Directtv DSL going under

[invaliduser88]

This is the note on http://www.directtvdsl.com

If your subscribed to directtv dsl, better make contingency plans.

December 13, 2002

Dear DIRECTV Broadband Customer,

We have some difficult news to share. With the dramatic change in the capital markets and the significant shift in the telecom operating environment, DIRECTV Broadband can no longer stand as an independent business.

It is our sincere regret to inform you that DIRECTV Broadband will discontinue operations. DIRECTV Broadband’s network will be operational for a minimum of 30 days. We are working with our last-mile carriers to determine alternatives for your broadband service.

We know you have many questions. The best way to keep up-to-date is to refer to www.directvdsl.com . We’ll keep this site current with the latest information on your account, billing issues and next steps.

If you are a DIRECTV subscriber, your satellite television service will not be disrupted in any way. Please do not call DIRECTV customer service regarding your DIRECTV DSL high-speed Internet service, as they will not be able to help you.

It has been our privilege to serve you.

Sincerely,

DIRECTV Broadband Customer Care

[gcutler]

Are they loosing money hand over fist or are they "Tired" of doing business. When I worked for GE, it seemed on a weekly basis they would say "We no longer feel like being in this business or that business" Even though they were making money, it wasn't enough for them to be worthwhile (a 2 million $ a year profit a small consulting department wasn't worth their paperwork) I hate companies like that.

I'm assuming at worst the DSL service can be replaced by the local telcos???

[Kevin]

And I was considering this to be my broadband provider recently. Oh well, I guess I'm officially stuck with Cablevision now...

[navy8ball]

just saw an ad on tv for directv/dsl

[Richard King]

They called me the day before the announcement telling me I better jump now because the special pricing was ending the next day. The guy had no idea the whole business was ending the next day. I was just looking into it out of curiousity, so, I guess I will stick with Starband for a while longer.

[Bogy]

DSL or Cable? Ya know, my cable company shows no sign of dumping the internet business. Even with the @home failure last year all I had to do was change a few settings on my internet connection. Didn't have to change provider, never lost a minute of service. Sure glad I've got cable. :D

[gcutler]

You figure that since DSL piggy backs on Telco and Cable would always be connected as long as there is a TV provider, any down times were probably due to lack of coordination between new provider and old provider. So I guess it depends on how much effort both entities put into the passing along the users.

Bogy, Did the new provider get in touch with you or did the old provider handshake between you and the new (letter saying bla-bla-bla). It looks like work done by old provider can really set the pace of how things get done?

[James_F]

Well in my experience with @Home, it was all Cox. @Home could have cared less about me.