ISPs & UBS

[Simon Cobb]

I'm seeking clarification from the group on the current state of UBS and
high speed internet access. I'm currently with MaxNet on a JetStream
Surf unlimited plan. A couple of days ago I received an email from
MaxNet offering to move me over to their new 256KB UBS plan (MaxSurf
256k Unlimited) for $49.95 per month. The change would be effective
from 22nd Nov. I phoned MaxNet and told them that rather than move to
their 256KB UBS plan I wanted to move to the new 2MB JetStream Plus
plan, announced a month or so ago by Telecom as being available from
24th October. MaxNet advised that this was not an option with them at
this time, but that it should be available within 6 months.

So my questions are:

1. Are the high speed high volume plans (e.g. 2MB 10GB) only available
now through Xtra?
2. Should my ISP be able to provide access to the new high speed plans
in the same way as I currently access my JetStream Surf plan through
them (i.e. non-UBS provision)?
3. Are other ISPs in the same situation of not being able to offer the
high speed plans?

If what MaxNet tell me is true, then at this point in time, in order to
benefit from high speed high volume internet access, I'm forced to
change ISPs to Xtra. Surely the Commerce Commission must have something
to say about this?

Please somebody tell me that I've got this wrong and that high speed
Internet access is available via more than one ISP in New Zealand.

Simon

[Claire Hurman]

Hi Simon,

The 1M and 2M plans are only available to other ISP's through the Telecom
wholesale/resale option.

Not all ISP's have decided not to resell these particular plans (there's not
much margin).

Quicksilver Internet ARE offering these plans. We felt it was more important
to be able to offer a full range of options to our customer than get great
margins right now. We make more money on some plans, and less on others, but
we are offering the full range.

I'm not going to post links, but the plans are available on our website (or
contact me offlist for more info).

Regards
Claire Hurman
Quicksilver Internet

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-***@unixathome.org [mailto:owner-***@unixathome.org] On Behalf
Of Simon Cobb
Sent: Thursday, 21 October 2004 10:02 a.m.
To: ***@lists.unixathome.org
Subject: ISPs & UBS


I'm seeking clarification from the group on the current state of UBS and
high speed internet access. I'm currently with MaxNet on a JetStream Surf
unlimited plan. A couple of days ago I received an email from MaxNet
offering to move me over to their new 256KB UBS plan (MaxSurf 256k
Unlimited) for $49.95 per month. The change would be effective from 22nd
Nov. I phoned MaxNet and told them that rather than move to their 256KB UBS
plan I wanted to move to the new 2MB JetStream Plus plan, announced a month
or so ago by Telecom as being available from 24th October. MaxNet advised
that this was not an option with them at this time, but that it should be
available within 6 months.

So my questions are:

1. Are the high speed high volume plans (e.g. 2MB 10GB) only available now
through Xtra? 2. Should my ISP be able to provide access to the new high
speed plans in the same way as I currently access my JetStream Surf plan
through them (i.e. non-UBS provision)? 3. Are other ISPs in the same
situation of not being able to offer the high speed plans?

If what MaxNet tell me is true, then at this point in time, in order to
benefit from high speed high volume internet access, I'm forced to change
ISPs to Xtra. Surely the Commerce Commission must have something to say
about this?

Please somebody tell me that I've got this wrong and that high speed
Internet access is available via more than one ISP in New Zealand.

Simon
--
This message is part of the NZ ADSL mailing list.
see http://unixathome.org/adsl/ for archives, FAQ,
and various documents.
To unsubscribe: send mail to ***@lists.unixathome.org
with "unsubscribe adsl" in the body of the message

[geoff]

(oops forgot to send this to the list)

Post by Simon Cobb
1. Are the high speed high volume plans (e.g. 2MB 10GB) only available
now through Xtra?

No, All ISP's who partner with Telecom can resell the high volume plans. You
dont have to leave Maxnet and join Xtra.

Post by Simon Cobb
2. Should my ISP be able to provide access to the new high speed plans
in the same way as I currently access my JetStream Surf plan through
them (i.e. non-UBS provision)?

They can, if they resell Telecom Jetstream.

Post by Simon Cobb
3. Are other ISPs in the same situation of not being able to offer the
high speed plans?

They should be.

Geoff.
(not on behalf of)
Maxnet

[l***@ihug.co.nz]

Post by Simon Cobb
I'm seeking clarification from the group on the current
state of UBS and high speed internet access. I'm
currently with MaxNet on a JetStream Surf unlimited plan.
A couple of days ago I received an email from MaxNet
offering to move me over to their new 256KB UBS plan
(MaxSurf 256k Unlimited) for $49.95 per month. The change
would be effective from 22nd Nov. I phoned MaxNet and
told them that rather than move to their 256KB UBS plan I
wanted to move to the new 2MB JetStream Plus plan,
announced a month or so ago by Telecom as being available
from 24th October. MaxNet advised that this was not an
option with them at this time, but that it should be
available within 6 months.
1. Are the high speed high volume plans (e.g. 2MB 10GB)
only available now through Xtra?

