* What the FCC decision means to VPN users
The FCC has ruled that the phone companies that own copper phone lines don’t have to provide DSL to competing carriers, which could have an impact on the cost of corporate VPNs.
Since carriers that own the lines don’t have to sell DSL service to others, they presumably could refuse to do so or jack up the price if they continue.
In the first instance VPN users who connect to the Internet via relatively low-cost DSL will have fewer choices for gaining broadband access, which means less competition, which usually means higher prices. In the second case, DSL from competing carriers would still be available, but likely at a higher cost.
Current DSL providers are grandfathered for a year, and that means the competitive carriers are negotiating their new rates right now with the incumbent carriers. They have to jump on this to figure out their future business plans.
It is also the time for VPN users that rely on DSL to reconsider their options. They may have to make budget adjustments, and the earlier they know about that the better.
They should stay in touch with the competitive carriers that can provide the DSL coverage they need and keep abreast of negotiations for the new DSL wholesale rates. They should also search for alternatives – wireless and cable, for instance – that can provide broadband Internet access.
VPN users should also talk to the incumbent carriers. Perhaps they can negotiate favorable deals for throwing business their way. After all, these incumbent carriers offer other services that they might bundle into attractive packages.
For customers, the key here is to start looking now and to explore all options – so that when the new DSL landscape becomes clear, they aren’t left paying more than they need to.
