Boycott MWEB. Because they don't care if you leave...

[TEXTILE GUY]

I think the main the issue that concerns me, is the 'suck it up" attitude of MWEB. They have issued the letters, and they don't care what justification, excuses or comments have come back. They have issued their reasoning - albeit rather nebulous, and that's that.
The responses to this issue have been by and large - copy and paste. When I pointed out that another ISP has a leader board rather than a threating letter policy, MWEB were quick to remind me that as the bigger ISP, MWEB could do as they please?

Now, I am not an IT guy, but I still don't get it. If MWEBs definition of 'abuse" is a bunch of people (3% - is that 1000 or 100000 people??) moving heaps of data, and this is affecting the other 97%, then why are MWEB still selling contracts?
Surely this adds to the problem, and at point of saturation they will have another 3% and so on.
Surely - if they have an issue with data quantum - then spell it out. Tell me what the limit is - albeit an uncapped limit. If the issue is to do with overloading exchanges - well surely that's not the customers problem? I also don't quite get this, if I can only get 2Mb on my line, how would paying more for a 4 Mb line change anything, other than me paying more?
If they want to throttle me, then why call it a 2 Mb package? This whole sales pitch is more confusing than the fine print on an insurance policy..... Coincidently, the other ISP gave me an idea of when I would be shaped and throttled, and the reasons for that. Cool, I was told upfront.

Surely, if MWEB can make up rules as they go, then the bunch of people who are so pro MWEB will be at risk of some nebulous change in future, hung on the unquantified AUP? An when this happens, they will again simply say "suck it up"?? Some of these will undoubtedly be in the new 3% ... and then?

So, why would anyone see MWEB as being honourable? Sure, MWEB is a business, but the ethics come into question. The question I ask myself, is ... would I want to do business with people like this? Clearly their attitude of superiority may be appealing to some, but I don't see how what they are doing is ethical or honourable. 3 years of no problems with MWEB, then someone decides to change the business plan, and blames customers??

And I can tell you, as a normal consumer who has certainly tried in vain to understand this with MWEB - they don't care.

 

[Necuno]

I think the main the issue that concerns me, is the 'suck it up" attitude of MWEB. They have issued the letters, and they don't care what justification, excuses or comments have come back. They have issued their reasoning - albeit rather nebulous, and that's that.
The responses to this issue have been by and large - copy and paste. When I pointed out that another ISP has a leader board rather than a threating letter policy, MWEB were quick to remind me that as the bigger ISP, MWEB could do as they please?

Now, I am not an IT guy, but I still don't get it. If MWEBs definition of 'abuse" is a bunch of people (3% - is that 1000 or 100000 people??) moving heaps of data, and this is affecting the other 97%, then why are MWEB still selling contracts?
Surely this adds to the problem, and at point of saturation they will have another 3% and so on.
Surely - if they have an issue with data quantum - then spell it out. Tell me what the limit is - albeit an uncapped limit. If the issue is to do with overloading exchanges - well surely that's not the customers problem? I also don't quite get this, if I can only get 2Mb on my line, how would paying more for a 4 Mb line change anything, other than me paying more?
If they want to throttle me, then why call it a 2 Mb package? This whole sales pitch is more confusing than the fine print on an insurance policy..... Coincidently, the other ISP gave me an idea of when I would be shaped and throttled, and the reasons for that. Cool, I was told upfront.

Surely, if MWEB can make up rules as they go, then the bunch of people who are so pro MWEB will be at risk of some nebulous change in future, hung on the unquantified AUP? An when this happens, they will again simply say "suck it up"?? Some of these will undoubtedly be in the new 3% ... and then?

So, why would anyone see MWEB as being honourable? Sure, MWEB is a business, but the ethics come into question. The question I ask myself, is ... would I want to do business with people like this? Clearly their attitude of superiority may be appealing to some, but I don't see how what they are doing is ethical or honourable. 3 years of no problems with MWEB, then someone decides to change the business plan, and blames customers??

And I can tell you, as a normal consumer who has certainly tried in vain to understand this with MWEB - they don't care.

Reminds me of another story: Xbox One.

MS did a good one, they thought so, explaining time and time again why it is good for you. They also said suck it, because if you don't like it get an xbox 360. What happened? After enough pressure was applied they had to change it even after they said it could be done, they removed their DRM.

