Telecompetitor

Earthlink delivered some interesting financial results for 4Q08. Net income totaled $27.2 million, $0.25 per share compared to a net loss of $9.5 million, $0.08 per share, in 4Q07. For the full year, net income totaled $189.6 million, $1.72 per share, compared to a net loss of $135.1 million, $1.11 per share, in 2007. Unfortunately for Earthlink, the improvements are a result of aggressive cost ...

HiWired Inc. announced a partnership with Windstream to provide online tech support for Windstream’s Internet customers. In a press release HiWired says, “Windstream TechHelp, powered by HiWired, will offer an instant tech support help desk for consumers needing assistance with set-up, repair or any question regarding PCs or other peripheral devices.” The remote tech support model is one that’s being adopted by numerous service providers, ...

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving AT&T and LinkLine Communications Inc. LinkLine is an ISP which buys wholesale broadband circuits from AT&T and then uses those circuits to compete with AT&T in some California markets. It’s a scenario played out all across the country with other incumbents and competing ISPs and CLECs. LinkLine sued AT&T, citing unfair and ...

In an interesting dial-up to broadband conversion strategy move, AT&T is raising the cost of its dial-up Internet service above its broadband DSL service. New dial-up customers will pay $22.95 per month for dial-up, and existing $9.95/month and $15.95/month customers will see their monthly costs rise to $15.95 and $22.95 respectively. AT&T’s lowest published DSL price is $19.95/month, although a condition of their Bellsouth acquisition compels them to ...