Comments on: Qwest Cuts Off SkyWi in Network Dispute

By: McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Big Bell Dogma: January 2009

McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Big Bell Dogma: January 2009 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:38:17 +0000

[...] Qwest Cuts Off SkyWi in Network Dispute [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:46:50 +0000

Even if the bill is wrong, if you do not pay it, they will disconnect you. It’s pretty simple. Ask AT&T, Verizon, COX, Comcast, etc; All I see here is someone trying to use the David v. Goliath strategy. If it’s not correct, you should pay what you think is the true price, or go by historical data. Ex. Utility co generally bills 150/month for electricity. This time they sent you a bill for 1500. Do you not pay the bill at all, or do you pay what you know to be correct and then sort it out. Curious question, but I would err. on the side of caution and pay the 150. Atleast you paid something, and they can’t say; you didn’t pay.

Level playing feild? Buying into someones network at less then whole sale prices is not a “level” playing field. If the field was level SkiWii would have built their own network to be truly competitive. But in Telecom, how much competition can you truly have?

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:00:53 +0000

You’re assuming the bill is correct. Do you pay your bill when it’s erroneous or so convoluted that you can’t tell what you’re paying for?

That’s the issue, among others, involved in this case. No one is trying to get something for nothing. They’re just asking for a level playing field.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:27:38 +0000

I agree completly, if I don’t pay my power, phone, cable, water etc; they get shutoff. And, there is no QUASI GOVT agency that will order those providers to turn my services back on. Especially, if I am upside down on my tab. Just one more example of someone trying to get something for nothing.

By: Parkite

Parkite — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:31:38 +0000

Seems to me that SkyWi is not a rival LEC, but a wholesale ISP customer that is delinquent on their account with Qwest. Seems reasonable to terminate if they don’t pay their bills. And note that i am not at all a fan of Qwest.