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From: Jeff Simmons <jsimmons@goblin.punk.net> Subject: Re: Guerilla Internet Service Providers Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 16:32:33 -0800 (PST)
Punknet is a 'Guerilla ISP'. Twenty of us share a 128k ISDN line, distributed via high-speed modems. It's been running fine for over a year now, but Pacific Bell has evidently decided to get rid of us.
How? Simply by refusing to either repair or replace our 25 pair trunk line, which is rapidly degrading. We've offered to replace it ourselves, but according to them, it's illegal. Right now, we've got three dead lines, and two others that only will do 1200 baud.
Hmmm, you should have some kind of Public Utility Commission (PUC) in your area that regulates the service provider. Here in Texas if SWBT received more than 2 complaints on a single problem without resolution then the customer can request that the PUC force a resolution of the problem. It has the power to fine SWBT on a per day basis until the problem is resolved. I have used the process one time to a successful end. I had squirrels that kept eating my phone lines when I first put in my ISDN and its dial-in lines. SWBT kept comming out and repairing the lines and the squirrels kept eating them. I asked for armored cables and was refused. I kept requesting them (and keeping records). On the next to last time the tech came out I showed him the records and advised him that I wanted armored lines. He said he would advise his supervisor. A week later I had my armored lines (run specialy nearly a block to the tie-block) and the problem was resolved until my roomie burned the house down (the phone lines survived).
We've been told that what they're doing is probably illegal, but it's the old problem: Where does an 800 lb. gorilla sleep?
We're fighting this like all hell, but who knows? After they get rid of us, I wonder who's next ...
You also have the option of starting a civil and criminal claim dealing with breach of contract. Phone companies must provide phone lines that meet minimal standards (3kHz bandwidth / -32dB S/N). If the lines don't then the phone company is responsible for getting the lines upgraded. I rather doubt the phone company wants you out of business, they want your money. It is probably a local supervisor who has a limited budget and staff and is having to set priorities according to their supervisory responsibilities. Get it taken up a level and you might find the climate changes. The FCC is enacting a new regulation that will cause every phone company to provide 100% of their service areas with ISDN (you should have received some kind of notice last week, I did). This also sets some minimum standards as well as to the type and quality of service the phone company must provide. Good luck.