This post at Engadget HD is a chance to do two things: first, discuss the virtually unlimited potential of fiber optic broadband, and second, recall that email is forever.

On the first point not much needs to be said.  But the second point is where we can have some fun.

In Ben Drawbaugh’s post (linked above), he makes outrageous (but refutable) point.  In the place where normally you’d hear the rest of the story he says “Verizon isn’t talking.”

Except that we did, or I did.

In direct response to Ben.

On October 12.  At 4:05pm EDT.  And again at 4:52pm.

My 4:05 response:

As you correctly point out, our fiber optic capacity and the FiOS network have almost no practical limit. We have more HD channels than many other carriers, we offer internet speeds only dreamed about by cable and over fiber -- THE state of the art communications technology.   Like everyone else we’re adding more channels and more bandwidth as fast as we can.  The difference is we have the capacity to stay ahead of the pack.  Obviously, every business makes these decisions based on a variety of considerations including customer demand, cost, priorities that might demand resources elsewhere and so forth.  So we will have announcements regarding new and enhanced network features in the coming weeks and months. But we’re not ready to telegraph our next moves to our competitors now.

In response to follow up questions, where he asked about “technical limitations” (his words), I said the following (at 4:52pm)

Ben, there is no "technological limitation” in our video hubs and central offices.  In our fiber system it is just a matter of adding new equipment to increase capacity.  We continue to do that every day adding to the number of homes passed, the number of channels offered, and adding faster data speeds.  Others have systems with clear capacity limits, and they face major system upgrades or new systems altogether to get to where FiOS is today.  We continue to build out the best video product for the long haul -- bar none.

Now it one thing to run with hyperbole borrowed from forums (even ones with respectable postings), it’s another to describe a back and forth via email as “Verizon isn’t talking.” 

I guess it depends on your definition of talking. 

To his credit, Ben did throw us a bone state a fact and give us an “attaboy:”

We for one are just glad that Verizon dosen't (sic) do what most providers do, and re-compress the HD programming to find more bandwidth.”