Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:58:52 -0400 (EDT) From: BCPL.NET SysAdmin To: BCPL.NET News Subject: [BCPL.NET NEWS] BCPL.NET To Discontnue Service June 30 ------------------------------------------ BCPL.NET TO DISCONTINUE SERVICE ON JUNE 30 ------------------------------------------ I have broadcast hundreds of BCPL.NET NEWS messages to our customers since 1995, but this has been by far the most difficult one to write. There have been several newspaper articles and a radio interview recently about the discontinuation of Baltimore County Public Library's dial-up Internet service. The purpose of this e-mail is to clarify the situation and to answer the questions we hear most often as a result of that publicity. If you have questions or concerns not answered here, please call the BCPL.NET Accounts Desk (410-887-4172) or Help Desk (410-887-3297). Doing business as BCPL.NET Internet Services, Baltimore County Public Library has provided dial-up Internet access to residents of Baltimore County and vicinity since 1995. Since the beginning BCPL.NET has been expected to generate enough revenue to cover its own operating costs as well as to contribute supplemental funds to the library's budget. Over the years BCPL.NET has contributed approximately $3.5 million in supplementary funding for books, computers, additional staff, and many worthwhile projects that would otherwise not have been affordable. In recent years the demand for high-speed broadband Internet access has increased dramatically, with a corresponding decrease in demand for the slower dial-up access offered by BCPL.NET. Small providers like BCPL.Net are not able to provide broadband service at rates that are competitive with large-scale broadband providers like Verizon and Comcast, who have the advantage of economy of scale. In fact small dial-up providers like BCPL.NET now find it difficult to compete even in the dial-up market. In recent years most small providers have been absorbed by larger providers, who are able to offer prices lower than ours due to economy of scale. Consequently, BCPL.NET has been gradually losing customers to large broadband providers like Verizon and Comcast. We have found it increasingly difficult to attract new dial-up customers to replace those who leave because our price is no longer considered low. The result had been a gradual decline from a high of about 9,000 customers in the spring of 2003 to about 2,500 at the time of this e-mail. We realized long ago that DSL and Cable Modem would eventually replace dial-up as the preferred method of Internet access, and now Verizon has added FIOS to the broadband mix. Because of this, for the past several years we have periodically examined BCPL.NET's position in the marketplace and its long-term viability as an Internet service provider. According to financial projections compiled by BCPL's Fiscal Services Department as part of that process, we will begin operating in the red after the end of June 2008 if we attempt to prolong the life of the service beyond that date. Some time ago we reached the point where BCPL.NET was no longer able to contribute supplemental funds to the library budget. By June we will have reached the point where BCPL.NET cannot even cover its own operating costs. Therefore, after careful consideration we decided that BCPL.NET Internet Services should cease business operations on June 30, 2008. This was not an easy decision. After providing the service for so many years it isn't easy to let it go, but we have no other choice. Working with the library administration we arrived at the following procedure for closing down the service: Beginning November 15, 2007: - We stopped accepting applications for new accounts. - We removed all advertising and application forms from BCPL libraries and from the BCPL.INFO and BCPL.NET web sites. - In place of the renewal notices normally mailed out six to eight weeks prior to account expiration dates, we began mailing "non-renewal" letters explaining that we are going out of business and why. - Each account holder received an automated reminder e-mail soon after his/her letter was mailed, and another shortly before the account's expiration date. - Customers whose accounts expired prior to June were allowed to renew through June for $10 per month. Week of May 4, 2008: - Every customer whose account expires after June 30, 2008 will be sent a letter explaining that we are going out of business and why. Included with the letter will be a refund check for an amount prorated according to the time remaining on the account. June 30, 2008: - Final day of service. That's an awkward place to stop, but I can't think what else to say at this point. The very best to all of you, Chip -- Chip Old (Francis E. Old) E-Mail: ispadmin@bcpl.net BCPL Network Operations Administrator Phone: 410-887-6180 Manager, BCPL.NET Internet Services FAX: 410-887-2091 Baltimore County Public Library 320 York Road Towson, MD 21204 US BCPL.NET CONTACTS: ----------------- Web Site: http://www.bcpl.net Administration & Policy: ispadmin@bcpl.net 410-887-6180 Sales, Renewals, Account Status: accounts@bcpl.net 410-887-4172 Technical Support (Help Desk): help@bcpl.net 410-887-3297 E-Mail Abuse Reports: abuse@bcpl.net 410-887-6180 Domain Name Service Issues: dnsadmin@bcpl.net 410-887-6180 FAX: 410-887-2091