Exactly the same thing with this continuous bull**** mweb is spinning to line their pockets and keep on moving the goal posts. The can give they limits, but they don't want to even when other ISPs have done so. It is unethical however you look at it and those who keep on supporting, is supporting practices like these.

3 years of no problems with MWEB, then someone decides to change the business plan, and blames customers??

And I can tell you, as a normal consumer who has certainly tried in vain to understand this with MWEB - they don't care.

Its crystal clear: The new ceo, because when Rudy left... Free The Web left with him and now it seems not only that but a lot more.

 

[bekdik]

Losing trust is a dangerous thing to do. Once lost it is not easily regained.

 

[biometrics]

Losing trust is a dangerous thing to do. Once lost it is not easily regained.

Yip. They lost me in 1998 until the uncapped launch in 2010. Left them again back then: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/289253-Ex-MWEB-Uncapped-Subscribers-Feedback

 

[bekdik]

@mweb:

And you entirely miss the point. People are unhappy about your not publishing your rules. Not that there are rules

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

Achievement unlocked :twisted:

No - achievement unlocked is to be on Afrihost Business and seeing how data just rocks. So glad the Mweb divorce is done.

 

[StevenC]

Guys, I am working on a new movie script, I shall call it "A few good ISPs"

Here's an excerpt from a thrilling encounter in a court room:

Derek Hershaw: You want answers?
MyBB Forum: We think we're entitled to them.
Derek Hershaw: You want answers?
MyBB Forum: We want the truth!
Derek Hershaw: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has limited data. And that limited data has to be guarded by men with throttling. Who's gonna do it? Openweb? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for unshaped and you curse MWEB. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that uncapped's death, while tragic, probably saved 97% of our network. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves that userbase...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like 3%, network quality, latency...we use these words as the backbone to a ISP spent downloading something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a forum who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up another ISP and go there instead. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
MyBB Forum: Did you order the throttling?
Derek Hershaw: (quietly) I did the job Naspers sent me to do.
MyBB Forum: Did you order the throttling?
Derek Hershaw: You're goddamn right I did!!

 

[Sneeky]

Is it supposed to make you look clever when you post lies?

My issue is with Telkom , not Mweb. Mweb account for me is best of the bunch and that makes me a lier according to you, pure genius you are.

You think I have all those isp accounts for fun? The pure fact is that they are there as a result of frustration with connection speeds in my area, simple. A further fact is that out of all of them,, the mweb account delivers the best service for me.and btw Mweb was not my first choice in this.


Sorry that does not fit in with your rhetoric, merely posting to provide balance, run along now.

 

[Dr Evil]

Guys, I am working on a new movie script, I shall call it "A few good ISPs"

Here's an excerpt from a thrilling encounter in a court room:

Derek Hershaw: You want answers?
MyBB Forum: We think we're entitled to them.
Derek Hershaw: You want answers?
MyBB Forum: We want the truth!
Derek Hershaw: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has limited data. And that limited data has to be guarded by men with throttling. Who's gonna do it? Openweb? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for unshaped and you curse MWEB. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that uncapped's death, while tragic, probably saved 97% of our network. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves that userbase...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like 3%, network quality, latency...we use these words as the backbone to a ISP spent downloading something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a forum who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up another ISP and go there instead. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
MyBB Forum: Did you order the throttling?
Derek Hershaw: (quietly) I did the job Naspers sent me to do.
MyBB Forum: Did you order the throttling?
Derek Hershaw: You're goddamn right I did!!

dude, that's like 3 thumbs up from me, awesome man

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

Guys, I am working on a new movie script, I shall call it "A few good ISPs"

Here's an excerpt from a thrilling encounter in a court room:

Derek Hershaw: You want answers?
MyBB Forum: We think we're entitled to them.
Derek Hershaw: You want answers?
MyBB Forum: We want the truth!
Derek Hershaw: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has limited data. And that limited data has to be guarded by men with throttling. Who's gonna do it? Openweb? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for unshaped and you curse MWEB. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that uncapped's death, while tragic, probably saved 97% of our network. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves that userbase...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like 3%, network quality, latency...we use these words as the backbone to a ISP spent downloading something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a forum who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up another ISP and go there instead. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
MyBB Forum: Did you order the throttling?
Derek Hershaw: (quietly) I did the job Naspers sent me to do.
MyBB Forum: Did you order the throttling?
Derek Hershaw: You're goddamn right I did!!

