[EAS]Bankrupt Networks

pjk pjk at design.eng.yale.edu
Thu Jul 25 02:58:54 EDT 2002


Subject:   Bankrupt Networks

(from Edupage, July 24, 2002)

CONCERNS GROW OVER POSSIBLE NETWORK DISRUPTIONS
Recent troubles, including some high-profile bankruptcies, in the
telecommunications industry have caused concern about the viability of
high-speed research networks. Two trans-Atlantic circuits between
Internet2's Abilene backbone and its European counterpart, Geant, had
been provided by KPNQwest, which recently declared bankruptcy. The
circuits are still functioning, but it is not clear for how long
because no one is maintaining them since KPNQwest's bankruptcy.
Replacement circuits have been ordered from Level 3 and Deutsche
Telekom, but continued friction among telecoms threatens to delay
activation of the new circuits. Instability in the telecom sector
poses potential setbacks for other projects, as well, including a
planned upgrade of the Abilene backbone by Qwest, a shareholder of
KPNQwest.
Chronicle of Higher Education, 23 July 2002
http://chronicle.com/free/2002/07/2002072301t.htm

KPNQWEST TO SHUT DOWN NETWORK
Officials at KPNQwest said they have begun to shut down their network,
formerly Europe's largest, handling about half of the region's
Internet traffic. KPNQwest declared bankruptcy in May. Since then,
court-appointed trustees of the company have kept the network running.
Last Friday, however, was the last payday for the staff, who
subsequently walked out, leaving the network running but without any
support. An official at KPNQwest said that because its customers had
time to find other carriers, he expected the impact of the shutdown on
Internet traffic to be small.
CNET, 24 July 2002
http://news.com.com/2100-1033-946056.html







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