Phone companies lose broadband subscribers for 1st time

  • By PETER SVENSSON
    Associated Press
  • Tuesday, August 14th, 2012
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A Verizon lineman connects fiber optic cable in North Bellmore, N.Y., in 2006. In the second quarter, the landline phone industry lost broadband subscribers for the first time, as cable companies continued to pile on new household and small business customers. , thanks to the higher speeds they offer in most areas. Verizon Communications Inc., the country's second-largest phone company, has replaced its phone lines with optical fiber in some areas, letting it compete on speed with cable.

A Verizon lineman connects fiber optic cable in North Bellmore, N.Y., in 2006. In the second quarter, the landline phone industry lost broadband subscribers for the first time, as cable companies continued to pile on new household and small business customers. , thanks to the higher speeds they offer in most areas. Verizon Communications Inc., the country's second-largest phone company, has replaced its phone lines with optical fiber in some areas, letting it compete on speed with cable.