EXCELLENT!!
Please post this on WWEBs facebook page - Its pretty good and I am sure Hershaw et al would appreciate the honesty ... something they need.

 

[dudewotevr]

Guys, I am working on a new movie script, I shall call it "A few good ISPs"

Here's an excerpt from a thrilling encounter in a court room:

Derek Hershaw: You want answers?
MyBB Forum: We think we're entitled to them.
Derek Hershaw: You want answers?
MyBB Forum: We want the truth!
Derek Hershaw: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has limited data. And that limited data has to be guarded by men with throttling. Who's gonna do it? Openweb? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for unshaped and you curse MWEB. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that uncapped's death, while tragic, probably saved 97% of our network. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves that userbase...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like 3%, network quality, latency...we use these words as the backbone to a ISP spent downloading something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a forum who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up another ISP and go there instead. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
MyBB Forum: Did you order the throttling?
Derek Hershaw: (quietly) I did the job Naspers sent me to do.
MyBB Forum: Did you order the throttling?
Derek Hershaw: You're goddamn right I did!!

Classic.

 

[ponder]

Guys, I am working on a new movie script, I shall call it "A few good ISPs"

@rpm, this deserve a smart phone, tablet and a full MyBB goodie hamper

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Losing trust is a dangerous thing to do. Once lost it is not easily regained.

This.

Also : It takes a [insert time period here (month, week)] to find a customer, but 5 seconds to lose that customer...

 

[Necuno]

This.

Also : It takes a [insert time period here (month, week)] to find a customer, but 5 seconds to lose that customer...

5 for seconds to spread the word...

 

[Necuno]

@rpm, this deserve a smart phone, tablet and a full MyBB goodie hamper

I'll consider this when mybb does a proper expose on this whole mweb debacle and not only as "the lord has spoken" as they did.

 

[Fulcrum29]

It seems that not only is the policy unclear but so is the communication propagated to the consumer. As I understood the 30 day rolling windows would only be ENFORCED starting 1st September 2013, it is already known here in the MWEB Uncapped ADSL Feedback thread, http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...ack-Part-3?p=11005769&viewfull=1#post11005769, that the policy is already being ENFORCED.

It is also now unclear which users received the Mweb Abuse Warning email as per the reply to the quoted post (link):

You changed from the Premium uncapped ADSL package to the Standard uncapped ADSL package from the beginning of August. The reason you got the email was because you were still on the Premium uncapped ADSL package and the usage was taken from a few months ago. The email won't apply to you as you are on the Standard uncapped ADSL package.

So they did the calculation on usage months ago… Clearly again within their unshaped uncapped world in advertising. This is punishing their user base.

Please note: On a standard 4Mb Uncapped MWEB package, your account will be throttled down to 256kbps.

Time to explain the policies in-depth and in detail.

 

[Lord-Flame13]

So as i have said before i emailed all MWeb's email address and A guy called Richard Replied I'm going to start with reposting his reply to the question of what the parameters stated in the abuse email are and then the conversation that followed over the course of the weeks since...
Mweb's Initial Reply:

Good day

We do not believe that it is in keeping with the spirit of our uncapped products to outline a set of rules for all customers to follow, or to specify bandwidth/data limits per day/week/month. The limits have been carefully selected to manage on the small percentage of users abusing the products.

As such we have elected not to publish any specific thresholds. Firstly as we know that making these limits public empowers abusers with methods to circumvent the rules and makes them less effective and secondly because this affects less than 3% of our client base and we don’t think that the other 97% should have to concern themselves with a limit they are unlikely to ever reach.

Kind regards
Richard Vice
Security & Abuse Administrator

My reply to that email:

To Richard Vice

Thank you for the reply Richard. I do have some follow up questions...

Firstly, how if i am using approximately a 3rd of what my line could do am i an abuser? (88Gb Average a month, on a 1mb, maxed could be easily +-230Gb)
Secondly, how are we supposed to limit ourselves to a unknown limit while still making your products worth out while(value for money)?
Thirdly, as i have never received a warning before and clearly are not in the group of users downloading 1.5tb (as in your CEO's press release) why have i received this warning?

His reply 9 days later (after me resending it after day 6):

Good day Bruce

The email you received was to notify you that, based on your usage trends in recent months, it is highly likely that you will affected by the new automated temporary speed limits we are putting in place to limit abuse on our network.

