Jeff -
We've been using Brooks for about 6 months and haven't really had any
problems. The major difference between Brooks and Pac Bell is about
$200/month in cost for PRI (at least in this area), with Brooks charging less.
The one thing you'll need to pay attention to with Brooks is whether your
circuit is resale, "type 2" or "on net."
Best is "on-net" where your building has fiber running to it and a Lucent
broadband/narrowband shelf unit in your phone closet interfacing the fiber
to the copper cables running through the building.
The so-called "Type 2" circuits are similar, except Brooks uses one or more
T-1's to get to your building if there is no fiber on your street. In this
case, they buy the unbundled loop for the T-1 from Pac Bell and replace the
fiber interface on the broadband side of the shelf with a T-1 interface
(this is all assuming you have additional services beyond a single PRI from
Brooks).
Least desirable is where they simply "resell" you a PRI from Pac Bell at
some PUC-mandated discount. It just adds another layer of administrative
complexity when something goes wrong. If there is a problem, you need to
call one company who can't physically do anything to the circuit, and the
company that can (Pac bell) won't talk to you directly. Ugh.
If you're on-net, Brooks is way-cool!
Damien
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