I was reading this article and right when it brought up the term 'redlining', I thought that it was pretty bold accusation to make. What this article is talking about is Verizon's deploying of its FiOS fiber optic lines. It points out that, just like with housing redlining, Verizon is only deploying the fiber optic service in the predominantly white suburbs of Buffalo. There is no plans to deploy the fiber optics in the City of Buffalo at all.
Now honestly what this article completely fails to do, which I would like to make a big point of, is that economics comes into play for this type of stuff. Verizon isn't going to spend mass amounts of money deploying a top notch technology into an area where there is no economic means for it (the City of Buffalo is much more economically depressed than its suburbs).
The article directly compares this practice to the redlining we spoke about. Is it? I honestly don't think so but I believe that things like this need to be watched. A company that profits every quarter as handily as Verizon does should be questioned over its practices. Especially a company that in the midst of massive profits is attempt to lay off 20,000 people and axe the pensions of others.
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