Report: RBOCs Overbuilding Each Other

According to an upcoming Information Gatekeepers' report, "Overbuild: The New RBOC Advanced Access Architecture Strategy," Verizon is currently placing fiber cable for FiOS in AT&T franchise areas in north Texas. Verizon expects to start offering service in these areas in direct competition with existing cable companies and AT&T late in 2008. This is probably the first time that the RBOCs have directly competed with each other in residential services.

In June, the Texas PUC issued an order approving Verizon's request to extend its "State-issued Certificate of Franchise Authority" to 12 new areas immediately outside Verizon's Texas franchise and inside AT&T's franchise. Shortly thereafter, Verizon began extending fiber from its existing FiOS-equipped central offices to relatively nearby areas in these newly acquired franchise areas.