In the 1990's, perhaps no communications carrier has opened a wider gap between expectation and execution.
Of course, the major communications carriers will have to be dragged kicking and screaming to get there.
It is also why the regional Bell phone companies and other communications carriers have laid off thousands of workers in recent years.
General Electric, though, is focused on selling to communications carriers.
One is in the sale to communications carriers of wireless systems that can transport Internet data.
Even so, not every communications carrier is finding financing.
Access to capital is crucial for small communications carriers, even when they are not buying one another.
Several leading communications carriers have agreed to buy the new system.
During the last five years, new local communications carriers have raised and invested more than $50 billion.
Both reported strong increases in their sales to communications carriers.