Short Take: Covad launches ISP switching plan

Covad Communications, a wholesaler of high-speed Internet connections, has introduced a new program aimed at helping customers of financially struggling broadband ISPs change their service provider to another supplied by Covad. The program, called Covad Safety Net, was necessitated by the financial condition of as many as 14 ISPs, including Flashcom, which were delinquent in paying their bills to Covad. The plan helps ensure that consumers of failing service providers don't switch to a non-Covad ISP.