RE: AT&T Worldnet problem

[Sean Donelan <sean () donelan com>]

Additional information from the AT&T web site about Wednesday's Worldnet
problem.

> An Apology... And an Explanation.
>
> On December 1, 1999, there was an outage that affected AT&T WorldNet Service
> members. First I would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have
> caused, and second, I'd like to explain what happened.
>
> This problem was not caused by AT&T's network. However, it did affect our
> system, and our members. Another Internet Service Provider made a network
> change that caused the public Internet to have incorrect information on how to
> reach AT&T WorldNet servers. As a result AT&T WorldNet customers could not
> browse the Internet, and mail from other Internet Service Providers to AT&T
> WorldNet members was delayed. AT&T engineers worked to isolate the problem and
> provided a work around to restore service by 4:30 p.m. In addition, AT&T
> notified the other Internet Service Provider, who in turn corrected their
> configuration. The smooth operation of the entire Internet depends on accurate
> information and cooperation from all Internet Service Providers. This reflects
> the distributed nature of the Internet and its design characteristics.
>
> AT&T WorldNet Service continually works to improve its service. In fact, based
> on a recent study by Solomon Wolff Associates, AT&T WorldNet Service was rated
> as having the highest level of customer satisfaction among the five largest
> Internet Service Providers.
>
> Again, you have our sincerest apologies for yesterday's outage. Please be
> assured that we are working to prevent this kind of an interruption in the
> future.
>
> Thank you for being an AT&T WorldNet Service customer.
>
> Ed Chatlos
> AT&T WorldNet® Service Vice President & General Manager