Telco Dmarc Games Best of ISP-Lists
[January 10, 2008] This is just one more method the phone company can use to deny you a customer.

Finding Fiber Best of ISP-Lists
[August 17, 2007] So you've got a customer who wants a big, expensive connection. How do you find the fiber to deliver it?

Adding Financial Services to the ISP Portfolio Alex Goldman
[December 19, 2005] One of the top competitive ISPs in the U.S. acquires a powerful Wall Street connection.

CLECs See No Future in Residential Service Best of ISP-Lists
[August 19, 2005] CLECs will focus on business services, now that the FCC has decided that broadband deployment will speed up if the cable and phone companies are handed a duopoly.

Knowledge of the Network is Power Alex Goldman
[August 15, 2005] An ISP planning to deliver the services of the future needs to understand and control its network.

DSL Shop Claims Real Reliability Best of ISP-Lists
[June 27, 2005] It takes a lot of work, but you too can have only eight hours of downtime in seven years—and you cannot be blamed for the backhoe or the earthquake.

Verizon's Anti-Business Bureaucracy Best of ISP-Lists
[April 22, 2005] ISPs find that even when you want to do business with Verizon, you are faced with a thick tangle of bureaucracy.

IPTV: The Big Picture Gerry Blackwell
[April 15, 2005] There's a compelling business case but also a number of risks, so, in this article, we get the world's leading DSL analysts to weigh the pros and cons of IPTV.

Don't Rip Your Heart Out Alex Goldman
[March 7, 2005] One VoIP vendor says that an enterprise's sense of self-preservation will lead it to embrace evolutionary change rather than a total PBX extinction.

Ethernet Avenue Alex Goldman
[March 3, 2005] We've had inquiries asking for advice on serving broadband to condos, so we asked one of the bigger players that you've never heard of to tell us how they do it.

VoIP Adds Spice to Life Alex Goldman
[February 7, 2005] And VoIP is also adding spice to the CLEC business plan, challenged recently by adverse FCC decisions.

Consulting on the Triple Play Alex Goldman
[January 10, 2005] In most parts of the world, including the U.S., voice, video, and IP in a bundle are new and unusual. But some companies are already specializing in building the infrastructure that delivers it all.

A CLEC of CLECs Alex Goldman
[November 18, 2004] Cutting through the VoIP hype, one company says that, with the right CLEC alliances, a voice company can deliver network agnostic voice services and applications anywhere in the U.S.

ISP Profile: Crocker Communications Alex Goldman
[May 28, 2004] When Matthew Crocker decided to set up an ISP, he simply had to persuade his mother that it was a good idea. Today, he's working on rolling out a variety of services, as they become economically viable.

Even U.S. Carriers Might Deploy Services Alex Goldman
[May 27, 2004] A manufacturer of carrier-class application management systems says this might be the year the U.S. deploys—but if not, the company should look for customers in smaller, local broadband networks.

Broadly Speaking Alex Goldman
[February 13, 2004] VoIP promises to lower phone bills and connect more people than ever before. One company, a subsidiary of a respected CLEC, shows the way.

Ethnic CLECs Find Their Calling Max Smetannikov
[October 24, 2003] Ethnic minorities not only command half of the U.S. telecom expenditures but also are supporting a new class of carriers that cater to increasingly specialized ethnic groups in their mother tongue.

A National DSL Rollout Alex Goldman
[October 20, 2003] With DSL regulation poisoned by uncertainty, and the telecommunications market bare of investment, a privately owned ISP survivor throws its hat into the national broadband ring.

DSL is Different in Japan Alex Goldman
[September 11, 2003] How do you get 26 Mbps for $40 per month? You live in Japan, where competition has made it possible.

A New Way to Compete with Cable Alex Goldman
[August 8, 2003] Across the U.S., cable has an advantage over DSL in the race for subscribers. Cavalier Telephone is out to change that with a new $50 per month bundle that combines SDSL with unlimited local calls.

Where's Your $50 Million? Alex Goldman
[July 25, 2003] Broadbandit (noun): One who padded his coffers by $50 million or more riding the bandwidth bubble.

Video Over VDSL For CLECs Alex Goldman
[April 11, 2003] Next Level, the manufacturer of voice-enabled networking equipment, says its latest line cards enable ADSL+ and VDSL, that both cards can be used in the same chassis, and that they can deliver voice, video, and broadband.

