DirecTV begins shutting down DSL network

Hughes Electronics finally began flipping the off switch on its DirecTV DSL customers last week, ending a six-week transitional period for them to find other service providers.

After its proposed merger with EchoStar Communications failed last year, Hughes announced it would discontinue the synchronous DSL service -- gained via the purchase of Telocity in 2001 -- claiming it was too costly to maintain the money-losing venture. Originally, DirecTV gave its customers two weeks to find another provider or take advantage of hand-off arrangements it had with Verizon, SBC and BellSouth, but few customers made any moves whatsoever.

In contrast to the controversial blackouts delivered by NorthPoint Communications and Excite@Home in 2001 and 2002, DirecTV extended the shutdown for several weeks in order to move more customers off the network. DirecTV Broadband's website posted a note this weekend, however, stating the ISP would begin shutting down service immediately. The entire network is expected to go black by Feb. 28.

At it’s height, DirecTV DSL had 160,000 customers, making it one of the largest broadband carriers that was neither a cable company nor an RBOC.