At least 4 other providers face layoffs or worse. Each company has a similar strategy - establish a national broadband footprint and sell broadband in volume as quickly as possible. AOL is already distributing DSL self-install kits to computer stores around the country, and only the merger in Washington is holding back the big announcement, currently scheduled for next week. AOL signed up last year for a million lines from both SBC and Verizon. Sprint has bet the company on ION, which includes 800 COs of DSL with a big sales push coming in January.
Key offering is data and two or four voice lines, with added value tiers at a higher price.
DSL will be the main technology, although they are building out fixed wireless in some areas. Bob Visse's strategy to to expand beyond the MSN direct subscribers to the 210M around the world who access Microsoft on the Iinternet. Last week, he strongly reaffirmed Microsoft's support of NorthPoint. Worldcom has extensively trained their sales force to sell business DSL, and has contracted with Rhythms alone for 100,000 lines. CEO Bernie Ebbers in June said 2001 would be the year, and back in 1999 said they would be competitive for consumers as well.