A Case for Structural Separation Best of ISP-Lists
[January 24, 2003] Current rule changes being considered by the FCC—and favored by its chariman—may threaten the very existence of many CLECs. Members of the ISP-CLEC list offer a novel twist on the concept of separate versus shared infrastructure.

CLECs Should Know About the Selector ISP-Planet Staff
[January 17, 2003] Consumer Reports and TeleBright have teamed up to build a phone plan selector that many residences and small businesses will use to choose their phone plan. Is your CLEC listed on the selector?

Diversify and Prosper Ted Stevenson
[January 16, 2003] A strategically situated local phone company parlays its incumbency advantage into brisk growth—thanks to a well-thought-out expansion plan featuring a varied mix of services and delivery platforms.

Consolidation in the CLEC Universe ISP-Planet Staff
[January 15, 2003] Although the surviving CLECs are strong enough to begin to buy out their weaker competitors, and business growth is good across the board, regulatory uncertainty casts a pall over otherwise optimistic business plans.

DSL Prime: Fallout Dave Burstein
[January 9, 2003] While the industry awaits a groundbreaking decision from the FCC, the uncertainty is taking its toll on the competitors who may be harmed when a decision is made.

Fiber in Canberra ISP-Planet Staff
[January 3, 2003] Although Australia's capital is no major metropolis, TransACT Communications, a subsidiary of the local power company, has connected 16,000 homes to broadband, cable TV, video on demand, and voice services.

In the Shadow of the Giants Best of ISP-Lists
[December 31, 2002] What will become of the pioneering fixed-wireless ISPs who took on the ILECs and the DSL providers to build their new-wave businesses when the really big guys get into the wireless access game?

Rural ISPs Still Fear The ILEC Max Smetannikov
[December 20, 2002] When providing an innovative service requires extensive research and the adoption of new technology just to circumvent the Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC), rural communities pay the price.

ILECs Put Long Distance Between Neighbors Best of ISP-Lists
[December 16, 2002] A CLEC interested in instituting local phone service wonders whether that local service will be bounded by the extended calling area of the incumbent provider—and in doing so, opens a classic can of worms.

Bandwidth Prices Low But Hidden Costs Remain Max Smetannikov
[November 22, 2002] As backbone providers emerge from bankruptcy, ISPs in major metro areas are seeing prices drop significantly. Rural providers, however, are left with the same problems and even the same prices they faced five years ago.

Interest Grows in Ethernet in the First Mile ISP-Planet Staff
[November 13, 2002] Analysts anticipate significant growth in Ethernet-based first mile solutions for delivering broadband services over the next five years.

Deliver Video for Small Business Customers ISP-Planet Staff
[November 11, 2002] The latest media gateway from Optibase may bring streaming video within the reach of ISPs and CLECs and their small- and medium-sized business customers.

What's RPG to You or Me? Ted Stevenson
[October 21, 2002] RingCentral has bundled a collection of value-added services into its RPG Platform. It is no grenade, but may generate explosive revenue growth in the hands of the right service provider.

Preparing for the Powell Factor Patricia Fusco
[October 18, 2002] FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell says the best remedy for the telecom sector's economic woes is to undo the very regulations that helped bring about innovation in the first place.

The Price of Doing Business? Best of ISP-Lists
[October 14, 2002] Members of the ISP-CLEC list share thoughts and strategies relating to the enormous security deposits currently being charged to new, smaller customers by their ILEC suppliers.

Uphill Up-Sell Down-Home Patricia Fusco
[September 30, 2002] Small businesses, telecommuters, and remote offices have been quick to migrate to broadband services, but residential have not. Is there some vital ingredient providers have missed?

Doing Business with Atlantic.Net Patricia Fusco
[September 25, 2002] Conventional wisdom dictates that independent ISP operators should do one thing and do it well. Atlantic.net says phooey to convention—we can do it all and we can do it well—if we just do it right.

Subscriber Values: September 2002 ISP-Planet Staff
[September 19, 2002] The stock market rewards frugal cost cutting companies like Covad over companies contemplating continued capital expenditures such as RCN and Century Tel. History

Business Broadband Uptake Inhibitions ISP-Planet Staff
[September 13, 2002] Thanks to strong growth in the number of remote workers, enterprise customers are showing increased demand for broadband, namely DSL, though demand is tempered in this lagging economy.

