I sit here writing this post to you, using a pay-as-you-go dial up connection...I think you know where I'm going with this.
Maybe I'm cynical or watched too much X-files in my twenties, but I'm starting to get the impression that Orange are fully aware of their connectivity/contention issues and just aint bothered.
If you're like me (and I suspect you are), you've probably been on to the Delhi call centre (or wherever it is), been told that they'll check your line for you (possibly several times) and maybe, just maybe, if you've really persisted, you've been on to 'Escalation' (f86ck me, that sounds major doesn't it)...Chances are, if you've been through all that, you're probably (like me) still staring optimistically at that flashing green light, with your connection dropping off every time you want to use the internet.
Well, here's what I think...First off: Orange put their monthly fee up when they took over without notifying Wanadoo's existing customers (us) properly, so, it's obvious that they're on a penny pinching mission.
Secondly, and this is something you should know: Like any company who allow any kind of access to their servers, they'll have a bandwidth budget - More users = a greater 'traffic bandwidth' requirement = a greater cost...Now we can't have that can we? So what should we do? I know...We'll cap the bandwidth! - But what about increased contention rates when the internet is busy (like 5pm to 8pm)? - Ahhh don't worry hodges, we've got Delhi for that...Anyway if the worst comes to the worst, we can open up the bandwidth when it's busy, that'll take 'em by surprise...and completely close it out late in the evening (let me know if this rings a bell), because nobody uses the internet in the evening do they Hodges???Good idea Sir, but what if the customer gets upset??? Balls Hodges!!We've got the buggers for 12 months, what they gonna' do about it?
Well, what you can do is ask for your M A C code and take it to a decent provider...Now, you won't find your Orange representitive very forthcoming with this at first, until you mention a word that has magical properties...:OFCOM...It's amazing how someone can turn 360 at the mere mention of it.
Basically folks, I think Orange are charging you for a service that they know they can't provide...If you want to leave, then do...Be prepared to stand up for yourself though...They will persue, but remember who's on your side: Trading Standards (You can contact them through your local government office) The DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), various consumer rights organisations and my personal favourite: The Advertising Standards Association...You can talk to these people if you feel that Orange have lied or not fulfilled any promises laid out in their promotional material - Press, poster, TV, radio, banners, mailers...anything...I would like to state that I have no proof that Orange have lied at all...If they say I'm getting 2.2 meg per second, why should I have any reason to disbelieve them? Oh, there's Ofcom too.
Thanks for listening to my rant, I am now taking my migration (MAC) code to a Company that wants to work for a living.
Well, here's what I think...First off: Orange put their monthly fee up when they took over without notifying Wanadoo's existing customers (us) properly, so, it's obvious that they're on a penny pinching mission.
If they did put the prices up when it became Orange then this only really benefits existing customers as they are contracted for the service at a set price unless they choose to change package.
Anyway the prices have since fallen compared to the previous packages, which goes with the industry trend as a whole.
Orange don't care if the broadband connection works or not.
All you get is 'were doing a line test' etc etc.
You pay them money every month, they have you locked into a contract and the broadband is 'free' so why should they care - they don't lose any money if the broadband works or not.
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Oh, there's Ofcom too.
