Verizon Communications and AT&T (SBC), the two largest telecommunications carriers in the United States, see the unbundling of television packages currently being pushed by regulators as an opportunity to steal subscribers from the incumbent cable and satellite operators.
Both carriers have spent billions on upgrading their networks to support TV programming. At first blush it would seem like the unbundled, or � la carte, programming issue presents an additional hurdle as the two companies seek to establish their business models.
But both carriers seem quite amenable to � la carte pricing, even as the cable and satellite operators fight tooth-and-nail to nip the idea in the bud. �There is some feeling that this may be a differentiator for Verizon or AT&T,� said Verizon spokesperson Eric Rabe. �This could be something that either company adopts to differentiate themselves, but we are still examining our options in this area.�
Both carriers have spent billions on upgrading their networks to support TV programming. At first blush it would seem like the unbundled, or � la carte, programming issue presents an additional hurdle as the two companies seek to establish their business models.
But both carriers seem quite amenable to � la carte pricing, even as the cable and satellite operators fight tooth-and-nail to nip the idea in the bud. �There is some feeling that this may be a differentiator for Verizon or AT&T,� said Verizon spokesperson Eric Rabe. �This could be something that either company adopts to differentiate themselves, but we are still examining our options in this area.