LBDSL
Lightning Bolt
VIP
join:2002-01-07
Auburn Hills, MI
| Notice concerning our toll free dial-up service
If you are using our toll-free dialup access number 1-866-modems9
(1-866-663-3679), please make sure to read this notice in its entirety.
Several large incumbent carriers (Qwest, ATT, etc.) have cooked up a way to
block all access to this dialup number. They are upset that they are no
longer able to collect large fees from users for long distance access to
dialup services.
I know that some of you have emailed and called us about this issue, and it
was our understanding that we would be exempt from the problem because we
have established the necessary CLEC agreements and filled out the required
paperwork. It appears, though, that even with those agreements in place, the
incumbent carriers still have the freedom to block the call.
Our legal team is looking for a solution to this problem, but we must warn
you that we expect the number to have disruption or even stop working
altogether. At the bottom of this post, there is a link to our list of local
dialup numbers. Users will need to use one of these numbers.
Rural customers who do not have a local number will be understandably upset.
The only recourse currently is for you to write to the FCC and complain
about this issue and let the FCC know that you had affordable access to
dialup internet access but now it is long distance again thanks to ILEC
behavior that hurts the rural consumer. Letters can be sent to the general
address, but there is currently an open docket 01-92 that addresses carrier
compensation issues such as this. Filings directly into that docket will
have more effect.
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Our legal team has reviewed this with the incumbents and they have agreed to
postpone any changes until August 21, 2006. We are working with the FCC to
bump this date back even further or hopefully eliminate the changes
altogether. Please be aware that there may still be issues, but as of now we
have a handshake agreement to move the issue back to August.
---
At approximately 2:30 pm 3/29/06 (EST), we started receiving reports of the
toll-free number being down. Clients in several states have reported busy
signals and operator intercepts, though some are still working. The issue
appears to be specific to certain LECs.
This appears to be the result of the SMS-800 software updates made possible
by the ruling addressed previously in this ticket.
If you have local numbers available, the best thing to do at this point is
to move to the local number.
We are actively working on finding an interim solution for this issue, while
the legal team continues to work on things on their side. Any updates we
have will be posted here.
For a list of local numbers, please visit
»lbtech.com/support/dialup/localn···dex.html
Brent Waldrep
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Lightning Bolt Technologies | |
LBDSL
Lightning Bolt
VIP
join:2002-01-07
Auburn Hills, MI
| We are continuing to work on this issue. Apparently, this is causing problems for a lot of other carriers, from ISPs to telcos and VoIP companies. Their responses and changes have inundated the SMS-800. As a result, they are heavily backed up, and reports state that changes/updates/new orders can take up to 72 hours or longer.
While we continue to test our work-around options for the areas of the country that are still having problems, most of our tests are still subject to that delay.
In addition, we have now confirmed reports that SBC has begun indiscriminately blocking many numbers that route as our toll-free dialup number does. While we haven't confirmed that our number is on that list, we do expect to be on it eventually.
While our legal team continues to pursue this issue with the Commission, one client has helped motivate a PUC to investigate this matter, and a handful of end users have posted letters to docket 01-92. These actions are a great help.
The FCC needs to understand that their ruling has enabled the RBOCs to eliminate competition through a simple software upgrade. In some areas, dialing long distance is now the only option; in other areas, high-priced monopolies are the only option. The FCC has thusfar overlooked this side effect. Your efforts and your end users' efforts help convey this message.
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Lightning Bolt Technologies | |
LBDSL
Lightning Bolt
VIP
join:2002-01-07
Auburn Hills, MI
| reply to LBDSL
We are finishing up a temporary workaround, and so far, in the areas it has been put into effect it seems to be working. We have been conducting testing with various clients, and in at least a dozen states, service is restored.
Please keep in mind that this is a temporary workaround, and service could be again discontinued at any time until we get the FCC to step in.
We recommend staying on a local # if it is a true local number, this will prevent any issues in the future if the toll free number stops working again. However if you are currently using a long distance number, feel free to switch back and try the toll free number (1-866-663-3679), but keep in mind we are still testing all locations, and issues may come and go.
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Lightning Bolt Technologies | |
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