Attention RPM : Locked routers! Action needed!

L

LancelotSA

Banned
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
14,713
Hi guys and specifically RPM,

This website has a reputation of trying it's best to improve ADSL provision in this country of ours so I am hoping someone in the know will provide an answer to this and perhaps a solution.

When cell phones first came out we heard of things like phones being locked to a particular network etc but then, if I am not mistaken, this was changed and now all phones can be used on any network. We have even gone so far as being allowed to port numbers.

Now the issue I have is that some ISPs seem to be going the same way in that they are "locking" routers to their specific ISP. Now I'm not sure at what point this verges on anti competitive behaviour but I am sure it must already. I am paying Nashua for my ADSL line rental and my 1Gb cap for a 12 month period and with that I have no problem. My problem is I then discover this Billion 7300G router will be useless to me once the 12 months is up unless I stay with Nashua!

From reading this forum I see it is not only Nashua who does this but Mweb too.

Please can the powers that be make some noise about this to ensure this anti competitive behaviour is stopped. Surely the 12 month contract is enough of a tie in?
 
rpm

rpm

Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jul 22, 2003
Messages
66,740
We will look into the issue: Not certain if it is illegal, but maybe at least worth highlighting the issue.
 
Grouter

Grouter

Executive Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
5,667
Flash the firmware with the generic and surely you should be good to go?
 
F

.Froot.

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
9,261
I have an answer without even the need to google it. The ISP's simply take the firmware for the router and creates a modification such that it only works on their network.... the working solution is to reflash the router with the generic/"non ISP" firmware. This will work.... unless the ISP takes away the firmware upgrade option, which will be very sly.

The ISP's implementation would only be illegal if they are not allowed to modify the sourcecode (ie firmware-code) of the router.
 
L

LancelotSA

Banned
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
14,713
froot said:
I have an answer without even the need to google it. The ISP's simply take the firmware for the router and creates a modification such that it only works on their network.... the working solution is to reflash the router with the generic/"non ISP" firmware. This will work.... unless the ISP takes away the firmware upgrade option, which will be very sly.

The ISP's implementation would only be illegal if they are not allowed to modify the sourcecode (ie firmware-code) of the router.
Click to expand...

Froot, don't google it... use this forum's search function. This has been discussed in depth on a number of threads and a simple firmware flash DOES NOT WORK!
 
F

.Froot.

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
9,261
Okay, thanks. You have any idea what method the ISP's are using to stop network-lock changes?
 
xrapidx

xrapidx

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
40,363
Do they advertise the free router as NETWORK locked? If not, report them to ASA.

Also, I could be way off, but weren't cellphone networks forced to stop selling network locked phones.
 
L

LancelotSA

Banned
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
14,713
F

.Froot.

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
9,261
xrapidx said:
Do they advertise the free router as NETWORK locked? If not, report them to ASA.

Also, I could be way off, but weren't cellphone networks forced to stop selling network locked phones.
Click to expand...

I'm checking out Vodacom ads and they are still selling network-locked phones.
This phone might not work on other networks
Click to expand...
 
xrapidx

xrapidx

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
40,363
I haven't seen one in ages... probably because its easy to unlock them :p
 
Roman4604

Roman4604

Executive Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2005
Messages
5,562
LancelotSA said:
From reading this forum I see it is not only Nashua who does this but Mweb too.
Click to expand...
There is a subtle but important difference between the two, Mweb provide the (locked) router on month-to-month.

Would be pretty stupid to give away a unlocked router when the monthly service fee is roughly 20% of the router's retail price?
 
L

LancelotSA

Banned
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
14,713
Roman4604 said:
There is a subtle but important difference between the two, Mweb provide the (locked) router on month-to-month.

Would be pretty stupid to give away a unlocked router when the monthly service fee is roughly 20% of the router's retail price?
Click to expand...

Ok, cool. But that is part of my argument in the Nashua case... if I stick with them for 12 months as I am contracted to, then what happens to my router if I decide they suck after this time? It becomes useless to me. They should at least be forced to unlock it after this period!

Do Mweb advertise that their routers are ISP locked?

I have sent a complaint to the ASASA stating that I feel mention needs to be made of this in all Nashua adverts...
 
B

bekdik

Honorary Master
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
12,860
While I can understand your being unhappy at finding that the modem is locked.

1. If it is supplied without charge then you always have the option of buying one that isn't locked.
2. It could only possibly be a real issue if the only way to access the network was via the network's locked modem, but even this is dubious as you always have the choice to use another ISP.

As a business choice I think that an ISP trying to lock its customers in by locking a free modem is being very stupid. If they are unhappy, then they will move even if it means parking the free modem in the trashcan. The way to retain customers is to provide them with a great experience. I would not consider using an ISP who offers a free locked modem as it's obvious that they don't offer a great experience but rather feel that they need to retain their clientele by coercion.
 
L

LancelotSA

Banned
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
14,713
bekdik said:
While I can understand your being unhappy at finding that the modem is locked.

1. If it is supplied without charge then you always have the option of buying one that isn't locked.
2. It could only possibly be a real issue if the only way to access the network was via the network's locked modem, but even this is dubious as you always have the choice to use another ISP.

As a business choice I think that an ISP trying to lock its customers in by locking a free modem is being very stupid. If they are unhappy, then they will move even if it means parking the free modem in the trashcan. The way to retain customers is to provide them with a great experience. I would not consider using an ISP who offers a free locked modem as it's obvious that they don't offer a great experience but rather feel that they need to retain their clientele by coercion.
Click to expand...

I have a second router already... my objection is that no mention at all is made of the router being locked. And although they may advertise the router as being free you are paying for it with your monthly subs... why not advertise then that you get the use of a router for 12 months? You know why, because not as many people will get tricked into taking this package if it was worded accurately!
 
F

.Froot.

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
9,261
bekdik said:
While I can understand your being unhappy at finding that the modem is locked.

1. If it is supplied without charge then you always have the option of buying one that isn't locked.
2. It could only possibly be a real issue if the only way to access the network was via the network's locked modem, but even this is dubious as you always have the choice to use another ISP.

As a business choice I think that an ISP trying to lock its customers in by locking a free modem is being very stupid. If they are unhappy, then they will move even if it means parking the free modem in the trashcan. The way to retain customers is to provide them with a great experience. I would not consider using an ISP who offers a free locked modem as it's obvious that they don't offer a great experience but rather feel that they need to retain their clientele by coercion.
Click to expand...

Why then if Nashua does it, Telkom doesn't? I got a free modem (they're not the best but they do work) and I'm using a different ISP.... no complaints though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top