hellraiser357

I have actually been installing the Alcatel and Ciena equipment that SBC is using to power this service.

The whole point of the LightSpeed project is moreso to bundle fast digital service, vs just giving you fast internet. The bundling includes, but is not limited to digital telephone, T3 speed DSL(vs the current standard of 1.544 MBpS), and digital TV. Bundling these services is actually much more efficient and cost effective for both the provider and the consumer. The benefit for the consumer, as you all can see, would be faster internet, clearer telephone, cheaper long distance, crystal clear digital TV and lower price to the end user.

Eventually, the telephone companies will be going to a totally IP based system, (as some already have) and the internet will be all anyone will need.

As far as fiber inside a house, I see that happening very soon as widespread practice, but will take time to introduce and become mainstream. Fiber to the premise is a reality, and will be very prevalent in the next 1-3 years. Copper, right now, is necessary due to the very high cost of producing light compatible equipment.

Remember, Fiber to the premise (FTTP) has been around since the late 80's (Southwestern Bell Apollo project, circa 1988, AT&T provided equipment, Richardson TX) and it's taken this long to get it together enough to get it widespread across the general consumer spectrum.