MWEB FON router annoyance!

[Dubes]

Just venting so ignore if you must.

My FON router was delivered to me via courier on the 30th January 2014. I eagerly opened the package to find no extender included. I found a note inside saying:



I put the package aside and waited. I never set the router up as I have a perfectly functional router already and it was the range extender that interested me. I was wanting to set up both together. I also saw little benefit in the whole FON idea if the range of my router was no further than the walls of my house.

I waited a little longer....

I then communicated via Twitter and on here with MWEBGuy to inform them that I still had not received my extender. I was told it would still be coming.

I waited a little longer....

I then received a phone call from MWEB asking me why my router was still not connected. I told them I saw no value in just the router and was waiting for the extender. I was told it would be coming.

I waited a little longer....

I started reading on here about others getting their extenders with new orders and wondered why I had not got mine, having got the router in January.

I waited a little longer....

Today was the straw that broke the camel's back. I got yet another call asking me about the router. I explained my story again and was told "you do know you are in contravention of your agreement by not having it on". I pointed out I was fully aware and then had a bitch session as I was not keen on the threatening tone taken.

So yeah, there we have it. Vent over!

I still find myself waiting for my extender although I have now reached the point where I am not sure I really want it. I have been switching between MWEB and the WebAfrica special on my router and would like to be able to do so going forward. Two questions therefore. Can you still use another ISPs details on the FON router to connect without hassle (ie log in via the browser and change easily)? And if you do so do you then get threatening calls from MWEB after a few days advising you about "contravening your agreement"?

If I cannot easily change between ISPs on the FON router then could MWEBGuy please explain the process to return it. Call centre agent 1 above said I can just return it to my nearest MWEB store or they would send a courier, at no charge to me, to fetch it.

 

[Mr Feesh]

sorry to hijack, But ALSO just installed my fon router. Can't access sickbeard or sabnzbd on other computers using the browser. Both are on the same network. I have double checked the URL.... Any ideas?

 

[cavedog]

I am in the same boat. Took the 5GB account that included the router and wifi extender. I though it would be a very good setup. So I got my router end of Febuary and still have not received my extender. I got a SMS on Monday I need to connect with my router before Today 09/04 so I tried setting it up, but its not working correctly.

I don't know if the thing is broken or what but it connects to the account and I see the ip in the router but no traffic on the lan ports or wifi. I don't even see a fon wifi hotshpot not even sure if I should.

Anyways got a call asking me why I did not connect my router and I must or they will take the router back even though I am still paying my account. They were hearing nothing when I asked them where is my wifi extender then. An promtly changed the subject to I am in contravention of your agreement.... blah blah blah.

I feel like throwing the thing in the pool and saying Mweb must come and collect it. I just packaged it away cause I can't find a way to get it working and I kinda know my way around a router.

 

[ItherNiT]

Well this is strange, I installed original firmware on mweb router, and they haven't called me yet... They might take it back when they find out xD

 

[Venomous]

!Run! For the Hills!


Why do supposed tech savy people fall for this?

 

[Dubes]

!Run! For the Hills!


Why do supposed tech savy people fall for this?

Where has anyone fallen for anything?

 

[Venomous]

Where has anyone fallen for anything?

Do you understand the Ts and Cs, and the implications for you, should you invest in one of these, in their current format?

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Do you understand the Ts and Cs, and the implications for you, should you invest in one of these, in their current format?

Wonder when will Mweb start to tighten up on their T and C's... it won't be pretty...

 

[Venomous]

Wonder when will Mweb start to tighten up on their T and C's... it won't be pretty...

They already have, as stated before some of their clients are being called, and told to use it or else, while having the Ts and Cs shoved up their noses.

 

[element1]

Well this is strange, I installed original firmware on mweb router, and they haven't called me yet... They might take it back when they find out xD

Do make sure that the process for doing so doesn't get out in the wild!

 

[Gtx Gaming]

they also asked me to connect it blah blah.

they will probably not collect it .

Router working nicely for me , just waiting for my area to be ready for vdsl!

had some issues at start that my adsl accounts did not want to connect.

 

[Dubes]

Do you understand the Ts and Cs, and the implications for you, should you invest in one of these, in their current format?

Ignorance is never a defence but my router was ordered telephonically and was delivered by courier. I signed for delivery but was not issued with T&Cs. So no, I'm not sure many people with one are fully aware of the T&Cs.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Ignorance is never a defence but my router was ordered telephonically and was delivered by courier. I signed for delivery but was not issued with T&Cs. So no, I'm not sure many people with one are fully aware of the T&Cs.

Usually you also "sign" for the T&C's upon receiving the goods. T&C clause may be hidden on the delivery sheet.

 

[Necuno]

Ignorance is never a defence but my router was ordered telephonically and was delivered by courier. I signed for delivery but was not issued with T&Cs. So no, I'm not sure many people with one are fully aware of the T&Cs.

Which department in mweb do you work

 

[Venomous]

Ignorance is never a defence but my router was ordered telephonically and was delivered by courier. I signed for delivery but was not issued with T&Cs. So no, I'm not sure many people with one are fully aware of the T&Cs.

Which is sad and ironic. Many tech savy people (some myBBers even) have signed for these things.

Parts of the Ts and Cs as I understand them:
A portion of your bandwidth is allocated to a free wifi service.
you have no control over this, as it is preset and -selected.
You may not change that to qualify for the priv of the R199 price tag.
Imagine a head doctor gets one and someone hacks their system via this FON thing.... Who will be in schyte and probably lose their med license, at the leaat.
What will mweb say? Perhaps "sorry, your system security is your concern, not ours"? Yet their Ts and Cs created the cave.

