The government did not say you must provide service with out payment. They just said that you cant shut them off if they are already customers and due to change in employment or covid infection. You keep billing and when its all over they still owe. It all comes due. I know that does not pay the monthly bills. But they cant shut you off either.
I agree that Eric should broach this subject with the state. But some of this directive is from the Federal government. Steve Barnes Vice President of Operations NLTC.com NLBC.com From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org <indiana-boun...@wispa.org> On Behalf Of Jim Smutniak Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 5:29 PM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting Eric, Thank you for taking on this role, and for participating in the daily conference call. I feel a concern shared among small independent service providers is that the government is ordering our companies to continue to provide service to non-paying customers. Small service providers may not be able to sustain the hit to cash flow while having the ability to keep services operational. Many consumers are in a cash flow crunch, so they will ask themselves what invoices do I have to pay and what invoices don't I have to pay at this time? The state of Indiana is telling them they don't have to pay our invoices, so we know the answer. Loans will not resolve the issue, because loans must be repaid and loans assume we will also eventually be paid by delinquent customers. So the question is, given that the State has ordered us to provide critical services without expecting payment in return for the services, what is the State prepared to do to ensure that service providers can continue deliver these necessary services to the public? [cid:image001.jpg@01D2F41D.B2989A20]<http://www.pickmta.com/> [cid:image002.png@01D2F41D.B2989A20] <https://www.facebook.com/pickmta/> [cid:image003.png@01D2F41D.B2989A20] <https://twitter.com/pickmta> [cid:image004.png@01D2F41D.B2989A20] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwest-telecom-of-america> James Smutniak Midwest Telecom of America, Inc. 1567 E.93rd Avenue Merrillville, IN 46410 1-800-935-2181 Direct: 219-750-1812 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org<mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org> [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Eric Rogers Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 1:40 PM To: indiana@wispa.org<mailto:indiana@wispa.org> Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting Everyone, Now that we are officially on "Shelter In Place," our group is now having a conference call at 10:00 AM every day. If anyone has anything for tomorrow's meeting, please feel free to let me know. Please use this forum (Indiana WISPA list) to officially communicate. Anyone is welcome to reach out to me personally outside of email as well. One thing that we will be discussing in our daily briefings are needs. If someone needs a generator for instance, they could reach out and a nearby operator could then help their neighbor. Eric Rogers [PDSConnect_logo-Connecting You to the World - Signature Logo] www.pdsconnect.me (317) 831-3000 x200 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org<mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org> [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Eric Rogers Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 8:53 AM To: indiana@wispa.org<mailto:indiana@wispa.org> Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting So I recently have transitioned into this role, but was not given the call in information in time, so I was unable to attend. I will attach some of the information that was sent so that you are informed. There are two pieces of information that I have received, one that the CISA released https://www.cisa.gov/news/2020/03/19/cisa-releases-guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workers-during-covid-19 that is guidance, that communication providers are to staff as needed to provide the services necessary. The second document I have attached is the 2015 Homeland Security communications sector plan. Since it was developed in 2015, I would assume it would be of good guidance until we hear otherwise. Scott already sent out the letters from DHS and CISA for travel and fuel. If anyone has any questions, please forward them, either on-list for discussion, or off-list. Thank you for all you do, Eric Rogers [PDSConnect_logo-Connecting You to the World - Signature Logo] www.pdsconnect.me (317) 831-3000 x200 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org<mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org> [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Jim Smutniak Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2020 4:04 PM To: indiana@wispa.org<mailto:indiana@wispa.org> Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting Any feedback on the outcome of the conference call? The Governor today announced that internet and telephone service cannot be shut off for non-payment at least until May and possibly beyond if the emergency is extended. Comcast and AT&T can survive something like this. Companies like ours will have a much harder time. SBA loans are available but are not helpful because they have to be repaid and personally guaranteed by the business owner. When the State permits customers to consume our services without paying for them, personal guarantees do not seem appropriate. A grant would be more appropriate in this situation. [cid:image001.jpg@01D2F41D.B2989A20]<http://www.pickmta.com/> [cid:image002.png@01D2F41D.B2989A20] <https://www.facebook.com/pickmta/> [cid:image003.png@01D2F41D.B2989A20] <https://twitter.com/pickmta> [cid:image004.png@01D2F41D.B2989A20] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwest-telecom-of-america> James Smutniak 1567 E.93rd Avenue Merrillville, IN 46410 1-800-935-2181 Direct: 219-750-1812 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org<mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org> [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of ORI.NET - Scott LePere Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 11:03 AM To: indiana@wispa.org<mailto:indiana@wispa.org> Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting We are doing the same things as you steve. From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org<mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org> <indiana-boun...@wispa.org<mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org>> On Behalf Of Steve Barnes Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 10:41 AM To: indiana@wispa.org<mailto:indiana@wispa.org> Subject: [Indiana] Meeting There is a conference call today with Scott Rudd of the lieutenant governor's office that the WISPA coordinators will be invited to. This meeting is with all Indiana telecom associations. They're wanting to know what the different internet providers in the state are doing to help their subscribers during the Corona virus situation. How have you changed your normal operating procedures. I know our company has signed on to the FCC keep America connected. We are not doing any kind of free upgrades at the current time or free installs. But are being very lenient to frustrated customers because we know they're stressed. We have also changed our install and repair procedures for entering people's houses. We make sure that there are no sicknesses in the home, techs where gloves and shoe covers while in the home, wash hands before and after, request that the customer keep social distance, and the text can leave at any time they don't feel comfortable. We have also stopped requiring customer to sign documentation if the customer is being a pain they can take a picture of the customer with a thumbs up in front of the paperwork. What else are you guys doing? Steve Barnes Vice President of Operations New Lisbon Telephone Co. New Lisbon Broadband Comm. NLBC.COM 765-332-2413 [cid:image009.jpg@01D6012D.F4F03F70] [cid:image010.png@01D6012D.F4F03F70]
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