New Access Numbers and Prices...

[Robert Dinse <nanook@eskimo.com>]

     We now have access to Telia dial access numbers for single and dual
channel access.

     We have been unable to resolve issues with MegaPOP dual channel access. 
Specifically, they are inflexible with respect to the 200 hour channel cap, and
working through a reseller that has a flat-rate contract, there are problems
binding dual channels.

     Telia provides an alternative, there is no 200 hour channel cap and in
testing we've done so far, customers who weren't able to get channels to bond
properly on MegaPOP are having success with the Telia numbers.

     Customers have also commented that the routing is much better on Telia.

     Unfortunately we can not offer static IP's on Telia.  There are dynamic
DNS services that may offer an alternative solution for things like ETRN
polling.  These work by having DNS for a domain dynamically change with your
connections IP address.  One such services is DYNODNS.net,
http://www.dynodns.net/, and I know there are others but this one comes to mind
at the moment. 

     Telia also provides access in some areas not fomerly served.

     Pricing on dial access has been adjusted, short term rates for all of the
access lines are higher (shorter than half-year), and MegaPOP/UUNET is higher,
but Telia is priced where MegaPOP/UUNET was.

     I would encourage you to consider Qwest or Telia as an alternative to
MegaPOP/UUNET.  We've seen lots of technical problems with MegaPOP and after
the implimentation of the 200 hour channel cap on dual channel accounts one has
to wonder how long before they try to apply it to single channels.  UUNET,
although they do not state up front any time limit, I get nasty grams from them
monthly about users "abusing the net", meaning they're keeping the connections
up too long.  I have not experienced these problems with Qwest and I've been
assured that Telia is also flat-rate. 

     I will continue to accept payments at the old rates up until June 15th of
this year.