digital converter box -- surprising performance

[Roger Kirk]

Robert S Chase wrote:
> What I don't understand is when they have a cable go down like that 
> why they don't bite the bullet and start to pull fiber out to the 
> subscribers instead of keeping the outmoded copper pairs?
Perhaps because they will still have to provide power over copper at the 
subscriber's premises.  Now, instead of relying on just the central 
office big bank o'batteries,  power must be derived locally to the 
subscriber.  Necessitating either another set of batteries or when local 
power dumps, the subscriber is out of luck.  Many people rely on POTS 
for a reliable, low-tech connection between the CO and their alarm systems.