NuVox Sticks to Tried and True Plan Gerry Blackwell
[September 10, 2002] One CLEC proves the way to beat the data doldrums is to stick with fundamentals—avoid competitive markets, build only the facilities you need, and target an under served audience—then execute the plan.

Don't Face Them Alone Best of ISP-Lists
[August 28, 2002] Members of the ISP-CLEC list discuss the value of retaining an attorney during the CLEC certification process. Besides the obvious, there are many reasons why CLECs need lawyers.

Norlight: A Small Counterpunch Alex Goldman
[August 28, 2002] Until recently the incumbent monopoly phone companies were crowing that the competition was dead, but it's a new day, and small companies like Norlight could do well.

Northwest Communications, Growing Against the Grain Gerry Blackwell
[August 27, 2002] A small, local telephone company proves that it can do it all in Iowa—voice, dial-up, cable, and wireless—you name it, Northwest Communications provides it.

ISPs Find No CLEC Gold Mine Max Smetannikov
[August 23, 2002] Contrary to intuition and simple logic, the number of CLECs is still growing. ISPs beware: industry insiders suggest that many are becoming CLECs without any business justification.

Anything But DSL Best of ISP-Lists
[August 19, 2002] Members of the ISP-CLEC list search for broadband alternatives to digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, but the wired alternatives are mere nascent technologies.

Book Review: CLEC Alex Goldman
[August 9, 2002] This hard hitting book by an industry insider details the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the average CLEC. Written in a conversational style, it provides the lessons learned from the billion dollar classroom that was the telecoms boom.

The Future of IP in Western Europe ISP-Planet Staff
[August 1, 2002] A new study calls for a new sense of IP Realism, acknowledging vast potential benefits for users and providers, but also warning against a widely held misconception that growth of high-value IP services will provide short-term fortunes.

Subscriber Values: July 2002 ISP-Planet Staff
[July 24, 2002] This month saw a further fall in stock prices across the board. It's no surprise that most ISP stocks are down—the real surprise is which ISPs have not fallen far, and the one ISP whose value has risen.

Telcos' Dark Fiber Lures ISPs Max Smetannikov
[July 19, 2002] The fiber glut is well publicized but little utilized because taking advantage of the telcos' overbuild takes a significant amount of time and a significant amount of complex legal work.

VOIP: Permission Required? Best of ISP-Lists
[June 3, 2002] Members of the ISP-Wireless list discuss a legal grey area concerning the deployment of voice over IP (VOIP) technology. In a regulatory climate hostile to CLECs, many fear the rules will change.

Add Video to Voice and Data Bundles Ted Stevenson
[May 29, 2002] Next Level Communications' new hardware gives ILECs and CLECs a competitive shot in the arm, boosting revenue and leveling the playing field in competition with cable operators.

More Woes for More Wire Jim Thompson
[May 10, 2002] Since first writing about More Wire, Inc. in March and I have been hit with a firestorm of complaints from ISPs claiming that its VoIP program is a sham. MWI says otherwise.

MCI's New Rates Best of ISP-Lists
[May 8, 2002] Members of the ISP-CLEC list cannot agree whether MCI's latest telephony plus Internet bundle for residential subscribers will harm or help the company.

Weekly Financial Report Wayne Kawamoto 
[March 26, 2002] Yipes files Chapter 11 and ALLTEL announces plans to purchase CenturyTel's wireless properties.

Weekly Financial Report Wayne Kawamoto 
[March 19, 2002] MFN defers an interest payments on its convertible notes and withdraws financial guidance, Broadwing completes the sale of directory business, and GCI, IDT, and NTELOS release fourth quarter results. 

Weekly Financial Report Wayne Kawamoto 
[March 12, 2002] Global Crossing announces plan to streamline operations, reduce costs and optimize cash, XO issues a statement concerning a preliminary restructuring proposal, and DSL.net, Electric Lightwave, and others release fourth quarter results. 

Weekly Financial Report Wayne Kawamoto 
[March 5, 2002] McLeodUSA announces bankruptcy court approval of its disclosure statement, Broadview signs an LOI to Acquire Network Plus, and Z-Tel, SureWest, and others declare their fourth quarter results. 

