Crystal Web ADSL performance feedback thread Part 3...

[AfricanTech]

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered it. If there was another ISP that provided the same level of service as Crystal Web does when their service actually works, then I'd move over in a heart beat. However every other ISP I've tried have been a let down, even when they're supposedly working optimally.

So I have to deal with the occasional super annoying frustrations with Crystal Web to get a decently working internet connection the rest of the time.

Pretty much my experience too.

Seems that we are forced to have a 2ndary ISP (I use Vox as a backup).

I've also always kept my line itself with Telkom to make moving between accounts easier - unfortunately the idea that your ISP can look after your line (copper) better than Telkom can just doesn't seem to be a reality.

 

[Sinbad]

Pretty much my experience too.

Seems that we are forced to have a 2ndary ISP (I use Vox as a backup).

I've also always kept my line itself with Telkom to make moving between accounts easier - unfortunately the idea that your ISP can look after your line (copper) better than Telkom can just doesn't seem to be a reality.

So good luck with that.
Telkom is now an ISP. They won't manage lines for other ISPs any more.
So the ISP now HAS to manage the line with a wholesale provider - openserve.

 

[Ho3n3r]

So good luck with that.
Telkom is now an ISP. They won't manage lines for other ISPs any more.
So the ISP now HAS to manage the line with a wholesale provider - openserve.

Yes, yet when we need support for our line that is managed by our ISPs, we still need to deal with Telkom. I experienced this first-hand in October.

It is claimed that Telkom are supposed to be a separate entity from OpenServe now, but in reality they're not.

 

[zamicro]

If I was experiencing your level of frustration I'd have moved long ago.

Internet is far too important to me and family to live with such problems for more than 3 consecutive days given that moving is as easy as signing up with a different ISP.

Since when is moving your line so easy?

 

[new_in_za2]

Yes, yet when we need support for our line that is managed by our ISPs, we still need to deal with Telkom. I experienced this first-hand in October.

It is claimed that Telkom are supposed to be a separate entity from OpenServe now, but in reality they're not.

Exactly. The split between Telkom and Telkom Wholesale (aka Openserve) seems to be in name only, at best. However, most of the time, "Openserve" problems will be fixed by people claiming to be Telkom, and afterwards you'll get communications from Telkom, just like the SMS I got today. It didn't say Openserve. It said Telkom. So they can't even get the name part of this pretend split right.

 

[AfricanTech]

Since when is moving your line so easy?

- It's not, which is why I've always kept my line with Telkom and not handed it over to the ISP to manage for me.

 

[Adeptus Mechanicus]

It hasn't been a primary method of communication for several months now. Even "official" was taken out of the thread title.

I'm acutely aware of this and therein lies the problem. There is no replacement platform or pro-active communication. Their online support facility does not take up the slack.

 

[AfricanTech]

Exactly. The split between Telkom and Telkom Wholesale (aka Openserve) seems to be in name only, at best. However, most of the time, "Openserve" problems will be fixed by people claiming to be Telkom, and afterwards you'll get communications from Telkom, just like the SMS I got today. It didn't say Openserve. It said Telkom. So they can't even get the name part of this pretend split right

I think they use the same underlying systems - I've experienced the same - Openserve attends to something, SMS comes from Telkom

 

[Ho3n3r]

Exactly. The split between Telkom and Telkom Wholesale (aka Openserve) seems to be in name only, at best. However, most of the time, "Openserve" problems will be fixed by people claiming to be Telkom, and afterwards you'll get communications from Telkom, just like the SMS I got today. It didn't say Openserve. It said Telkom. So they can't even get the name part of this pretend split right.

Exactly.

And where do you log line faults? Telkom.

And when they phone you to come check your line, from where do they claim to be? Telkom.

The only thing resembling OpenServe in the whole process, are the stickers on their bakkies.

 

[AfricanTech]

So good luck with that.
Telkom is now an ISP. They won't manage lines for other ISPs any more.
So the ISP now HAS to manage the line with a wholesale provider - openserve.

"openserve" = Telkom

 

[AfricanTech]

Exactly.

And where do you log line faults? Telkom.

And when they phone you to come check your line, from where do they claim to be? Telkom.

The only thing resembling OpenServe in the whole process, are the stickers on their bakkies.

^ This

 

[MickeyD]

And where do you log line faults? Telkom.

You dial 10210 (a call centre). Once you make your selection it diverts it to the correct division, i.e. Openserve.

And when they phone you to come check your line, from where do they claim to be? Telkom.

Because that person is an idiot and does not know who they work for.

The only thing resembling OpenServe in the whole process, are the stickers on their bakkies.

And not all bakkies have been re-branded yet... which is a problem!

 

[Ho3n3r]

You dial 10111 (a call centre). Once you make your selection it diverts it to the correct division, i.e. Openserve.


Because that person is an idiot and does not know who they work for.


And not all bakkies have been re-branded yet... which is a problem!

Was referring to this: https://secureapp.telkom.co.za/assurance/public/logafault

And go here. Any customer service-related query option redirects you to a Telkom page: http://openserve.co.za/open/customer-centre/
And in either case, afterwards you deal with Telkom people(despite the lies their bakkies are telling you).

All references are sent to you by Telkom as well.

It's a different entity only in name.

And regarding the bakkies - seems like they're the only things which HAVE been rebranded, which was kinda my point.

 

[savage]

So good luck with that.
Telkom is now an ISP. They won't manage lines for other ISPs any more.
So the ISP now HAS to manage the line with a wholesale provider - openserve.

And the MILLIONS of telephone lines that is not ADSL enabled? Who manages that?

Sorry, but if Telkom moves my line to my ISP, there will be HELL.

 

[MickeyD]

- It's not, which is why I've always kept my line with Telkom and not handed it over to the ISP to manage for me.

So Telkom ISP now has your line... which is exactly the same as any other ISP.

 

[Pho3nix]

You dial 10111 (a call centre). Once you make your selection it diverts it to the correct division, i.e. Openserve.

10111 ?

 

[MickeyD]

And the MILLIONS of telephone lines that is not ADSL enabled? Who manages that?

Sorry, but if Telkom moves my line to my ISP, there will be HELL.

Telkom Consumer division, of which Telkom ISP is one section.

 

[MickeyD]

10111 ?

Oops... am busy reporting a theft case so it stuck!!

10210

 

[AfricanTech]

And the MILLIONS of telephone lines that is not ADSL enabled? Who manages that?

Sorry, but if Telkom moves my line to my ISP, there will be HELL.

Yeah, I'm also not sure how they can move your line if:

a. You have a landline number with them, and
b. You subscribe to more than one ISP

 

[Ho3n3r]

Oops... am busy reporting a theft case so it stuck!!

10210

/gets passport & flight tickets ready...