[clue-tech] Qwest ISP

[Nate Duehr]

Oh... one other "sleazebag" tactic from Qwest to mention.

Like me in the past, my dad is a "happy" customer (or was) of Copper DSL
fed by Front Range Internet as the ISP.

A few months ago his service degraded severely.  An investigation was
started, and Qwest claimed that they were distributing the new Fiber
service via copper from the fiber head in the neighborhood and that the
new signals from the fiber were "incompatible" with the old Copper DSL
on adjacent pairs.  Thus, causing massive interference that would knock
down or completely degrade the Copper DSL service.

This, at a completely technological/engineering level is BS.  If their
new distribution method on the copper is so hot that it causes
cross-talk into other copper pairs, it is BROKEN in the telco world.  My
theory?  They're purposely configuring things to interfere with the old
Copper DSL service in neighborhoods where they expect fiber-based
services (even if delivered the "last mile" by copper) to be
economically advantageous to them.  

Letters to the PUC went un-heeded.  They're completely in the pockets of
Qwest.  And letters to FRII garnered a heartfelt and very pissed off
letter from the President who says he's fighting it Qwest-wide, in every
territory FRII covers, and to PLEASE write the PUC.  

Eventually my father gave up after multiple letters and complaints,
three or more site visits by a Qwest tech to his home, and eventually
switched to Qwest's service.  Which was EXACTLY what Qwest wanted him to
do.

Is it sleazy?  Yeah.  Do I really expect more from Qwest?  Not really. 
I'd LOVE to see why this new distribution method tears up the signals
going to the old DSL DSLAM gear, though.  That's definitely horse-pucky,
engineering-wise.

--
  Nate Duehr
  nate at natetech.com

On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:25 -0600, "Nate Duehr" <nate at natetech.com> wrote:
> This is correct.  Copper DSL is a Regulated service under the Colorado
> PUC.  New fiber plants, aren't.  
> 
> Similar to Verizon rolling out FIOS along the Eastern Seaboard.  In many
> cases, even though they're not supposed to, Verizon techs have been seen
> cutting or otherwise purposely damaging the copper DEMARC going into a
> residence, as they install FIOS service, making it a customer-paid
> repair job to reconnect the copper entrance if they ever want to "leave"
> the captive Verizon FIOS fiber service.
> 
> Those that I've talked to who took the plunge and bought it, have
> enjoyed the speeds, low latency, etc.  In Verizon territory, FIOS also
> can carry digital TV service (albeit compressed, but who isn't other
> than the real broadcasters themselves, who are the only people
> transmitting the "full" 14 Mb/s HDTV signals), and at least one
> acquaintance has that and thinks it's "good".
> 
> Not sure what Qwest is offering.  Where are you that they've already
> laid fiber?  Are you in Highlands Ranch?  They did a "pilot program"
> there many years ago, and it's one of the only locations I know for sure
> they have residential fiber to the curb.  They're WAY behind on that,
> compared to the East coast.
> 
> Anyway, if you value competition, copper is the only way to get/keep it
> right now.  I figure *eventually* the PUC will step in, Qwest will whine
> that they footed the entire bill for the fiber, government/politics will
> get involved, government will "pay off" Qwest for their investment, and
> open the fiber back up... but that'll take a decade and some REALLY bad
> service from Qwest to trigger the politics.  
> 
> Otherwise, the other prediction... folks won't know that switching to a
> FTTC service locks them into a single vendor, or won't really care...
> and Verizon and Qwest's "play" to get total control of their outside
> plant again for a captive monopoly audience, will work.
> 
> Hard to say which way it will go... but those are the options.
> 
> --
>   Nate Duehr
>   nate at natetech.com
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