The New T1

[Peter]

FAIR POINT, VERIZON QUARREL. T1 DELAYED.

We have made little progress in getting our new T1 installed on
Allen's Hill. This has been a struggle that began last fall. Today we
are finally beginning to find out what has been obscure: the problem
seems to depend on an on-going quarrel between FairPoint
Communications and Verizon.

I have been in constant touch with State Officials, particularly Corey
Chase of The VT Department of Public Services and Charlie Kremer of
The VT Telecommunications Authority. My interpretation of what they
have told me is this: Fair Point can only reach us from Bennington.
But that means pulling the signal through Massachusetts, and Verizon
holds the rights to Massachusetts. Verizon seems to be denying
passage.

I believe that FairPoint has not been as candid with us as they might
have been; their explanations have been about as transparent as
asphalt. It has taken us months to find out what is really happening.
Verizon certainly doesn't seem to have help matters much.

I know this has been frustrating to members looking forward to better
service and non-members waiting for connections that depend on the new
T1. It has been frustrating for the directors as well.

We will continue to pursue a resolution through all legal means.

In passing I might note that Fairpoint's recent marketing campaign has
been somewhat misleading. If you received a pamphlet claiming that you
will receive fast internet from FairPoint by 2010, read the fine
print. Go to FP's web site. Only half of the towns they service will
have access to their broadband. Stamford is not one of them. Look for
a letter to the editor about this soon. For more information go to The
VT Telecommunications page at


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Peter

[Peter Haviland]

Thanks, Peter and Alan, for all that you do. We are lucky to have you working for all of us. I hope you can continue to remain optimistic in the face of such challenges.

Peter

[kbut...@hughes.net]

Peter,

Here are some contacts inside of fairpoint... don't know if it makes any sense to talk to these guys now that you have an understanding of the issues, but....:

 

Gail Sperry, Senior Account Manager of Business Sales – Vermont:  802-233-4984  gsp...@fairpoint.com

 

Paul Savas, Director Business Sales – Vermont:  802-318-8995  psa...@fairpoint.com

[P. Grudin]

Thanks.

I still think that seeing if Verizon could get us the T1 is a possibility. Question of which company has the upper hand. I might ask one of these contacts for advice.

Thanks again.

Peter

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Peter D. Grudin, Ph.D.