Hi,
As Internet Solutions is a member of the ISPA, and therefore have to comply to the rules as well as code of conduct in forced by the ISPA, I thought I’d take the time to inform the ISPA of the doings of the Internet Solutions, or more specifically, a division of Internet Solutions, Internet Solutions Gated Services (ISGS).
On Friday, the 13th of June 2008, I had the privilege of moving from the Strand, to Villa Italia in Century City (Western Cape). After visiting the apartment for the first time, and even more after moving in, I was well impressed by the services as well as facilities provided by this up market complex in Century City. CCTV Camera surveillance, 24x7 security guards at the entrances to the complex, and (here’s the giveaway), the security guards at these entrances, phoning you, and informing you of guests before allowing them entry into the complex. Naturally, this spells internal communications network, and up to now, I don’t really have a problem with this.
After moving in and settling down, on Monday the 16th of June 2008 I decide to take a walk to Cannel Walk, and visit my local Telkom Direct shop, as I have a need to:
1) Order a new 4MB ADSL Service
2) Order a new BRI ISDN Service
3) Move my 192KB/Sec Diginet Line from my old premises in the Strand, to my new flat in Century City.
Naturally, completely shocked and surprised, Telkom (and my estate agent, Pam Golding confirmed) informs me that all telecommunication facilities in Vila Italia as well as a few other complexes in Century City are provided and maintained by Internet Solutions Gated Services (ISGS). ISGS, does not allow Telkom access to the premises at all. Needless to say, I am refusing to use the Internet Solutions as my service provider, and neither am I going to pay their over inflated prices for the “service” that they offer (
http://www.isgs.co.za/content.asp?TopLinkID=5&Level2LinkID=55&PageID=23).
After three quick phone calls to the ISGS Customer Support Line, which, according to their web site is available 24x7, not one of my three calls was answered by any staff – never mind actually resolving a problem. This indicates and just adds to the conception that their service is far below what is required, their service is sub standard, and their pricing is massively over inflated.
From my understanding:
1) Whilst Internet Solutions will more than likely have a VANS license, a VANS License does NOT entitle them to provide a ECN Service.
2) Internet Solutions does definitely NOT have a ECNS License, as to my understanding, none of these licenses has been allowed by ICASA.
3) As a consumer, what CHOICE do I now have, in terms of:
a. The type of telecommunication facility (wired) that I require? ADSL, ISDN, and DigiNET Services?
b. What right do they have in terms of the Telecommunications act, to refuse Telkom access to provide services?
c. Considering my Diginet is on contract, who is now going to be responsible for breach of contract, because Telkom cannot relocate the Diginet lines?
Needless to say, I am not at all pleased with this, and I bring this under the ISPA’s attention to see whether anything can be done about this state of affair. I think it is disgusting that myself, and various other people in the same complex (some of which I know personally) now have to sit without telecommunication facilities due to our CHOICE as a consumer, not to use the services from ISGS.
I hope that the ISPA will take this matter in a serious light. Whilst I am all for privatized communication facilities and I can definitely see the need for it (I’m really first in line to when it comes to liberating our Telecoms market), I believe that it should be done through competitive services, and on a free for all access, rather than now simply locking Telkom out, and giving myself as the consumer, no alternative but to use ISGW and pay their highly inflated pricing, for a service that I don’t want.
I will also be approaching ICASA in this regard and questioning the legality of these gated services provided by the Internet Solutions, as they do not have the appropriate licenses in terms of the relevant Acts. As to my understanding, Telkom, as a holder of a ECNS, and a obligation in terms of their license requirements, cannot be refused by a 3rd party to provide myself with telecommunication facilities either.
Regards
Chris Knipe
Silly tossers!
