It looks like Verizon currently isn't obsessed with "5G is the only solution" anymore. They are finally moving on the FiOS build in my area after starting, delaying, canceling, pushing 5G, and now re-starting FTTP deployment after 15 years of indecision. We only have GPON in our CO. It is likely VZ wants to pay off the GPON gear that was installed over 15 years ago with a full subscriber base before putting in new OLT's.
Absorbing Frontier confirms that VZ once again sees value in wireline operations. It does remain unclear what exactly Verizon's plan is for central offices that do not have FiOS service at all. In VA, they have started to deploy totally new FiOS to a handful of central offices that never had it under the VATI broadband expansion program. It's the first time I've seen VZ take grant money in VA. They normally would just leave it on the table because taking it would mean having to build something. There are still many VZ VA central offices without FiOS or DSL regardless of this positive change. Many of these markets are viable, and either already have modern service from a Cable provider or are in the process of getting overbuilt by a 3rd party CLEC with FTTP.
AT&T made their plans pretty clear for wireline areas that will never get FTTP upgrades - they are killing off the last mile and going 5G only. They basically put a bullet through the head of universal service and what little is left of the Bell System legacy. While the number of impacted customers and premises passed is a minority of their overall footprint, it represents 50% of their wireline coverage area. This is being protested at the FCC, but it will likely go through.
Verizon is likely monitoring the outcome of AT&T's request to abandon the footprint they have no vision or use for any longer and will use this outcome to decide what exactly to do with the remaining scrap.
My prediction? Verizon will mirror AT&T and slate nearly all of its no consumer HSI CO's for abandonment, perhaps upgrading the remaining DSL-only CO's to FiOS since they were seen as worthy of HSI decades ago.