Bandwidth:
Is mweb not the ISP with strict DL policies?
Soooo if you have one of these, and I park my car outside your place. Then I start DLing the internet. Who's "threshhold will be reached? Who will not have internet for the rest of the month? After all, you did agree to share your net with the world...

Router settings
There are some that have tried to change various settings. Some have suceeded with what they wanted changed, others have failed. Some of the blocked settings are settings we can change on any other router.

There are more things wrong with this, but such is only my opinion. Each of you need to make your own choice.

 

[Dubes]

Bandwidth:
Is mweb not the ISP with strict DL policies?
Soooo if you have one of these, and I park my car outside your place. Then I start DLing the internet. Who's "threshhold will be reached? Who will not have internet for the rest of the month? After all, you did agree to share your net with the world...

Just on this point alone I think you are mistaken. The FON bandwidth is supposedly totally separate from, and over and above, your data usage and limits. While I appreciate input on possible shortcomings of the offering I think we need to try and stay factual and not speculate.

 

[Venomous]

Just on this point alone I think you are mistaken. The FON bandwidth is supposedly totally separate from, and over and above, your data usage and limits. While I appreciate input on possible shortcomings of the offering I think we need to try and stay factual and not speculate.

I seem to recall that people are not allowed to change DNS settings. Or I recall there being such threads here.

To me that should be a problem in any home with young children.
Search the term fairy tales and see what I mean. Even innocent searches can result in some scary results. and DNS settings is still the best protection method.

But on a further note: You say I am wrong...
If you have a 2meg line, it means the line cannot perform faster than 2 megs but probably a little less, realistically.
Where and how will the FON part get its bandwidth/data that it shares with whomever else?
Two MEG remains 2 MEG, and cannot become 3 or 4 MEG.

And the security risks alone is bad, yet you ignore that. joe soap has enough issues with people stealing their banking details in other means, never mind potentially handing it out willingly.

 

[MWEBHelp]

Just venting so ignore if you must.

My FON router was delivered to me via courier on the 30th January 2014. I eagerly opened the package to find no extender included. I found a note inside saying:

View attachment 110780

I put the package aside and waited. I never set the router up as I have a perfectly functional router already and it was the range extender that interested me. I was wanting to set up both together. I also saw little benefit in the whole FON idea if the range of my router was no further than the walls of my house.

I waited a little longer....

I then communicated via Twitter and on here with MWEBGuy to inform them that I still had not received my extender. I was told it would still be coming.

I waited a little longer....

I then received a phone call from MWEB asking me why my router was still not connected. I told them I saw no value in just the router and was waiting for the extender. I was told it would be coming.

I waited a little longer....

I started reading on here about others getting their extenders with new orders and wondered why I had not got mine, having got the router in January.

I waited a little longer....

Today was the straw that broke the camel's back. I got yet another call asking me about the router. I explained my story again and was told "you do know you are in contravention of your agreement by not having it on". I pointed out I was fully aware and then had a bitch session as I was not keen on the threatening tone taken.

So yeah, there we have it. Vent over!

I still find myself waiting for my extender although I have now reached the point where I am not sure I really want it. I have been switching between MWEB and the WebAfrica special on my router and would like to be able to do so going forward. Two questions therefore. Can you still use another ISPs details on the FON router to connect without hassle (ie log in via the browser and change easily)? And if you do so do you then get threatening calls from MWEB after a few days advising you about "contravening your agreement"?

If I cannot easily change between ISPs on the FON router then could MWEBGuy please explain the process to return it. Call centre agent 1 above said I can just return it to my nearest MWEB store or they would send a courier, at no charge to me, to fetch it.

Good Day Dudes,

I have tried making contact with you via telephone and could not reach you.

We have emailed you regarding your query and provided you some feedback as well.

We have tested with alternate ISP details in the router and have not picked up any real difference when connecting.

The downside, the FON signal will not be transmitted and if not transmitted for long enough. Our systems will identify this on our side.

 

[Fibe Ghost]

Which is sad and ironic. Many tech savy people (some myBBers even) have signed for these things.

Parts of the Ts and Cs as I understand them:
A portion of your bandwidth is allocated to a free wifi service.
you have no control over this, as it is preset and -selected.
You may not change that to qualify for the priv of the R199 price tag.
Imagine a head doctor gets one and someone hacks their system via this FON thing.... Who will be in schyte and probably lose their med license, at the leaat.
What will mweb say? Perhaps "sorry, your system security is your concern, not ours"? Yet their Ts and Cs created the cave.

Bandwidth:
Is mweb not the ISP with strict DL policies?
Soooo if you have one of these, and I park my car outside your place. Then I start DLing the internet. Who's "threshhold will be reached? Who will not have internet for the rest of the month? After all, you did agree to share your net with the world...

Router settings
There are some that have tried to change various settings. Some have suceeded with what they wanted changed, others have failed. Some of the blocked settings are settings we can change on any other router.

There are more things wrong with this, but such is only my opinion. Each of you need to make your own choice.

Firstly, yes A portion of your bandwidth is allocated to free wifi, but only to others with with a FON username and password. And any data over the FON is given lowest possible priority, meaning it gets throttled absurdly when you start using the main account. Yes it does have a small impact on your speeds but its in the area of 10kbps, thus negligible. Secondly, if you read the T's and C's again you will notice the data used over the FON does not count towards your data usage on a capped account, or against the data used on a uncapped account. Because of this i have set a laptop up at home connected to my FON that downloads my torrents 24/7 and for the past couple of months my ADSL has not been throttled once.

And secondly regarding your security concerns, The FON is a completely separate network from your main network, and as such it has no access to any of the devices on your personal network. trust me i've tried.

 

[Grouter]

Because of this i have set a laptop up at home connected to my FON that downloads my torrents 24/7 and for the past couple of months my ADSL has not been throttled once.

Well there goes that loophole - I can't see that lasting much longer now.