Many DSL Internet Service Providers like AT&T, Earthlink, and CenturyLink share certain infrastructure. Whether it is a pole that both have lines running on or using the cables, wires and other equipment of a competing service provider to more cost effectively provide service to their own clients. It can save them money but it can sometimes also cause a lot of grief.
Usually things roll along fine but recently Mother Lode, a small DSL Internet Service Provider in Sonoma CA, suffered an outage they believe was caused by maintenance issues with the AT&T DSL network they use. AT&T is working to upgrade their network but it is still copper wire in a lot of locations. A major outage for Mother Lode numbers in the hundreds of customers going without service.
“Our copper network up here is very old, subject to moisture, and requires a lot of maintenance,” Mother Lode owner Ben Hulet said. “As they upgrade it to fiber, it’s going to get faster and better."
In addition to using AT&T's DSL infrastructure Mother Lode owns its own wireless Internet network. They also offer dial up Internet service in some areas.
Mother Lode has been providing Internet service to the Sonoma area since 1994. AT&T has been connecting customers around the country for more than a hundred years.
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