Date: Thu, 09 Jan 92 15:33:13 EST From: "Manavendra K. Thakur" <thakur@zerkalo.harvard.edu> ... Given that ANS plans to actively compete with NEARnet and other regionals for the same end customers, how long will ANS and NEARnet (in this specific example) be able to maintain an amicable business relationship? Makes you think, doesn't it? ANS's sales person for the Bay Area joined the BARRnet staff for lunch some time back. As he gave his pitch about working WITH BARRnet to develop the market. We pressed and he admitted that they would be seeking to woo the same potential client base. I then asked point-blank what they were going to do to help BARRnet preserve and grow its membership in light of his admission. He hemmed, hawed, and finally admitted that they would not make any effort to help preserve BARRnet. Quite frankly, it leaves absolutely NO question in my mind where ANS stands with regard to BARRnet (and I can probably extrapolate this to the other regional service providers). Oh, by the way, for those of you who haven't heard, BARRnet has applied for membership with the CIX. Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN Lloyd & Associates Principal and Network Architect 3420 Sudbury Road brian@lloyd.com Cameron Park, CA 95682 voice (916) 676-1147 -or- (415) 725-1392