Weekly Financial Report Wayne Kawamoto 
[February 26, 2002] Williams To restructure balance sheet-considers chapter 11, Mpower reaches recapitalization agreement-plans chapter 11, and Global Crossing Shareholders' Group Files plans to refinance the company. These and more in the week's CLEC Financial Report.

Numbers Talk, Are you Listening? Jim Marsh 
It's amazing how often managers ignore the information that's at their fingertips. Columnist Jim Marsh discusses the importance of numbers and reports and using them to make decisions that can lead your company to success.

Weekly Financial Report Wayne Kawamoto 
[February 19, 2002] New Edge Networks buys commercial customers and assets from bankrupt AtHome, Montana Power restructures from diversified energy company to Touch America Holdings, and eLEC reports notice of Nasdaq delisting. 

Weekly Financial Report Wayne Kawamoto 
[February 12, 2002] Covista completes the acquisition of Capsule, Global Crossing becomes the subject of an SEC investigation, and Network Plus files a voluntary chapter 11 petition.

Give Structural Separation a Chance Patricia Fusco 
[February 7, 2002] Structural separation is not a new concept. In its simplest form, structural separation would require regional Bell operating companies to split into retail and wholesale operations.

NRC vs. Tauzin-Dingell Dave Burstein
[December 6, 2002] Find out how the nation's scholars oppose Tauzin-Dingell in principle and in detail in this special DSL Prime editorial.  

Are You Prepared For Disaster? Jim Marsh 
[December  3, 2001] Profit margins are already slim enough, but a little known loophole can cause a CLEC to lose lots of money on its international long-distance calling services. Columnist Jim Marsh explains and shows how to deal with the problem.

Are You Prepared For Disaster? Jim Marsh 
Is your firm prepared for potential disaster? Columnist Jim Marsh investigates and offers significant food for thought on this timely topic.

Underdogs Unite Alex Goldman
[October 12, 2001]  Asking for activism, not funding, a group of advocates continue fighting incumbent carriers' habitual abuses of current telecom laws. This gathering of underdogs hopes to build a coalition that can play David to telecom companies' Goliath.

ISPCON: State Of The Provider Nation Jim Wagner 
[October 12, 2001]  How are service providers handling the first recession since the early 1990s? Better than you might expect. However, decisions made today will predominantly affect how profitable a provider is a year from now. Advice for ISPs can be advice for CLECs.

Has ICG Mended Its Ways? Jim Wagner 
[October 11, 2001]  The former stock market darling blew through $4 billion in capital financing in record time building up a super CLEC that couldn't hold a profit in a paper bag. Their new chief has turned things around, but is it too soon for kudos?

Are CLECs Down For The Count? Don't Believe It Jim Marsh 
With all the disappointing news of late, are CLECs dead? Columnist Jim Marsh thinks otherwise.

Free Space Optical: Extending Optical Networks Where No Fiber Has Gone Before  David M. Piscitello
EtherLECs who want to maximize the capital they've acquired can look wishfully at the potential customer base that lies beyond the reach of their fiber partners. Or they may consider Free Space Optical. Columnist David M. Piscitello explains.

Defining The Product Jim Marsh 
The key to successfully defining a CLEC product lies not in the description, but to make sure that the CLEC can technically support it. Columnist Jim Marsh investigates and explains.

Why Metro Area EtherLECs Should (Still) Worry about DDOS Attacks David M. Piscitello 
Most CLECs understand that denial of service attacks can result in equipment failure, business disruption, and erosion of customer confidence. And it's inevitable that legal action will be taken against organizations whose equipment is found to have participated in a DDOS attack for failing to meet industry practices for hardening systems. Columnist Dave Piscitello analyzes and comments on the latest industry and hacker trends.

ISPs Should Still Become CLECs Jim Wagner
Reciprocal compensation revenues may be gone,  but that's no reason to drop plans to become a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC). In fact, an ISP's business may depend on it.

Taking Care of CLEC Customers Jim Marsh 
Customers are a CLEC's lifeblood. Columnist Jim Marsh discusses how to treat customers and compares them to a CLEC's precious jewels. 

Understanding USOC-It's Critical Jim Marsh 
Can you communicate with an ILEC using that all-important USOC? Columnist Jim Marsh explains the importance of this cryptic language. After all, according to Marsh, "if you can't speak USOC, you can't really be a CLEC."

