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Some phone, Internet connections not yet restored
CARLSBAD, Jan 07, 2009 (Carlsbad Current-Argus - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Although phone and Internet service for Eddy County government has been restored by Qwest, the county's Artesia offices have limited phone service and still no Internet, county leaders were told Tuesday.
On Dec. 29, Quest disconnected independently owned and operated Internet service provider Ski Wi Inc., contending Sky Wi owes $1.7 million for services dating back to September.
The county's phone system is provided by One Connect IP, a voice over Internet protocol. Sky Wi acquired One Connect IP and ZiaNet in September.
Eddy County Manager Allen Sartin said some Band-Aid fixes have been made to the telephone service in the county's Artesia offices, as well as in Carlsbad. But there is no Internet service in the Artesia offices, leaving the Motor Vehicle Department there struggling to take care of business. The county contracts with the state to operate the Artesia MVD office.
Sartin said the county needs to become quickly independent of its current service provider that buys wholesale Internet services through Qwest before reselling them to its customers.
"The situation is still very tenuous," Sartin said. "New Mexico Public Regulation Commission ordered Qwest to immediately restore the service. But the PRC's injunction against Qwest is only good until Jan. 13, when a hearing has been scheduled before a federal judge."
That hearing could result in the service being turned off, Sartin said.
"Federal judges are not always sensitive to
local needs. I'm very concerned that this is not going to go well," he said. "In the meantime, we are working on finding an alternate service supplier."
Sartin put county leaders on notice that he might have to call a special meeting next week after the federal hearing.
He said Qwest could possibly keep the service on beyond Jan. 13, explaining that the federal judge could decide to issue his ruling in 60 to 90 days, rather than immediately. However, the county needs to be prepared for a ruling in favor of Qwest.
Sartin said the county was left without phone service about mid-morning Dec. 30.
The phones and Internet in the Carlsbad offices were working on Thursday New Year's Day then went down briefly and were back up again Friday morning.
The county contacted the PRC Dec. 31 to let it know the seriousness of the situation and that the county was not given any warning that the service would be disconnected. The PRC held an emergency meeting that afternoon and ordered Qwest to restore service to its customers.
"We need to take a stand and go a different direction," Commissioner Guy Lutman said.
Sartin replied that even if the county were to contract with a new provider, Qwest would still be in the picture.
"Whoever we deal with, they will have to go through Qwest," Sartin said. "Qwest provides all the background services in this area," he explained.
Commissioner Jack Volpato asked County Attorney Cas Tabor if there are any legal avenues the county could pursue.
Tabor replied that there is probably some legal recourse the county can take, but he would have to look into it.
"I know this. The PRC is not very happy in what Qwest did to the county," he added.
To see more of the Carlsbad Current-Argus, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go
to http://www.currentargus.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Carlsbad Current-Argus, N.M.
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