No any ISP can offer them. Orcon is. Not sure about Ihug
since they seem to be only concentrating on UBS with their
bliiink packages (same brandname as in Aussie). It's up to
ISPs. Of course, the fact that they get little money from
these packages and are only offering support and e-mail etc
and that these packages are competing with their UBS means
many might be relucant. With Ihug and a few others, the fact
their tolls customers need to pay $10 more is going to make
them even more reluctant. Having said that, if they are
going to lose customers, they might change their minds. I
suspect a number of ISPs had already assembled their
marketing plans etc and got very pissed and are also very
uncertain what to do when Telecom announced this about a
month ago. They might still be waiting to decide. Since
these plans are not going to be offered until October 25th,
the ISPs might think it unnecessary to talk about them until
then. Better to get as many UBS customers as they can in the
interim.

Post by Simon Cobb
2. Should my ISP be able to provide access to the new high
speed plans in the same way as I currently access my
JetStream Surf plan through them (i.e. non-UBS provision)?

Yes. I'm pretty sure this was mentioned when these plans
first came up if you want to look back.

Post by Simon Cobb
3. Are other ISPs in the same situation of not being able
to offer the high speed plans?

As mentioned, I don't think it's a case of MaxNet being
unable to offer. They might just not want to offer. Or maybe
they just want to not talk about it until October 25th.

Did they actually tell you Telecom would not let them offer
these packages or did they just say we are unable to offer
2mbit connections to you (which doesn't mean they can't just
that they don't want to)?

I'm a bit surprised they claimed they would be able to offer
2mbit in 6 months (or did you just ask for high speed?). To
my knowledge, Telecom have never annouced a date for
offering 2mbit UBS. They have said 1mbit UBS would be May
which is a bit over 6 months away although we can't be sure
they will keep this promise. I've already suggested if 1mbit
is in May, 2mbit will probably be in July at the earliest.
But then maybe with the fuss of them offering their 2mbit
package just as ISPs are offering UBS, they've changed their
ISPs and told ISPs this. Or maybe MaxNet are just assuming
2mbit will be 6 months away since (i-)UBS was 7 months from
the launch of the 256k JS Surf packages.

Post by Simon Cobb
If what MaxNet tell me is true, then at this point in time
, in order to benefit from high speed high volume internet
access, I'm forced to change ISPs to Xtra. Surely the
Commerce Commission must have something to say about this?
Please somebody tell me that I've got this wrong and that
high speed Internet access is available via more than one
ISP in New Zealand.

Well Paradise and one or two other ISPs offer Cable through
TC's cable. In a number of CBDs you can get fibre through a
number of ISPs. About 5 ISPs are offering Wired Country
service. There are one or two ISPs offering wifi service.
Ihug are still offering their Ultra, both terretrial and
satellite. ICONZ is going to launch their satellite service
soon. There are a number of high speed options from a many
diff ISPs. The main trouble is probably the reach/avaibility
of these options and/or price :-P

[David Mill]

Post by Simon Cobb
1. Are the high speed high volume plans (e.g. 2MB 10GB) only
available now through Xtra?

As far as I know, at the moment Telecom offer these plans. For the ISP
component (most ISPs charge $10 for this) you can use any ISP. This could be
Xtra or could be another ISP. The Telecom portion will get charged by
Telecom.

Eg. Jetstream Plus = $59.95 from Telecom and $10 from your ISP. If you do
your tolls through Telecom.

http://www.inspire.net.nz/jetstream-residential.htm - example offerings on
our rather out of date webpage.

Post by Simon Cobb
2. Should my ISP be able to provide access to the new high speed
plans in the same way as I currently access my JetStream Surf plan
through them (i.e. non-UBS provision)?

Yes.

Post by Simon Cobb
3. Are other ISPs in the same situation of not being able to offer
the high speed plans?

I'd say with Maxnet it's more of a political problem than a technical issue
that they are currently not offering Jetstream Plus etc.

Another thing I should add is in the future ISPs should be able to wholesale
these plans. This means the complete bill coming from your ISP and your ISP
taking a (small) cut. This may be what Maxnet is waiting for...

Yes, I work for Inspire. No, these views are not Inspire's.

Dave

[Simon Cobb]

Thanks for the feedback to my earlier post. Based on the responses I
received, I rang MaxNet again, who confirmed that, contrary to the
advice they gave me earlier this week, it WAS possible to switch to the
higher speed (non-UBS) plans. They adjusted my account over the phone
to move me over the new 2MB JetStream Plus plan. They tell me that the
new speed will kick in from the beginning of my next billing cycle (1st
of each month). So from 1 Nov I go from 256Kbps to 2Mbps for the same
$$$ - sounds good to me. In due course (the sales guy said December,
but I'm not holding my breath) MaxNet will offer a high speed UBS
option. If it's competitive, then I'll switch to this service.

