To avoid the prospect of spending billions for upgrades or just red-lining entire states - Verizon opts to sell and make it someone else's problem. Given the legislative rewards the Telcos are getting - shouldn't we expect a sound national broadband plan in return?

from: DSL reports [1]

Verizon Sells Maine, New Hampshire, & Vermont Lines
In a deal worth about $2.72 billion...
Posted 2007-01-16 Karl

As expected (and made long evident by a lack of desire to upgrade the region), Verizon is finalizing plans to sell off their DSL and phone networks in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to Fairpoint Communications, in a deal worth $2.72 billion. Verizon will grab $1.02 billion in FairPoint stock and will own 60% of the expanded company. The sale will impact some 234,000 high-speed Internet customers and 600,000 long-distance customers. Verizon is ditching the low growth potential lines in order to focus on Verizon wireless and TV services, says the company.