N. Idaho Internet provider goes offline for second time

COEUR d’ALENE — Internet provider Imbris has been off line since late Tuesday night.

Bill Maeder of Sandpoint said he tried several times to access the Internet early Wednesday and again Thursday. All failed. Calls for help went to recordings.

He said he’s had Imbris for a number of years and service has been good.

“I’ve never had a complaint,” he said.

Until now.

“This is going on two days,” Maeder said.

This is the second time Imbris has had technical troubles within a month.

Imbris had a “major circuit outage” for a day in late March that prevented its customers from accessing the Internet and unable to reach anyone.

Then, owner Jim Fowler, based in Eatonville, Wash., said he worked through the night to correct the problem. He said he received so many calls, the system was overwhelmed and he could not return them all. Fowler could not be reached Thursday.

Phone calls to Imbris went to recordings, but callers could not leave a message because the voice mailbox was full. A call to the technical support number received this recording: “I’m sorry. The number you have reached is not eligible for technical support. Please hang up and try a different number.”

The Imbris Web site was also off line.

Fowler said in March he bought the 10-year-old business in November and is the only employee. He said the Imbris Coeur d’Alene office at 610 Hubbard is closed and no longer manned by an employee.

Fowler said since he bought the business, he’s been working to make upgrades, add new services, develop partnerships and “stabilize things and bring more to the local economy.”

Maeder said he just wants to talk to someone at Imbris.

In the past, Maeder was always able to get personnel on the phone if he needed help or technical support.

“Now, I can’t get anybody,” he said.