Re. manipulation: Yep, I would agree that's exactly what is happening.
Re. AT&T FTTH: Alcatel & Ericsson are listed as the primary PON suppliers for AT&T. They are also listed as TXP clients as well. Hard to imagine different ONT suppliers so if TXP ONTs are what Shores says they are TXP should have a reasonable shot at that business IMO. I suppose there is also the possibility of Adtran as well.
Wonder in retrospect what Ericsson thinks now about their acquisition of Entrisphere?