As if a final notification from an alien life form to the humans below, the DirecTV website informs customers that "this will be our final communication." The "dark date" for customers in Verizon and SBC's service region is 2/28; BellSouth area subscribers have until 2/14. According to a DirecTV representative we spoke to, the company had 160,000 users when they announced closure, and still have 71,000 remaining on their network. 66% of customers who have disconnected have utilized the company's transition agreements. The customer notification is reprinted below.

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FINAL NOTICE

Dear DIRECTV DSL Customer,
We previously notified you that the DIRECTV Broadband network, including your email services, would be operational until at least January 31, 2003.
We are now writing to inform you that we are beginning the process of turning off our network, which may have an immediate impact to your DIRECTV DSL service. The last day any portion of the DIRECTV Broadband network will be operational in your area is Friday, February 28, 2003. This is the last notice you will receive from DIRECTV Broadband.
If you have not transitioned your service at the point our network goes down, you will lose connectivity. If you wish to maintain a high-speed Internet connection, you should take action as quickly as possible before Feb. 28, 2003 to minimize disruption in, or loss of, your Internet service.
DIRECTV Broadband has announced a transition alliance with Verizon Online to allow you to change your high-speed Internet services to Verizon Online DSL or another ISP that uses Verizon as the underlying DSL provider. We recommend:

· Residential DIRECTV DSL subscribers who are interested in transitioning their DSL Internet service to Verizon Online DSL should call Verizon Online toll-free at 877-389-3278. Subscribers wishing to transition to Verizon Online DSL who need a static IP (Internet Protocol) address or business-grade DSL should call Verizon Online toll-free at 877-738-3278. For more information on Verizon Online DSL, go to »www.verizon.net/promo/welcometoverizon.

· If you are interested in transitioning your DSL Internet service to another ISP that uses Verizon as the underlying DSL provider, please contact that ISP as soon as possible to initiate the transition.

· If you plan to transition to Verizon Online DSL or to another ISP that uses Verizon as the underlying DSL provider, do NOT request a service disconnect from DIRECTV Broadband by utilizing the form we have provided on our Contact Us page. The service disconnect request is only for customers who have chosen to disconnect their DSL service entirely.

· Once DIRECTV Broadband has received confirmation that your service has been disconnected, we will cease billing you for your DIRECTV DSL service.

· The DIRECTV DSL gateway becomes your personal property and you will incur no penalty charges for a non-returned gateway.

It has been a pleasure to serve you and our top priority is to ensure a smooth transition of your high-speed Internet service. We will continue to update www.DIRECTVDSL.com with the latest information. Please do not reply to this email, as this email box is not being monitored.

Please note, if you have both DIRECTV and DIRECTV DSL, you will experience no change or disruption in your DIRECTV television service.

Sincerely,

DIRECTV Broadband Customer Care

As always, many answers can be found in our DirecTV forum.