Notice of MPLS Data Line Price Increases
Many credit unions use MPLS lines to connect to CU*Answers for their data processing. CU*Answers has been notified by Lumen (formerly CenturyLink), the provider of our MPLS data network, that they will be passing along price increases on data lines that they receive from third party last mile carriers. Price increases are already taking effect, and we believe all circuits delivered via copper lines (i.e. fractional T1s, T1s, and PRIs) will eventually receive price increases. Some price increases may be significant (triple or quadruple current costs). You should also expect price increases on your other copper lines not associated with CU*Answers data processing connections, such as your phone and fax lines.
If CU*Answers receives a price increase on your data line from Lumen, that increase will be passed along to you in your monthly CU*Answers data processing invoice.
While CU*Answers actively leverages the power of the network to buy data lines in bulk at low costs, the price of the last mile connection from the Lumen network to your buildings is set by third party telephone companies that can change their pricing with little notice. These are the increases that are being passed along to you.
Maybe Now is the Time to Switch to a VPN
For over 10 years, CU*Answers has offered a secure and encrypted internet-based VPN-only connection for data processing as a low-cost alternative to MPLS. Secure VPN connections are available for just $64 per month per connected branch location, and use your existing internet connection to carry the VPN back to CU*Answers. Order online today to get started with the move from MPLS to VPN and avoid the price increases.
If you have questions, please contact the Help Desk via phone at 616-285-5711 (or toll-free at 800-327-3478) and select option 2, or reach out to the Help Desk by email.
