If Verizon stops deploying FiOS, then what?

As Verizon nears the end of its initial $23 billion rollout of FiOS, it's seeming likely that they're going to focus more on marketing what they've already built rather than expanding their fiber footprint further.

While I'm admittedly disappointed that they're not going to continue investing in extending FiOS to all their customers, I can understand the business rationale behind this decision. Also I realize that just because they're slowing now doesn't mean they won't pick back up at a later date. But even still, this shift away from deployment raises some important questions related to America's national broadband policy...