In an unsurprising move, Veracity Networks will transfer ownership of the iProvo network back to the city of Provo as it has been unable to generate enough revenue to make the purchase feasible. Provo has already instituted a monthly utility charge to all residents and businesses in the city to pay for the current debt load on the network. Veracity will continue to operate the network under a 14-month lease agreement, paying Provo $95,000 per month plus a cut of revenue from future subscribers. Interestingly, all customer revenues are going into an escrow account that will pay the city before Veracity gets its share and the city will be responsible for all network infrastructure costs including installations.
The agreement has been framed as a chance for Provo to figure out what it wants to do, and there doesn’t appear to be anything ruled out. I wouldn’t be surprised to see new providers added to the network, or for the city to seek out new partnerships, either with another private company or a public entity like UTOPIA. The final vote will be on March 20.
We have been a loyal and longtime Veracity customer, then things changed. Issues of refusal to change (reduce) services unless we pay a $25 ‘change fee’ and agree to at least one year service contract. Then when we disagreed, and insisted that we wanted the services removed, they threatened to cut off our service for nonpayment. Plus we were told the international long distance rate was $.14 cents per minute, twice. Then when we get the bill, it was $.68 per minute. When asking where the rates were on their web site, we were told the rates are not on the web site. We then asked for them to be emailed, which did not happen. Asking again we got the rates, but with a condition that the rates are ‘about’ what is charged as the rates change based on ‘call routing’.
We were firm and got past the reasons they could not help us ranging from ‘legal regulations’, ‘policies’ etc. and most of the issues are being resolved. Lots of no return phone calls,, ignored emails, or give them a number to call and they call the number on the account instead. Seems like no one over there replies to emails, or reads their records or not even sure if they keep them. It only took three months.
Would like to hear if others have had similar experience?
I’m wondering how to get information on Veracity’s services. They have a line into the building where my office is, so all I’d have to do is run perhaps twenty feet of cable to it, but on their website there is no mention that I can find of fiber service. All I see is information on their ADSL service, which is of no interest to me.
Unfortunately, the best way is going to be to call them. The website can provide some generalized information, but that’s pretty much it.
Pingback: Provo Set to Announce Google Fiber | Provo Buzz
Pingback: Google Fiber might be coming to Provo | LNW
Pingback: Google Fiber might be coming to Provo | Headlines
Pingback: Provo, Utah is the next stop for Google Fiber — Tech News and Analysis
Pingback: N4SA.com | Google Fiber might be coming to Provo
Pingback: GIASTAR – Storie di ordinaria tecnologia » Blog Archive » Provo, Utah is the next stop for Google Fiber
Pingback: Google Fiber might be coming to Provo - Talk Tech
Pingback: Techno Vision – Google Fiber might be coming to Provo