The year 2015 was a time again of transition and, arguably, disruption in the wireline segment on three fronts: regulatory, consolidation, and technology.
In the regulatory arena, the FCC’s passing of the net neutrality order that incorporates Title II regulation of the 1934 Telecom Act to classify ISPs as a utility has continued to stir debate. Perhaps not surprisingly, incumbent telcos — AT&T (NYSE: T), CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and their main trade associations the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and USTelecom — argue the new regulation will stifle network investment and create an air of uncertainty.
