Singapore

26 March 2013

Our wonderful ISP

Sometimes I think I live in Zimbabwe, Laos or some other Banana Republic. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Zimbabwe (oh maybe against the idiot who runs it), Laos or any other Banana Republic. I'm sure they're nice places on the whole. It's only lack of resources or wealth that keeps them  a little behind the rest of the world.

So when for the second time in as many months we lose our communications link to the electronic world, because we had a little rain, it just feels like we too live in a third world country.

Here, now comes the bit where we are trying to get some answers from Telstra, the fun begins. I phone the technical support in Mumbai, or New Dehli or wherever and try to explain to the nice gentleman that we have lost both broadband and Foxtel (Pay TV) and are wondering what's happening. I explain to the man that we also have a pre-paid Telstra modem, we use when we're travelling. I explain to the gentleman that we have two 3-G iPhones and none of the above devices allow us to read our email, or check on the weather report, let alone read the newspapers.

Oh my goodness me, do not worry, dear sir, he says, we will have this fixed in no time at all. That on Sunday evening. Within no time, I get disconnected. Oh well, we can't watch Downton Abby, so we might as well go to bed.

Monday comes and by Monday night, still no service, the Blogger then gives me a brochure from Telstra which is entitled 'Things are changing for the better.' This was obviously printed as a result of the terrible way Telstra treated it's customers under the leadership of the three stooges (Amigos) who ran the company with the sole purpose of enriching their lives and little else.

Smart move, Darling. The brochure goes on to say, ring us 24/7, making complaints is easier. So, back on the phone again, instead of watching Australian Story and Four Corners. This time I get Shane, a very nice Aussie lad, who checked and double checked and assured me by 11.00 pm, we would be back on line. Foxtel, Broadband and all. Thanks, mate, I appreciate it, I respond. So we watch a DVD and by 11. pm I try broadband again and hoorray, we're on line. Two days emails await to be answered, a quick read of the news headlines and off to bed. All's well again with the world.

Bright and early, the Blogger gets up to read her email, I hear a mutter emanating from her study. When I get up she informs me that the internet is still not working.

Back to the Things are getting better brochure and another call to Shane, who is still asleep. David answers in his place and is also very apologetic and after another investigation informs me it'll be midnight tonight before any action. All the neighbours on our side of the street are calling to say they too are without Foxtel and broadband. Except Kathy, who lives across the street says, what problems? My internet works fine.

I have a bright idea, we know the portable modem isn't working in the house, how about we try outside. It works. So we set up a table and a chair on the back bridge and we are on line, although with slow speed.

The Blogger works outside

In a fashion

with the WI-FI prepaid modem

That's when the neighbour calls, Guess what, we're on line! It's mid afternoon so a quick blog update and a read of the mail and we're leaving Harare back to Brisbane. Question is, we are having a U3A blogging class here tomorrow morning. Will the internet work?

Fingers crossed.




7 comments:

  1. If it was a storm, the like of which interrupts your power supply, it might be forgiveable. Nowadays, there is no excuse for 'technical issues'. Your internet connection should just work, all day, every day, just like the electricity does.

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    Replies
    1. Yes Andrew, we did lose power for a few hours and had dinner (cold) by candle light. But the power came back during the night. But this is the second time since Feb we had no broadband for 3 days. That's just not good enough.

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  2. I hope the U3A class went without any hitches!

    However whenever a company writes to you with a proud announcement of how 'Things are changing for the better,' it inevitably means that things will be worse. Glossy brochures and 'new and improved' really just mean staff cuts, outsourcing and less people to care about you.

    ....oh dear, I think I need a drink to get the bitterness out of my mouth!

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    Replies
    1. Yes Kath, I too feel the same way abot reductions in service and care but to counter that, prices usually go up.

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  3. We should really be happy that we do live in this country rather than real third world countries. However paying bills for services that don't work properly is very annoying to say the least.

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    Replies
    1. The nice man at Telstra has promised to give us 4 days off the bill for both broadnand and Foxtel. Let's check to make sure that happens.

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  4. We live in a world of high expectations and the more we have the greater our expectations. We worry about our broadband when there are over 900 million people in the world who worry about where their next meal will come from or, indeed, if they will get a next meal before they starve.

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