I discovered today that in 2009 it’s as hard, if not harder to transfer an internet connection than it was in 2004 (the last time I tried to move an ADSL connection was ironically with iiNet as well)…and in 2004 I lived in country WA where choice wasn’t exactly thick on the ground.
First I tried to transfer my Naked ADSL2+ with iiNet to the new place. I’m told that the cost is $450 ($300 supposedly because the place is new) and that they can’t tell me whether there’s room at the exchange anyway. If I did apply, I’d find out in 10-20 days (presumably working days) if there was space for me (there’s limited or no space according to a couple of online services). I move next week. Even better: I can’t keep my iiNet VOIP number or my user name….that’s BS, given the number isn’t based on the exchange.
I’m pissed about the $300/ $450, but I’ll cop to it if it means that I’ll definitely have a connection…which they can’t tell me.
So then I start the hunt. Internode, a company that is probably the most loved ISP in Australia at least admitted that if I read online that there are no or limited availability in the exchange (iiNet wouldn’t admit to this…despite me looking at it on the screen) that this means there’s really no ports. They said I could try, but were honest and upfront about the chances. As soon as I get the opportunity in the future, they have my business.
Next stop Netspace. Limited of No availability listed. Didn’t bother ringing.
TPG and Primus: availability, but they won’t connect a Naked plan unless there’s a pre-existing phone connection…which sort of defeats the purpose of not getting a phone connection on a naked ADSL plan.
So now I’m back to square one. It seems that the only safe route at this stage is to get the phone connected with Telstra, get a standard ADSL2+ with someone (god knows who) then eventually churn to a Naked ADSL2+ plan. So much for living a life online without a landline phone.
It proves to me, as Chris Were pointed out on Twitter, that we need an NBN. Fuck the cost, we need it any which way but blue.
It’s complete bullshit that in 2009 I cant get a high speed internet connection put on in less than 2 weeks, or even as the case is so far, in 4 weeks, if it all. And it’s not as though we’re moving to the country, the exchange is Box Hill in Melbourne. Middle Urban Melbourne (although we live a little closer in, just at the end of Zone 1 on transport).
The NBN can’t come fast enough.
I picked up this issue a while back when noticing the comments of friends moving to new apartments
Telstra illogically requires a fixed line to be connected for new accounts before they let u apply for a Naked dialtone free ADSL2+ account with another provider
This makes apartment hunting really difficult for anyone who runs a home office because ADSL2+ applications can take 2-3 weeks to find out if you can get a port, in the meanwhile you'll have had to sign a lease, pay bond etc so are locked in regardless of whether you can get ADSL2+ or not 🙁
I was reduced to dial-in access when I moved in late 2007. I didn't appreciate broadband until then. But the experience did change the way that I think about the web. Luckily it was resolved in about two weeks – but not without a bunch of calls, escalations and out-and-out whinging.
Hiya Duncan,
Spot on: how's this from the last few years:
3 weeks to get a business phone moved with Primus & 10 hours of combined labour.
$850 in disconnect fees & phantom charges from an ISP. Another ISP went bust, shut down all services, didn't tell customers until they couldn't connect.
Finally, Webcentral. 20 hours of effort to try & sort out 3 day outage of email & 6 months without fully functioning email.
The question becomes how the hell do you do business with the pack of lobotomized hairless chimpanzees that run the ICT sector in Australia? I've given up & switched to US companies mainly.
Even sadder, these marauding herd of insults-to-Darwinian–evolution, supervised by illiterate himbos/bimbos & managed by aging bald-headed former Telstra employees simply refuse to accept any innovation or change…
Christopher Hire
Yep, I went with the iiNet Naked DSL option and it took 6 weeks to connect thanks to Telstra. While waiting to get connected I had to use wireless Mobile Broadband from Three, which was completely unusable during peak hours (the only time I got the advertised speeds of 600kbps to 1.5Mbps was at 3am in the morning). Dial-up would've been quicker, but unfortunately I couldn't get that either until Telstra did their thing (which they were in absolutely no hurry to do).
Ouch, that sounds like a painful but fairly common story. Having worked for both the largest telco and one of the smallest ISPs, plus a global ISP in the middle, my solution in the broadband era is simple – move just once, ensuring that you are now in spitting distance from an exchange. Retain a full service Telstra landline and reject any Optus offer to use their exchange equipment. Then pay through the nose for a good independent ISP's fastest broadband, even if it is 'slower' than other offers. Never move, never churn, never go 'naked'. Just bleed money and hope for better times in the next life. A secure solution, but not for everyone, I know.
I had the same issue about 3 weeks back. The end result with iiNet was that within a week, they managed to transfer everything over to the new place. But my account was for a normal ADSL2+ account. However, what I found incredulous was that I had to get a new Telstra landline number!
I completely agree with the your statement,
I completely agree with the your statement,
I completely agree with the your statement,