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CPUC Tells Northpoint To Restart Network

Posted by timothy on from the john-galt-networks-inc. dept.

cprael writes: "According to San Jose Mercury article, the California Public Utilities Commission has ordered Northpoint to relight their network and provide all California customers service for 30 days. The intent being to allow them time to migrate to a new service in an orderly manner. This is probably the tip of the iceberg in terms of court actions - personally, I expect to see a lot of lawsuits aimed at Northpoint, the ISPs, and anyone else within reach over Northpoint's abrupt shutdown." It will also probably strike at the heart of arguments about how regulated (and by whom) ISPs ought to be.

7 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. And in other news.. by Aphelion · · Score: 4

    SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- California regulators Friday ordered NorthPoint Communications Inc.'s remaining five employees to upkeep the major internet service provider's operatons and swindle its service providers out of monetary obligations for another 30 days.

    One anonymous official said: "I don't see how a company going bankrupt has anything to do with its service being suspended. This shouldn't happen."

    It remained unclear, however, how exactly operations would be upkept, as the majority of Northpoint's staff has been laid off, and its bills have remained unpaid for over a month. Regulators say they will not pay Northpoint's bills but expect them to provide service anyway.

  2. Unfortunatly, there realy is no more Northpoint by jcarl · · Score: 4

    According to http://biz.yahoo.com/apf/010330/northpoint_closure _2.html, there doesnt seem to be anyone left to turn on the lights. the remnants of what was NP only exist to continue a $1B suit againt Verizon.

    1. Re:Unfortunatly, there realy is no more Northpoint by scoove · · Score: 4

      How dare those Northpoint employees leave their jobs without taking care of the customers. So what if there's no money left for payroll - serves them right for running such a crummy company.

      While we're at it, let's get that sock puppet back on TV and start pumping out the pet goodies retailing at 50% of cost. Consumers have a right to underpriced goods - it's the Priceline way! (you knew it was only time until Shatner ran for Gov!)

      And if Nevada and Oregon don't want to continue to provide Californians energy at the price Californians named, then what are those National Guard folks doing sitting around? Fire up the tanks, we've got a green economy to fuel!!!

      And I thought there weren't any plans to make Atlas Shrugged into a movie...

      *scoove*

  3. Busy Pencil Pushers by QuantumG · · Score: 4

    Man.. you would figure the California public utilities commission would have enough on it's plate at the moment! "Damn, my ISP just went down.. guess that UPS I bought wasn't the only thing I needed to do to guarentee my 24hr/day mp3 snarfing abilities."

    --
    How we know is more important than what we know.
  4. Re:Turning Point in History? by cybermage · · Score: 5

    When ISP service becomes a legal right instead of a luxury service, I think it's safe to say that the Internet has taken its place as a fundamental part of life in society.

    Ahhh... but at what cost? Everything in life, down to the basic elements of Earth, Wind, Fire and Water are regulated by goverments both local and national.

    If the government now sees Internet access as a right, God help us. You see, each government, from the smallest local one, to the U.N. believe they are legislating to the benefit of their constituents, but clearly they don't all share the same ideology. It will be impossible for businesses to comply with (or probably even be aware of) every regulation at every level of government in every place where they do business (thanks to the Internet.)

    Remember the story of Yahoo vs France over Nazi memorabilia. That's not even the tip of the iceberg. It's just a slight dip in the water temperature caused by a giant iceberg over the horizon.

    Never be happy that the government thinks something is fundamental or important. Nothing good can come of it.

    --

    --
    Some people have a way with words, and some people, um, thingy.
  5. Wow by logiceight · · Score: 5

    I am currently with covad but I am not worried about them becoming bankrupt becau

    DSL service terminated

  6. Bandwidth as a utility by aethera · · Score: 5
    The most interesting precedent I see being set here is that this decision is coming down from a utilities commision. In most cases I don't think the government can or should be able to force a company to stay in business, but utilites, like phone, electric and water are a notable exception. These businesses can't just shut off services because what they provide is so necessary to basic needs.

    It is really interesting to see this same idea being equated with ISPs. If anything, it shows how important and and integral part of our lives the internet has become. So in this case, I agree with the State of California. Northpoint provides a valuable service that is a necessary part of economic survival for many businesses. They can't just pull the plug.

    Of course, a similar situation has occurred in the past when the government has forced striking workers back to work, or that failing, manned their positions with soldiers. Sergeant Sys Admin anyone?