to get it, it's almost certainly worthwhile to
go business-class.

-dsr-


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