From snorwood@redballoon.net Sat Dec  2 10:28:25 EST 2000
Article: 100871 of comp.dcom.xdsl
Path: news.panix.com!not-for-mail
From: snorwood@redballoon.net (Scott Norwood)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.xdsl
Subject: Re: Change DSL ISP's Two phone lines Covad says yes then NO
Date: 2 Dec 2000 15:25:31 GMT
Organization: Society for World Domination
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In article <90b2sr$9q8$1@slb2.atl.mindspring.net>,
mike <mdipace@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>Given Flashcom's problems i have been trying to switch isp's (never signed
>flashcom contract only paid deposit just got billed last month). EArthlink
>mindspring sales checked the number hooked my up on the same number (new
>line from street) but had to use SDSL (differnet moden) then disconnected me
>they seemed to indicate i could not have two isp's i had to cancel Flashcom
>(good luck right).

So, has anyone had any luck getting Flashcom to fill out the ISP-switch
form?

I managed to get them to cancel my Flashcom SDSL service after a
month (not an easy feat), but, soon after I cancelled, I looked
into Speakeasy and they have reasonable prices and a good reputation
and so I would like to switch.

I spoke with Covad and Speakeasy last night and managed to get this much
information out of them:

  - I need to get the ISP-switch form filled out _before_ the cancel order
    for the current line goes through; if I don't, then the order
    has to start anew, complete with line provisioning, etc., along
    with the long lead time.

  - Apparently, Flashcom (or any ISP) actually does have an incentive to
    fill out the form:  they lease line pairs in bulk from Covad
    (and, presumably, other CLECs); if they fill out the switch
    form, they essentially are leasing that pair to another ISP
    and so will get revenue (or at least not take a loss) from that
    pair.

  - Interestingly, despite the fact that Flashcom told me to return the
    Netopia router to them, I actually own it and it apparently
    will be usable with any Covad-provided SDSL service.  The deal
    that they had in September, when I signed up, was that Flashcom
    would bill me $250 for the equipment, which I would get back
    from a rebate offered by Covad.  Thus, Flashcom bought the
    router from Covad, and will be billing me for it; then, Covad
    will be sending the rebate check to the end user (me).  Thus,
    I apparently got this router for free and have no obligation
    to return it to Flashcom, despite what I was told when I
    cancelled.

Does anyone know whom to call at Flashcom in order to get the ISP-switch
form filled out before the cancel order goes through?  I really don't want
to wait another 7 weeks for a new pair to be provisined, nor do I really
want to go back to dialup.