CLECs as ISPs - What Went Wrong? Joel Maloff
[May 7, 2001] Why haven't CLECs been more successful as ISPs? Columnist Joel Maloff presents the harsh realities.

Make Your CLEC Succeed Jim Marsh 
Many CLECs fail because of their failure to properly map processes and assign responsibilities. Columnist Jim Marsh shows how can you guarantee CLEC success by flowing processes to a high level of detail.

DSL Providers Implode, as Stock, Bonds Wither Away CLEC-Planet Staff
[April 4, 2001]  Analysts said that bonds sold by the DSL companies have lost more than $2.3 billion of their value. Furthermore, Covad Communications, NorthPoint Communications, and Rhythms NetConnections are either out of business, or may be heading that way.

Successful Planning and the Outsource Option Jim Marsh 
To build a successful CLEC, you need a plan, as well as staff, and funds to support the operation as you build it. But have you considered the outsource option to help you get there?

EtherLECs and Security David M. Piscitello 
EtherLEC service providers appreciate the importance of security, but the nature and extent of necessary security services depends on many factors. Columnist David Piscitello investigates the security offerings from three EtherLECs: Telseon, XO Communications, and Yipes, and offers his analysis and advice.

Start a New CLEC? What Are You Thinking? Jim Marsh 
Launching a new CLEC is no simple project. If you're pondering such an idea, read Jim Marsh's discussion that is a dose of reality and a splash of cold water.  

Partnering With A Managed Security Provider Lisa Phifer
Increasingly, small business customers are looking to CLECs to complement broadband access with security services. And a growing number of managed Internet security providers stand ready to provide this. But is this a viable way for CLECs to offer security? Lisa Phifer explains. 

Firewalls and DSL David Piscitello 
When it comes to security, what should CLECs be providing to their customers? Read what columnist David Piscitello has to say.   

Improving Communications With Fear Jim Marsh 
Can fear improve communications within a CLEC organization? Columnist Jim Marsh discusses how.  

EtherLECs-Competitors or Saviors? David M. Piscitello 
Are EtherLECs potential competitors or partners for CLECs?  Read and find out as columnist Dave Piscitello explores the topic.  

Ethernet for Small and Medium Business Needs David M. Piscitello 
Ethernet over the local loop-EtherLoop-is compelling technology because it challenges the wisdom of utilizing a constant bit rate, full-duplex service. Columnist Dave Piscitello discusses the many benefits and why you may want to consider this technology.

Weekly Financial Report Wayne Kawamoto
[December 6, 2000]  e.spire shareholders approve three proposals, and OnePoint receives consents to modify or eliminate covenants on its senior notes. These and more in the week's financial report.

Managing Change and Keeping Customers Jim Marsh 
If CLECs want to keep their customers, they have to manage the change and stick with the process. Columnist Jim Marsh discusses why.  

Making the Most of Value-Added Partnering  Joel Maloff
Almost all CLECs can use an extra edge that distinguishes them from their competition. Columnist Joel Maloff explores the considerable benefits of value-added partnering, and how it can enhance your firm's product offerings. 

ASP Or Not To Be Joel Maloff
As a CLEC, have you considered the possibility of offering applications as an additional source of revenue? Columnist Joel Maloff explores the ins and outs of becoming an ASP.

Auditing for Dollars Jim Marsh 
Dollar for dollar, audits can reap huge benefits for CLECs. Columnist Jim Marsh discusses audit basics, and shows how some CLECs are leaving money on the table. 

Business-to-Business or All Things to All People  Joel Maloff
One of the major decisions that CLECs have to make is choosing whether to focus on customers or clients. Columnist Joel Maloff discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches. 

Paving the way for Broadband Content Delivery David M. Piscitello
Instead of searching for that single "killer app" that brings broadband local access into the mainstream, growth and acceptance could lie in simply adding innovation to the delivery. Columnist Jim Piscitello profiles companies that are developing new delivery services that the public may ultimately demand.

How Does a CLEC Get Started? Jim Marsh 
How does a CLEC begin to build its business? Columnist Jim Marsh explains concepts that new CLECs need to keep in mind.

Who Needs the Money? Patricia Fusco 
The former Bell companies complain that reciprocal compensation is costing them billions of dollars per year. Some DLECs were designed to take advantage of reciprocal compensation rules. There's no right or wrong, just different ends of a copper wire. 