Regards,

Simon

[Te Aroha]

Hi Simon

I just spoke to the representative that you were talking too. There maybe some
confusion over what was communicated. The technician advised you that we are
able to give you access into Telecom's 1/2meg plans and that the confirmed
billing date (confirmed by yourself) for you on Telecom is the 1st of the
month, where our charge for you remains the same, ie, ISP access fee of $10
per month. Telecom will more than likely cut you over on whatever day they
switch to the 2 meg plans, which is scheduled for October 25th, it is not
complicated by your billing day with us either as the charge remains the same.

To clarify the higher speed services under UBS, I can safely confirm that we
do not believe it will be December, or even this year, but we are certainly
hoping its sooner rather than later. It is, as you say, in due course.

Regards
Te Aroha
Maxnet (and on behalf of)
Customer Services Manager
http://www.maxnet.co.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-***@unixathome.org [mailto:owner-***@unixathome.org] On Behalf
Of Simon Cobb
Sent: Thursday, 21 October 2004 12:04 p.m.
To: ***@lists.unixathome.org
Subject: RE: ISPs & UBS

Thanks for the feedback to my earlier post. Based on the responses I
received, I rang MaxNet again, who confirmed that, contrary to the advice they
gave me earlier this week, it WAS possible to switch to the higher speed
(non-UBS) plans. They adjusted my account over the phone to move me over the
new 2MB JetStream Plus plan. They tell me that the new speed will kick in from
the beginning of my next billing cycle (1st of each month). So from 1 Nov I
go from 256Kbps to 2Mbps for the same $$$ - sounds good to me. In due course
(the sales guy said December, but I'm not holding my breath) MaxNet will offer
a high speed UBS option. If it's competitive, then I'll switch to this
service.

Regards,

Simon


--
This message is part of the NZ ADSL mailing list.
see http://unixathome.org/adsl/ for archives, FAQ, and various documents.
To unsubscribe: send mail to ***@lists.unixathome.org with "unsubscribe
adsl" in the body of the message

[Te Aroha]

Apologies all

It appears I have erred. Lines will be upgraded (from 256k to 1/2M) on their
billing date AFTER October 24th/25th, which is a different communication to
what I received 2 weeks ago.

Regards
Te Aroha
Maxnet
Customer Services Manager
http://www.maxnet.co.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-***@unixathome.org [mailto:owner-***@unixathome.org] On Behalf
Of Te Aroha
Sent: Thursday, 21 October 2004 12:46 p.m.
To: 'Simon Cobb'; ***@lists.unixathome.org
Subject: RE: ISPs & UBS

Hi Simon

I just spoke to the representative that you were talking too. There maybe some
confusion over what was communicated. The technician advised you that we are
able to give you access into Telecom's 1/2meg plans and that the confirmed
billing date (confirmed by yourself) for you on Telecom is the 1st of the
month, where our charge for you remains the same, ie, ISP access fee of $10
per month. Telecom will more than likely cut you over on whatever day they
switch to the 2 meg plans, which is scheduled for October 25th, it is not
complicated by your billing day with us either as the charge remains the same.

To clarify the higher speed services under UBS, I can safely confirm that we
do not believe it will be December, or even this year, but we are certainly
hoping its sooner rather than later. It is, as you say, in due course.

Regards
Te Aroha
Maxnet (and on behalf of)
Customer Services Manager
http://www.maxnet.co.nz

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-***@unixathome.org [mailto:owner-***@unixathome.org] On Behalf
Of Simon Cobb
Sent: Thursday, 21 October 2004 12:04 p.m.
To: ***@lists.unixathome.org
Subject: RE: ISPs & UBS

Thanks for the feedback to my earlier post. Based on the responses I
received, I rang MaxNet again, who confirmed that, contrary to the advice they
gave me earlier this week, it WAS possible to switch to the higher speed
(non-UBS) plans. They adjusted my account over the phone to move me over the
new 2MB JetStream Plus plan. They tell me that the new speed will kick in from
the beginning of my next billing cycle (1st of each month). So from 1 Nov I
go from 256Kbps to 2Mbps for the same $$$ - sounds good to me. In due course
(the sales guy said December, but I'm not holding my breath) MaxNet will offer
a high speed UBS option. If it's competitive, then I'll switch to this
service.

Regards,

Simon


--
This message is part of the NZ ADSL mailing list.
see http://unixathome.org/adsl/ for archives, FAQ, and various documents.
To unsubscribe: send mail to ***@lists.unixathome.org with "unsubscribe
adsl" in the body of the message


--
This message is part of the NZ ADSL mailing list.
see http://unixathome.org/adsl/ for archives, FAQ, and various documents.
To unsubscribe: send mail to ***@lists.unixathome.org with "unsubscribe
adsl" in the body of the message