There’s an ugly competitive battle brewing between Qwest and SkyWi, a New Mexico based WISP. Qwest provides wholesale bandwidth and interconnection services to SkyWi, and disconnected the WISP back in December 08, claiming non-payment. SkyWi claimed ‘foul ball’ and admitted it owed Qwest some money, but disputed the amount. They had already filed suit against Qwest claiming anti-competitive practices and racketeering. The New Mexico public service commission intervened and told Qwest to turn their service back on, pending a Feburuary 11, 2009 hearing, which Qwest complied with. At least initially. Latest word is Qwest has disconnected SkyWi again. “At 8:00 a.m. this morning, the PRC orders were violated,” said SkyWi CEO Allen Witters in a January 28th news release. The dispute affects approximately 13,000 Internet and 5,400 phone customers in New Mexico and surrounding states.
Can’t we all just get along?