CLEC/ISP Opportunities Take off Internationally  Joel Maloff
As a CLEC, have you considered expanding internationally? Columnist Joel Maloff presents the international opportunity for CLECs and profiles firms that are successfully stretching their boundaries. 

FCC Releases Report  CLEC-Planet Staff
The FCC recently released a report that discusses the competition in the market for local telecommunications services. The report indicates that competitors to ILECs can claim about 4 percent of the telephone lines that served end-users, and more.

The True Killer Application for Broadband Local Access - Pt. 2 David M. Piscitello
If you're convinced  that network access is the true killer application for broadband local access and a prime CLEC marketing opportunity, columnist David M. Piscitello describes four technologies for building residential LANs for customers. 

Securing Residential Broadband Connections:  Personal Firewalls  Lisa Phifer
Broadband providers such as EarthLink, Excite@Home, Prodigy, and BroadView, are showing that they care about subscribers by providing them with personal firewalls. Columnist Lisa Phifer presents a compelling case for personal firewalls, and discusses why CLECs may want to provide them to their residential customers.

Will ISPs Be Trampled in Dance of DSL Titans? Jim Thompson
RBOCs are leveraging their de facto control of the local loop to dominate the DSL market; CLECs are beginning to explore selling directly to end-users. Where does this leave ISPs?

The DSL Installer Will Be There Alex Goldman
Aelera's Customer Relationship Management software for DSL installs could solve the DSL industry's biggest problem—the long wait for installation—by efficiently allocating qualified installers.

Integrity and Truth for Superior Customer Relations Jim Marsh 
How can a CLEC offer the finest customer service that it can? Columnist Jim Marsh explores ways that an organization can improve its overall service and keep customers satisfied. 

The True Killer Application for Broadband Local Access 
David M. Piscitello
So what is the true killer app for broadband local access? Columnist David Piscitello presents his case for a prime marketing opportunity for CLECs. 

Protecting Against Fraud Jim Marsh 
Is your firm safe from fraud? Columnist Jim Marsh discusses the risk and how to deal against it. 

Voice Alternatives for DSL  David M. Piscitello
Is it time for your firm to make a move into the voice market? Columnist David Piscitello discusses the various voice technologies, how to choose one based on what you already offer, the issues that are independent of the voice technology you choose, and more.

Walking the Line with Risky Customers Jim Marsh 
Billed revenue is not necessarily paid revenue. Columnist Jim Marsh discusses how risk managers evaluate credit customers, and how a CLEC can do a better job of collecting the money that's due.   

Can Broadband Fixed Wireless Improve Your Bottom Line? David M. Piscitello
Broadband wireless can be the ticket to quickly providing service to some customers. Columnist David M. Piscitello explains the various technologies, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages, and the basics of going wireless. 

CLEC Lock-Out: A Vision Of Things To Come?  Philip E. Balevre 
Incumbents aren't the only ones trying to keep CLECs out of certain markets. Columnist and industry veteran Philip Balevre describes a growing threat that is preventing competitive telecom companies from adding specific types of new customers.

Making Sure Incumbents Shoot Straight On OSS John P. Kern
The law is clear: incumbents must make their operational support systems (OSS) as freely available to CLECs as they do for their own uses. But testing is essential to make sure that happens.  Columnist John P. Kern describes the ins and outs of third-party testing.

Special Construction: The Hidden Charge John P. Kern
Even if you carefully negotiate your interconnection agreement, you still can pay lots of money if the incumbent carrier claims that an unbundled network element is not available. Columnist John P. Kern tells you how to protect your interests from these hidden special construction costs. 

ALTS' State Of The CLEC Industry Report  
The Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS) has released its first annual report, which quantifies the tremendous gains by competitors since passage of the Telecom Act in 1996.  However, the report also concludes that there's a long way to go.

Revenues From ISPs Perilous To CLECs John P. Kern
CLECs figured out quickly that there's money to be made under reciprocal compensation agreements by terminating calls to ISPs.  However, times are changing and CLECs now pursue that source of revenue at their peril.

When ILECs Merge  John Kern
ILEC mergers can leave a CLEC's business operations in the lurch. Here are some practical steps to take when your incumbent carrier merges with another.