How long to release line from previous DSL ISP

[MosDef112]

I'm dreading the worst ordeal trying to get Telocity, now DirecTV DSL, with regards to having them release my line. I discontinued service with them a year ago on the line I'm trying to get released. Funny thing is that I contacted Verizon to find out if there's even a circuit attached, and to my surprise they did find DSL signal on the line. How inept can they be?? Anyone ever had Telocity, and tried discontinuing service from them? How long did it take before line was released? Anyone particularly in zip code 10462? Thanks.

[CompGeek83]

call the phone company and have them "release" the line, if your old ISP wants the line so bad even if your not paying them for it then mabye they dont need it at all

[MosDef112]

Tried doing that. Even though they were more than willing to find out if there's even an actual circuit still in place, which they did, they also said they can't grant my request due to legal implications involved. I even said that I'd relieve them from any liability resulting from this, so I couldn't bribe my telco even if I wanted to!! The next DSL ISP I'm trying out, AceDSL, said to try placing an order again next week to see if it goes through. I guess I'll wait and see.

[Kip Patterson]

Have you called Telocity/DirecTV Dsl and asked to have the line released? If not, do so, keeping records of when and who you talked to.

If they fail to do so in a reasonable length of time, and you should agree with them on the phone as to what constitutes a reasonable period of time, send them a letter by certified mail reciting your earlier interactions, giving any information you can to help them locate your records and take action. Set a deadline.

If that fails, then you can go to an attorney or to your state's consumer counsel and ask for help.

The phone company is not likely to release the line absent action by DirecTV or a court order.

Good luck, I bet you will need it.

Kip

[MosDef112]

Funny thing is that Telocity's billing department explained that all they need to do is send out a spreadsheet to Verizon detailing that they no longer have interest in that line, and to release it. The billing department rep claims this was sent to Verizon, and that the only delay in this process would be the time Verizon actually takes to release the line. What's more frustrating is that Verizon will not disclose any further information to me since I'm not a Verizon Online DSL customer, so it's not like I could call them and keep harassing them to get it done. Someone must have the number to Verizon's third party service department, I'm sure they can fill me in on more info, hopefully that is. Anyone??

[Kip Patterson]

Wrong Verizon - Verizon Online has nothing to do with Telocity's service to you. You want Verizon, the ILEC. They are by law separate, and Verizon Online cannot have access to their records even for Verizon Online customers. Call your local buainess office, tell them the date the spreadsheet was sent, and ask why it was not released.

You do have some leverage here. The ILEC is accountable to the state public utility commision.

Kip

[MosDef112]

I did attempt to contact Verizon, not Verizon Online, at first. Rep simply told me that I need to contact Verizon DSL for DSL related issues, and that Verizon wouldn't know or have access to that kind of information. I know they're bullsh*tting me, but the nearest I got to helpful info was by contacting Verizon Online DSL. What else would you suggest?

[Kip Patterson]

Well, the rep was wrong. I suppose that you could go to a business department manager, who ought to know that the FCC requires that the relationship between Verizon and Verizon Online is required by law to be at arm's length, and ask him why the line wan not released.

I would think the best approach is as outlined originally. Write Telocity and ask them to provide you with documentation that they asked/informed Verizon to release the line. With that in hand, go to the Verizon (ILEC) business office and ask them to do what Telocity told them to do. If they fail to do that, ask in writing, and copy the PUC.

Kip

[MosDef112]

Yeah.. I suppose I can do that. How successful I'll be is a different matter at hand. Often they operate like no one department knows another, like it's hard for them to pick up the phone and make an effort to coordinate proper communication to one another.

[fluffy]

call this number 1 877 483 3350 this is EPAC.. its like provisioning for verizon...(if that happens to be the wrong # just ask for the EPAC number when you get to speak to someone)

they will ask for your phone number,etc,... you know the spewl.

tell the technician your perdicament,
if he says that you have to take it up w/ the old isp,
tell him you have already done so, and that they offered no help.

request that he confrence w/ the listed technical contact w/ the old isp.they can do this. if he refuses to do so ask to speak to a supervisor. (please be nice)

this is usually how stuff like that gets cleared up... confrence calling...

[MosDef112]

Thanks for the tip fluffy. I'm usually nice to the reps at my ISP and Verizon, being mean usually gets you nowhere. So don't worry, thanks again. ;)