Services and  rates:

Telecommunication rates are positively going down....different types of voice and data services are appearing daily with downward pressure on prices.  Service quality seems to be increasing with many new services.

Data services are suffering with the elimination of much needed support staff.  However, costs per service are being reduced by the strong competition that is forcing carriers to reduce prices.  As prices fall so must service quality. 

You must design these cost saving voice and data solutions with backup carriers and backup services so that the failure of a single carrier and in some cases failure of multiple carriers will not effect service.  This is done through careful planning and backup systems, software, and equipment.  Foundational inventories are essential to the development of a plan.

Account teams that were available for clients have all but disappeared.  The replacement are untrained staff working at desks that are unable to comprehend the complexity of service changes, contract negotiations, and just plan service issues.  The solution is to hire outside consultants and pay them on a percentage basis of what they actually save the business.  This will enable businesses to have experienced account teams that cost them nothing who can save money and improve service.

Voice over IP(VOIP)  is still in its beginning stages and is not proving to be super cost effective.  Campus environments are ideal places for VOIP while remote locations using the internet or Frame Relay networks are filled with echoes, jitter, and other technological issues that make it risky.

The Top ISP Report:

In the United States Level 3, Global Crossing, Qwest, Verio and WorldCom made the top 5 of the best ISPs in the United States with turn around times round-trip between a ping being sent from a Matrix beacon and its return (in milliseconds) of from 44.9 to 59.6.  This is certainly an acceptable speed.

Relief, Unbundled Network Element Pricing UNEP, will not  be going away soon which would have caused CLECs and even AT&T, WorldCom, and other carriers to be in big trouble.  However, they will no longer be able to sell certain high speed lines at low prices which will certainly enable some carriers to raise prices for high speed services.

Be careful and only sign Long Distance contracts that you understand...

Diversify, have redundancy and negotiate custom clauses that protect you from common troubles with telcom carriers.  Do not sign an agreement unless you fully understand all the clauses.  Do not fall for the trap of discounts off tariff whereby the carrier can raise its prices and you cannot terminate the agreement.  Lastly, make sure you understand that the salesperson will not necessarily suffer any consequences if what you get is not what he/she promised.  That is why more and more businesses are using professional negotiators like Alliance Telecommunications.

TIDBITS:

1. Legacy billing systems cannot keep up:  Billing errors are appearing on most bills.  Some of the biggest challenges facing carriers is that their legacy billing systems cannot customize billing to match complex promotional programs developed by carriers to increase business.  These errors take months and many calls just to get noticed by the carrier.  They eventually get fixed however, without patience and lots of persistence the problems will only get worse.

2. Things are getting worse:   ATI has just had the best December and January in its history thanks to your support.  Billing problems seem to be getting worse.   Our clients seem to need our services more now than ever.

OUR PROMISE TO YOU: "ATI is able to dramatically reduce your telecommunication costs.  We are not affiliated with any carrier(s).  Also, we are able to find you the  most cost effective solution(s) for your telecommunication needs and protect you from the financial troubles of carriers by developing redundant systems.  We audit your voice and data network(s) and implement approved cost saving suggestions"  saving from 10% to 40%.  Just call (248) 307-0052...

We hope you will look forward to the Communicator and would appreciate any feedback that you would like to provide. 

Please email comments to dc@auditbills.com

Alliance Telecommunication Inc.

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