Beware Neotel SUCKS!! - Waiting for a solution from them.

[reech]

Fair enough, guess it kinda makes sense for noobs as the connection is straight to the PC rather than through a router.

[rtzouves]

I agree 100%, but I think the reason for the outcries/anger from customers is the fact they the denied having blocked them from the start. Had they simply stated that incomming connection were blocked by default and you could get them unblocked upon request would have saved many of us a great deal of time and frustration.

For interest sake the ability to phone neotel and request incomming ports be opened is a relatively new one as before you would simply be told that they do not block anything and therefore the problem must be your side.

[Nod]

It would be even nicer if they had a tick sheet with application you use frequently, so that they can unblock those ports when they activate your connection.

[Toxin]

It would be even nicer if they had a tick sheet with application you use frequently, so that they can unblock those ports when they activate your connection.

That's actually not a bad idea.

[Turiko]

I think that blocking ports is a good thing. I have no need for incoming connections so why open myself up to the security risk? You give them a call and they unblock them. As easy as that...

For me it's not a good thing- Do you do any p2p? or use programs like IRC, MSN, and Mxit? Do you use remote access? If so, your good idea will break all of these programs.
I can't see how an ISP can be expected to compensate in this manner for the customer's resistance to purchasing a router/firewall.

[pkid]

For me it's not a good thing- Do you do any p2p? or use programs like IRC, MSN, and Mxit? Do you use remote access? If so, your good idea will break all of these programs.
I can't see how an ISP can be expected to compensate in this manner for the customer's resistance to purchasing a router/firewall.

p2p - nope
IRC - nope
MSN - seems to work with all incoming ports blocked on my ADSL router so I doubt Neotel will break it...
Mxit - same as MSN.

I'll only know when I finally get coverage but maybe the suggestion that on the application form they put frequently used apps and allow you to tick the ports you want open?

[chubster]

what sux is that i can't get coverage, and that they dont have rev A yet.

an expresscard mini rev A card with data only option even if it was R500 more once off, would also be great.

I agree

[Turiko]

p2p - nope
IRC - nope
MSN - seems to work with all incoming ports blocked on my ADSL router so I doubt Neotel will break it...
Mxit - same as MSN.

I'll only know when I finally get coverage but maybe the suggestion that on the application form they put frequently used apps and allow you to tick the ports you want open?

The problem with this is it creates an administrative nightmare for them. Why are you so resistant to buying or using a router when they're cheaper than the broadband modem?

[orin76]

Do you use remote access? If so, your good idea will break all of these programs.

Is anyone on Neotel using remote access? I would think that with upload speeds of around 5kB/s, the experience would not be a pleasurable one.

[iandoug]

For me it's not a good thing- Do you do any p2p?

Ktracker (linux bittorrent client) works fine... Port is set to 6881 and UDP tracker port is 4444. Did not have to request anything from Neotel.

Dunno about the mules and donkeys, don't use them.

Disclaimer: am behind an IPCop linux firewall, but it was a new install for Neotel, and I haven't tweaked ports or anything on there. All plain vanilla.

Cheers, Ian

[Kasbah]

Is anyone on Neotel using remote access? I would think that with upload speeds of around 5kB/s, the experience would not be a pleasurable one.

I use RealVNC, connection to San Diego US, am running on NeoConnect Lite and have no problems at all, in fact runs better than my previous 512 ADSL line did.

[peanuts]

I've been with Neotel about 2 months now. I have DAILY problems with their neoflex data package. Usually when I try connect nothing happens. IE or mozilla simply freeze until i turn the modem off. I stay in an area with 'excellent' signal supposedly, yet this morning, which is the 3rd time this week, I have very weak signal. I've tried downloading a 3meg file and it gets to about 10kb then hangs. Yesterday I couldn't get on at all until about 4pm. Then it worked fine but 2day I got low signal.

I thought 'OK, it must be a virus or something messing up my connection from my side", even though I do an update daily. I formatted, reinstalling windows so null effect.

This happens CONSTANTLY!!! I'm forever phoning them, we sort the problem out, only to have a screwed up connection the following day. The best thing about this is its a 24month contract. So if i want to cancel my contract, i have to pay for the remainder 22months.

[nelesh]

Hey guys, on the (maybe a bit off) subject of port blocking. I've got a dyndns account and would like to remote my machine from work. I have a Dovado UMR and a neotel connect prime. I've already setup the port forwarding for 3389 on the UMR and rdp is enabled on the machine. So do I need to call the crapdesk.. I mean helpdesk to open 3389?

[moni1_1]

As an ISP, offering IPTV and internet services to customers, reliability and quality links combined with professional end to end service is mission critical to the success and sustainability of my business. My company provides Bulgarian, Russian and German channels to clients who otherwise do not have access to any TV in their own language.
After careful evaluation of several bandwidth providers, Neotel’s NeoLink service offering (security & reliability, flexibility, robustness, rapid deployment, SLA delivery, scalability and affordability – referhttp://www.neotel.co.za/wps/portal/neotel_business_data_neolink), was the solution I finally trusted for my business.
We opt for the NeoTel fiber 15MB's package with the promise of reliability and sustainability at just under R12k per month.
http://www.neotel.co.za/wps/portal/!...LOBAL_CONTEXT=

BUT DON’T BE FOOLED! After experiencing huge network problems the past view weeks , having furious clients scream at me for not being able to watch the Olympics, I found out today that my subscription actually varies from 0.8MB , 1.5MB, 2.2MB international, while my subscription initially allowed for a minimum of 10MB international.
After numerous attempts to get support from Neotel’s technicians I have been told that my line has no issues and that there is nothing that Neotel can or have to do about my problem.
I was also told by our service manager today that my contention ratio is 1:10 and if I am not happy with the service I should cancel my subscription. You can imagine the impact on my business!!
ALL POTENTIAL CLIENTS BE WARNED!!! Neotel’s empty promises and wonderful packages which seem too good to be true in fact is a big fat marketing scheme. Steer clear!!!
In another incident earlier this month and before I discovered the horrendous instability of my link over the past few days, I also subcontracted Neotel to do an installation at one of my VIP clients where they guaranteed a full 8MB connection speed. After waiting 4 months for their team to perform the installation, I was told on the day of the installation that only 5% signal strength can be obtained which caused installation to be impossible. Leaving me to deal with an extremely unhappy client and causing huge damage to my credibility.
They do not supply the speeds they promise/advertise. Connection constantly drops. Problems are regular. Customer support is 3rd grade, at best! This is a company that SA needs for the sake of competition. But currently, this company is no competition. If only they could supply what they advertise. FAIL - BIG TIME!