Re "UTOPIA: Fiber-optic nirvana or a nightmare with no way out?" (Tribune, Dec. 2):
UTOPIA has a flawed business plan that will not work. When a business wants to start up, an assessment is made to see how profitable it will be. The business planners then convince lenders to capitalize it. The capital is used to build and maintain the business until it becomes profitable.
When I looked into getting UTOPIA for my home, I was told that installation was more than $2,000. I asked why it was so much. I was told that it was to help capitalize UTOPIA.
If I am going to help capitalize something, I expect to own a part of it. That means I get to share in the profits. By calling it an "installation fee," I don't own anything, and I still have to pay for the service.
I can afford to pay this fee, but I won't pay this fee. It is likely that most residential customers can't pay this, and those who can see right through the issue.
UTOPIA will never get the residential customers it needs to be profitable.
Richard Evans
Midvale