eli@pws.bull.com (Steve Elias) (04/13/90)
[ this is from an anonymous source within US Sprint ] A few months ago, ATT wiped out more than 50% of ITS TOTAL CUSTOMER BASE, AND THEY COULDN'T MAKE CALLS FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 17 HOURS!!!!!! SPRINT NEVER DID THAT!!!!! A MONTH AFTER THAT, ATT DID THE SAME THING WITH ONE OF THEIR 800 EXCHANGES! Seriously, how quickly they (those who slam everyone but ATT) forget a major catastrophe like that! The fact remains - right now, we are the only 100% digital fiberoptic network there is PERIOD. ATT wrote down losses of >$6billion at the end of 88 for accelerated depreciation of old equipment for a REASON. They just are not as great as everyone thinks! They have 10 times the money that we do, but if you think they would have spent it on upgrading their equipment if they weren't responding to competitive pressure, you're nuts! Digital technology has been around for a long time; certainly before Sprint started using it. ATT had the opportunity to upgrade to digital technology many years ago, but they did not. The fact is, Sprint, MCI, and ATT all offer quality service these days. That wasn't always the case. But the service that you get from any of these carriers now is much better than the service you would have gotten from ATT six years ago. You should thank Sprint, rather than slamming them, for having the balls to push the modernization of America's phone system. And by the way, the probability of you getting disconnected on a Sprint call is certainly no greater than getting disconnected on an ATT call. Also, the long distance calls you make today cost you on average 40% less than they did six years ago. Maybe you should ask ATT to give you the service and higher prices that you had six years ago if that's what you want. (Note: The signalling system which ATT was deploying which caused the crash of 50% of their network has already been deployed at US Sprint for over a year!) [ end anonymous message ] ; Steve Elias, eli@spdcc.com. !! MAIL TO eli@spdcc.com ONLY !! ; 617 932 5598, 508 671 7556, computerfax 508 671 7447, realfax 508 671 7419 [Moderator's Note: I think this person makes some valid comments worth consideration. What I don't understand is why they felt it had to be anonymous. Since Steve Elias has assumed responsibility for replies, I agreed to post it, but Sprint employees should note they are as welcome to participate here as anyone. PT]