Last week, there were several sources such as Slashdot and Digg reporting on this Ars Technia article. In it, we get to hear about AT&T's COO, Randall Stephenson, tell us about how Verizon's new fiber rollout, and 15Mb Internet connections, are irrelevant. For example:

"In the foreseeable future, having a 15 Mbps Internet capability is irrelevant
because the backbone doesn't transport at those speeds," he told the conference
attendees. Stephenson said that AT&T's field tests have shown "no discernable
difference" between AT&T's 1.5 Mbps service and Comcast's 6 Mbps because the
problem is not in the last mile but in the backbone."

Now, it's an interesting point worth verifying... but easily proven false. As a Comcast customer, if his statement were true, I would not be capable of receiving downloads at full speed, I'd be getting no more than the 1.5Mbps he's discussing. In his defense, there are certainly sites out there where I don't see that sort of bandwidth. But, that's not even the norm.

I think I know why he bought the above falsehood up. It's not even because he doesn't want people using Verizon. Though losing customers would be a bit of a bummer for them, but I'm sure they'll have plenty who stick with AT&T DSL.

No, instead, I think the problem is pure jealousy. Imagine a COO of a huge company.... so large, that you're under constant scrutiny by all your competitors, each one eager to find a chink in the armor.

This COO is absolutally using their Internet service at home... and he's feeling screwed because the rest of the United States is going to be able to get a 15Mbps Net connection, and he's stuck on a measly 1.5Mbps DSL line.

I mean, I'd be upset to. Lets keep an eye out to see how long this guy sticks with AT&T :-)