The exact figures, thresholds etc. are not published nor have they been made known to any staff members or the Abuse Team who are not involved in the management or implementation of this process.

Kind regards
Richard Vice
Security & Abuse Administrator

My reply:

So i should pay for a product that i can't use to a 3rd of it's capacity? And "can't" be told to what fraction of it i "can" use?
Also, you state: "The exact figures, thresholds etc. are not published nor have they been made known to any staff members or the Abuse Team who are not involved in the management or implementation of this process." Please give the contact details of someone who *IS* involved in the management or implementation of this process.

His reply today:

Good day

Abuse and Security cannot enter into discussion regarding this process and there is no person within MWEB who can provide you with any further information regarding this process.

Kind regards
Richard Vice
Security & Abuse Administrator

So clearly Mweb isn't in control and they have been ordered to by Naspers, or they once more lying through the skin of their teeth.

 

[HapticSimian]

... lying through the skin of their teeth.

Just

 

[Neo_X]

I don't want to "back up the internet" - I just want what I signed up for.

Can you imagine Mweb's AUP being applied to another product, like say, a fleshlight?

So there you are, late at night, using it, getting into the swing of things, just on the vinegar strokes and WHAM! It goes all loose and dry on you, and a little message pops up: "Thank you for using 'Fleshlight'. We have noticed you've been spanking the monkey rather a lot lately and that this contravenes the Acceptable Usage Policy which you will find detailed on our website. No, not the one that came with your product, that one's old, we changed it. The new one, on our website. Please abstain for a rolling window of 30 days (go get a girlfriend - have you tried a whorehouse?). We will decide when you may pleasure yourself again.

Thank you and have a great day!

The Fleshlight team.

ROFL ROFL ROFL!!!

but yes - exactly the way it is.... sniff

 

[Fulcrum29]

It seems that not only is the policy unclear but so is the communication propagated to the consumer. As I understood the 30 day rolling windows would only be ENFORCED starting 1st September 2013, it is already known here in the MWEB Uncapped ADSL Feedback thread, http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...ack-Part-3?p=11005769&viewfull=1#post11005769, that the policy is already being ENFORCED.

It is also now unclear which users received the Mweb Abuse Warning email as per the reply to the quoted post (link):



So they did the calculation on usage months ago… Clearly again within their unshaped uncapped world in advertising. This is punishing their user base.

Please note: On a standard 4Mb Uncapped MWEB package, your account will be throttled down to 256kbps.

Time to explain the policies in-depth and in detail.

I searched threads and articles related to the Standard MWEB Uncapped ADSL package and this throttling is in policy since the service had been implemented:

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/adsl/69468-uncapped-adsl-telkom-versus-mweb.html

MWEB’s new products will complement its existing Premium Uncapped ADSL product suite.

The main difference between MWEB’s current uncapped service and its new, cheaper offering is that the new accounts will be throttled with high usage.

“We will monitor usage across these products and reserve the right to throttle the connection speeds of the top percentage of subscribers on these products that generate usage above the average,” said MWEB ISP CEO Derek Hershaw.

Hershaw explained that they will maintain a fair service for all their subscribers by implementing throttling on high usage users where applicable (throttled speeds: 2Mbps, 192Kbps; 4Mbps – 256Kbps.”

I apologise since I was not aware about the above quoted policy, with the whole new policy debacle. This will mean that the new policy to be implemented 1st September is only in regard with the Premium Uncapped ADSL package and the Standard Uncapped ADSL package will stay as is? I don't remember this being made clear in the related MyBB article.

But users who downgraded their account still received the warning letter with usage calculated months ago on their Premium Uncapped ADSL account.

Thanks to mister’s post: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...ack-Part-3?p=11007923&viewfull=1#post11007923

*Update: Neotel has provided the exact thresholds it will be using for its fair use policy:

134GB at 1Mbps (throttled to 512kbps thereafter)
268GB at 2Mbps (throttled to 1Mbps thereafter)
671GB at 5Mbps (throttled to 2.5Mbps thereafter)
1,324GB at 10Mbps (throttled to 5Mbps thereafter)

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/moneyweb-technology-news/neotel-uncapped-lte-launched

What is so difficult about that MWEB?

These MWEB policies should be linked to their designated packages so that the consumer can read and comprehend them thoroughly.