Subject: Modems to Assist with Slow DSL
   Date: Thu, 06 Sep 2001 20:54:10 -0400
   From: Housing <univhous@andrew.cmu.edu>
     To: <Cathedral-Residents@wgs.housing.cmu.edu>


Dear Oakland DSL Users,

Many of you are providing feedback this week on the slow speeds experienced
on your DSL service or that you are still without DSL service.   We are
aware of these problems and are working diligently with Telerama and
Verizon, the DSL pathway provider, to find the causes and solutions to
establish "normal" DSL service and speed which we all expect.

It is clear from all our communications that Telerama is making a good
faith effort and had planned appropriately for our new service agreement,
and that the performance of Verizon as their pathway provider has created
these significant delays.  We have investigated other ISPs as an
alternative, but most use Verizon as the pathway provider, and we would
expect similar delays for new service installations to the timelines we
have for Telerama service improvements.

Verizon has committed to providing Telerama additional pathway locally and
to the internet between September 15-30, 2001.  The timeframe for
activations of existing "no service" situations is uncertain and could
range from September 10-20, 2001.  We continue to press for improvement in
these dates.

As an interim solution, we are taking Telerama's first monthly payment for
the DSL service and diverting it into the purchase of Mac and PC 56K modems
to be distributed to all apartments who need a modem to connect to the
Telerama or CMU dial-up pools.  Many of you already have machines with
internal modems or your own external modems to use.  For those of you who
don't, please reply to popinski@andrew if you want a loaner modem so we can
arrange for one for you.

We are purchasing modems today and will have both types available, one per
apartment, beginning Friday morning, September 7, 2001.   The housing
office will also be open on Saturday from noon to 3pm to distribute modems.

To use the Telerama dial-up pool you must register with them by calling
9-412-688-3200.  They will provide further instructions when you call.
To use the CMU dial-up pool, set up your modem to dial 9-412-268-9000. 
Additional information about the CMU dial-up pool can be found at
http://www.net.cmu.edu/docs/services/remote/public.html

We will be sending updates every other day beginning tomorrow through the
end of this problem period.   I apologize for this delay in high-speed DSL
service to your apartments and appreciate your patience.

Regards,

Tim Michael
Director of Housing Services




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