Downgrading Packages

[twosocks]

I used to be on a 8GIG package with iBurst, I was just throwing bandwidth away so I decided to phone them and downgrade to a 5GIG package. I have been keeping a eye on my usage report and found that I did not get my free 5GIG on the 15th of this month. Sent iBurst a email and asked why, did not get a reply. Phoned them today and asked why and they said that is due to me downgrading I lost that privilege. I was never told of this when I downgraded, why does it say in my daily report to following “News: Dear Valued Customer, as of the 15th of January we’re pleased to announce an excellent iBurst offer to you our valued customer. With no strings attached, you will receive free top up bandwidth of your base package. This will automatically be allocated on the 15th of every month” Asked to speak to a person higher up and they said they will return my phone call, still waiting!

This is clearly a case for the Consumer Protection Act as of this being unfair practice. Was listening to 702 yesterday morning and the head of the Consumer Projection Act made a comment that they are talking to cell phone operators regarding expiry of airtime or bandwidth as it is actually against the new act!

Company’s that don’t come to the party stand to get a fine of 10 million Rand or 10% of their annual turn over, whichever is the higher one.

 

[ginggs]

Phoned them today and asked why and they said that is due to me downgrading I lost that privilege.

That is correct, the free mid-month top up is not offered on prepaid packages and downward migrated accounts.

This is clearly a case for the Consumer Protection Act as of this being unfair practice.

How so?

 

[isie]

I used to be on a 8GIG package with iBurst, I was just throwing bandwidth away so I decided to phone them and downgrade to a 5GIG package. I have been keeping a eye on my usage report and found that I did not get my free 5GIG on the 15th of this month. Sent iBurst a email and asked why, did not get a reply. Phoned them today and asked why and they said that is due to me downgrading I lost that privilege. I was never told of this when I downgraded, why does it say in my daily report to following “News: Dear Valued Customer, as of the 15th of January we’re pleased to announce an excellent iBurst offer to you our valued customer. With no strings attached, you will receive free top up bandwidth of your base package. This will automatically be allocated on the 15th of every month” Asked to speak to a person higher up and they said they will return my phone call, still waiting!

This is clearly a case for the Consumer Protection Act as of this being unfair practice. Was listening to 702 yesterday morning and the head of the Consumer Projection Act made a comment that they are talking to cell phone operators regarding expiry of airtime or bandwidth as it is actually against the new act!

Company’s that don’t come to the party stand to get a fine of 10 million Rand or 10% of their annual turn over, whichever is the higher one.

unfortunatly iburst is coverd as under the T&c of the mid month top up its not available to top up and downgraded packages, only reason i havent downgraded.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

What if you downgrade to the 1gig package and then upgrade again to the 2gig package?

 

[isie]

What if you downgrade to the 1gig package and then upgrade again to the 2gig package?

or cancel your current motnh to moth contract and take out a new month to month on a 5gig

 

[r00igev@@r]

or cancel your current motnh to moth contract and take out a new month to month on a 5gig

You have to repay connection fees and be revetted.

 

[ginggs]

You have to repay connection fees and be revetted.

Would there be any fees if the OP went back onto the 8GB package?

 

[dbnnet]

Lack of Strategic Thinking at iBurst?

I believe that Its a very shorted sighted policy that iBurst is taking with regards to downgrades .... Instead of trying to find a win-win solution to keep everyone happy, they are basically encouraging them to cancel, and move to the "new player" in this market space, Cell C.

 

[isie]

I believe that Its a very shorted sighted policy that iBurst is taking with regards to downgrades .... Instead of trying to find a win-win solution to keep everyone happy, they are basically encouraging them to cancel, and move to the "new player" in this market space, Cell C.

I think they look at it the other way its an incentive for people to join, and for current users to keep on the same packgage (or go higher) and not downgrade, like it or not compared to the others they are trying to ofer a little more, of course it could be considerd a bulying tactic to keep you at a higher package

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

I think they look at it the other way its an incentive for people to join, and for current users to keep on the same packgage (or go higher) and not downgrade, like it or not compared to the others they are trying to ofer a little more, of course it could be considerd a bulying tactic to keep you at a higher package

Agree, but why penalize the people that need to downgrade, because they might have money problems...?

 

[marlboro]

You have to repay connection fees and be revetted.

So??? What's the big deal with repaying the connection fee and being revetted? I think this is the way to go if anyone wants to downgrade the package and keep the mid-month top up. Anything against that Ronald?

 

[r00igev@@r]

Would there be any fees if the OP went back onto the 8GB package?

Any upgrade will recieve the topup again.

 

[r00igev@@r]

The mid month topup is an incentive to use the network and have more bandwidth. It is not meant for people to downgrade. The purpose is for people to add another modem to their account, share it with granny or another family member and increase the diameter of Internet peneration in South Africa.

 

[AchmatK]

The mid month topup is an incentive to use the network and have more bandwidth. It is not meant for people to downgrade. The purpose is for people to add another modem to their account, share it with granny or another family member and increase the diameter of Internet peneration in South Africa.

This is what I did. I pay the account and my brother gives me half at the end of the month. So my cost has come down and I managed to win the 2 mbps modem

Only issue now is that I have the webphone connected to my wireless router. The webphone is setup with my sip account from another voip company. Will the webphone still work with 3 modems on one account.

When I get the new modem my setup will be:

2 mbps modem at home connected to wireless router
1 mbps modem at my brother
Webphone at home standalone for VOIP with 021 DID number.

ronald can maybe let me know how this will work.

 

[Mercury]

Interesting. I was thinking of downgrading as twosocks did since I now have 4 Mb ADSL and mainly use iBurst as a fallback. it may make sense to rather cancel and switch to another fallback or, if I am feeling nostalgic, cancel and resubscribe...