Discovery and pretrial proceeding should stretch into 2002, but a shadow will hang over Verizon until the case is resolved. They currently are requiring NorthPoint transferees to wait for new lines, but are talking with the telcos about direct switching. But a delayed financial report has produced enormous uncertainty, with fears of problems beyond the 51,000 lines not being recognized for revenue. ISPs continue to report intense negotiations on outstanding debt, as Covad tries to find mechanisms for avoiding surprises in financial reports. We're sending her a CD of Broadway's Betty Buckley to apologize for our typo.
Few journalists can take the time to cover a company in depth.
But the Internet is ending that free ride. Regional reports, like the Chicago Tribune's coverage of SBC's Pronto cutbacks, come to national attention, and user problems, typically unnoticed, now are reported worldwide. They look to reach 200K customers within the year, draw on strong ISP ties. NTT hasn't released Q1 numbers, but the massive growth will be later in the year. Deals -Covad will work with Compaq on a program for business.