That may open up a new revenue stream for AT&T, but I don't think it solves the cost issue in their long-haul business that they were trying to address by not c

That may open up a new revenue stream for AT&T, but I don't think it solves the cost issue in their long-haul business that they were trying to address by not carrying calls terminating at expensive LEC's. I don't know the details of it, but it seems like they are obliged by regulation or legislation to provide that service to rural LEC's. It could be compared to Starbucks trying to close down an unprofitable rural store and being told they had to keep it open to satisfy rural coffee drinkers' caffeine addictions.