I really hate unsubstantiated rumors. But a source called me today and told me that PacWest Telecom is in the process of laying off 25% of their workforce -- mostly sales and support staff. Let me repeat: I HAVE NO CONFIRMATION OF THIS RUMOR. However I did try to call about 12 people at PacWest and got no response. Not a single marketing or PR person picked up the phone. The one employee I was able to reach had a "no comment" and promised to transfer me to marketing, where another voice mailbox greeted me. Now PacWest is a public company, and if they were to lay off so many people they would have to come clean about it. Chances are there's nothing to this. But you never know. So I will continue to try and find out what's really happening. Until then if anyone hears something, give me a shout. My e-mail's open 24hours a day: itpress@tmcnet.com