Vitts Networks, internet provider to the state Government says its fall is simply a product of industry trends. Many Customers and competetors, however told regualtors the real culprit is a telecom market unfairly dominated by baby bell company Verizon.
Internet provider Vitts networks has announced it is seeking chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
But at a Public Utilities Commission hearing Wednesday, customers and competitors alike hailed the failing company.
They say it was doing the best it could in a market insufficiently regulated and unfairly dominated by regional bell company Verizon.
Vitts networks, internet provider to both the state government and the city of Manchester says chapter 11 protection will help it serve existing customers as it tries to raise money to stay afloat. Company President Greg Demund says management decisions have nothing to do with Vitts? fall: it?s simply the state of the industry.
What we?ve seen is a general downturn in the entire telecom community I think that has scared off all investors. It has nothing to do with Vitts ?.the entire telecom community has seen a downturn.
While few would dispute the accuracy of Demund?s observation, most at Wednesday?s hearing were more inclined to point fingers at Verizon. They say the bell company that both serves and competes with digital subscriber line ? or dsl -- providers like Vitts, unfairly quashes complementation. George Lambert of Nashua?s Netmasters says he?s frustrated not only by the fact that that losing vitts service will mean higher bills, but also that Verizon?s control of local phone lines means that for dsl customers ?choice? is a fallacy.
You call it Vitts, you call it covad, you call it anybody you want?.at the end of the day that last mile is verizon not vitts?and vitts can?t control it?none of the competetition can control it ?So we?re all screwed.
Verizon attorney Gregory Lambert, says such criticisms are off the mark. His advice: let the buyer beware.
We?re a target that?s obvious and they don?t realize it?s a new world competition and choice is the rule and along with that comes a responsibility on the part of the customer to know what they?re getting into.
However, many argue that regulators also need to do better to ensure Verizon?s market dominance doesn?t put all consumers -- including the state?s oft-vaunted e-businesses -- into trouble. Several at the Wednesday?s hearing suggested the PUC require Verizon to adhere to more stringent timetables when serving its competitors. The PUC declined comment on that score, and was also unavailable for comment on this story. But Wednesday Commissioner Douglas Patch directed those concerned by the state dsl market to make its complaints know to the state consumer affairs office and the department of resources and economic development.
For NHPR news I?m JR
