We had a thread here a few weeks ago discussing the MCI access under
the brilliant marketing scheme www.campus.mci.net. Here in Georgia it
is known as Peachnet our State College/University system.
We are seeing the campus.mci.net access ads from the local library for
12.00 per mo. for the first 60 prime time hours (7:01 AM thru Midnight)
and free access from 12:01 AM thru 7:00 AM. Each additional hr is .95
after the 60.
I have no problem with competition BUT, please don't use my tax dollars
to subsidize my very large competitor! He really doesn't have to have
it! I know there are companies who offer $9.95 mo rates but they are not
getting my tax dollars to do it.
They put out some flyers with the info. They ran out so the library made
copies on the library copier. Then had the nerve to say that they
recieved no compensation for the service and that MCI was responsable
for everything.
By housing the pops in state run institutions, using state paid
employees and garnering free advertising thru library press releases I
have a serious problem keeping my cool! They actually had a 1/4 page
press release in the newspaper called "A Spotlight on our Library" to
anounce the new service, didn't cost them a thing. The phone has been
ringing ever since asking us to meet that price. They don't see the
difference. They say they never use more than 60 hours. MCI put in a
free 56K line for the library in house users and a T1 with 25 lines in
the closet for commercial access to start with.
We are a small rural ISP. New subscriber signups have all but ceased and
it has only been available for two weeks.
Anyone who becomes a library card holder is eligable for this discounted
access. For the consumer it is a great value up front but little does
the person realize we employee (8) eight people! How long before I go
out of business do they infiltrate other areas and do the same thing?
When the contract is up will the price stay the same? I DOUBT IT
SERIOUSLY!
Are there any other ISPs that see a problem with this? I plan to
investigate further.... I have spoken with reps from the State board of
Regents. I was given some answers but nothing satisfatory.
Am I over reacting here? Anyone else see this as an unfair advantage in
the market? Feel free to email me privately. I'm looking for any info I
can to assess this.
Thanks for listening,
Carl Delabar