SARGE-- I need your expertise

[audiyoda]

As I've previously posted, I've lost my dsl connection via Northpoint/MSN. I've got another provider lined up, but they need the line Northpoint leased to my house. The new company (ACD.net) contacted the telco and was told Northpoint has hold on that line. I contacted the telco and was told the same thing. I can't contact anyone at Northpoint because they don't exist any longer! The telco won't run another line and the new company needs a dedicated line.

Do you have any ideas as to how to have this leased line released so the new company can take over the lease?

-Craig

[SARGE]

I see this everyday. Folks move out of a house or apartment, new folks move in. Telco will not turn off other line until disconnect order sent by CLEC. Telco really has no control over it, as long as bill being paid by CLEC, in your case Northpoint. In this case, Northpoint is the telco's customer, not you. It would be the same as me calling in a request to have my neighbor's line disconnected. You've got a hard road ahead. Only alternative is to have a new order issued for dsl by your vendor. Telco should gladly supply it; they have no limit on how many lines go to a home, as long as bill paid. They aren't currently billing you for the dsl, right? They should be billing Northpoint, so you won't be paying for 2 dsl's.

[audiyoda]

Supposedly, this is now being 'taken care of'. I need a "letter of agency" which will allow the new provider (ACD.net) to gain control of my dedicated line. Biggest probelm-- it's coming from Northpoint and technically, they don't exist any longer. So I may never see this letter.

I can't figure out why the telco (Ameritech) won't run another line. But they flat out refuse. ACD.net cannot get them out to run a line PERIOD. I could just choke Ameritech right about now. They are saying since one is installed and is 'owned' by a defunct company, that's the line that has to be used.

-Craig

[SARGE]

Horse manure. Unless there is an FCC law I'm unaware of, there is no limitations on how many lines (DSL) or otherwise one can have in the home. You can have, I'm positive, one line (or more) through regular telco, and another (or more) through a competitor (CLEC). Ameritech seems to be saying you can only have 1 DSL, period, even if it's gonna be a new, separate install. I can see where the other being disconnected is a natural, legal hangup. Seems they can't separate the 2 concepts. I'd push it on up the ladder, or better yet, your vendor may have more weight. Telcos are rather sensitive about providing to CLECs, as the states are pushing 'em.

[audiyoda]

You're saying the same thing a professor of mine is saying -- but it won't change the fact that Ameritech is a lump $*** not worth the ground their building is on. They absolutely refuse to route another line to my home.

Of course they did say that when they begin to offer DSL that they would have no problem running another line. So I can't get another line for a local provier, but I can get one for dsl via Ameritech (in 4 months when they offer it here locally). Nice.

Thanks for your help Sarge. You at least reinforced what I knew to be true.

-Craig

[SARGE]

They are refusing to provide service to your provider. I don't know how things work up North, but it seems the Telecommunications Act would carry teeth up yonder. Your provider should be squealing like a stuck pig, with every legal right on their side. Perhaps you should try another.