Using Cybersmart with another ISP...

[StoneCold]

Hi guys,

My adsl will be hopefully installed this week, and I am still in a rut as to whom to choose as my ISP. I definetely want a IS 30GB local only account (news server ), but I also want a SAIX based intl account for browsing/gaming.

Now Cybersmart is the cheapest of the lot with 3GB coming in at R125 as you all know, but their TOC really is weird (although clearly stated). One of the conditions state that you are not allowed to use another ISP while you are with them.

What I want to know is there any way for them to detect whether or not I also have / use a 30GB IS local only account ? According to my knowledge that will not be possible or am I wrong ?

If anyone will be able to clarify this for me, it will be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Highflyer_GP]

Use another ISP if you choose, Cybersmart have no way of determining whether or not you're doing it. In any case there's no law against it, no matter what their T&C says.

 

[Vampir0]

How on earth would they know? I have a Cybersmart account and I can say I have been very happy with the service of connection I'm getting. I don't have another ISP, but cannot think how they would ever know you have another ISP? Odd, odd, odd...

 

[enx]

hmm

well...they can always check your usage patterns and can probably use it against you if you give them crap about something... otherwise if you play nice I'm sure its fine...

 

[Telkomhater]

their TOC really is weird (although clearly stated). One of the conditions state that you are not allowed to use another ISP while you are with them.

What a blerry cheek!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is abit like CHeckers saying that you not allowed to shop at P n' P.

Okay so I found their explanation of the TOC and it says:

Why do you want me to cancel my ADSL subscription with my other ISP?

A large number of support calls are originating from users who are using us as a secondary ISP. They can't remember how to configure their router to put in our ADSL account, or their email does not work when they use our ADSL account or the accelerator product of their primary ISP is causing our account not to work optimally. All these support calls are as a result of some configuration or program used by another ISP. Invariably these problems take substantially longer to fix, with the net effect that it increases our support cost. It is not fair to expect customers that are loyal to our brand to receive the same service as customers who are not. We will degrade your service should we find that you are using another ISP so that we can give better service to our loyal customers.

Seems a valid reason.

 

[Vampir0]

The only reason why they have this rule is to stop people from changing the details one the routers and then blaming them if it doesn't want to connect no more...I know that feeling...I worked in a call centre...

 

[nGAGEd55]

still doesn't seem fair at all, if they don't want to provide support to fix a problem caused by using another ISP, just don't provide that support, simple as that.

 

[general_koffi]

They have no way of knowing unless you tell them.

 

[Vampir0]

Yeah I know! There is no way at all

 

[Syndyre]

Can't say I like their approach much, seems to be rather stupid and arrogant, wouldn't use them myself.

 

[mikef]

What a blerry cheek!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is abit like CHeckers saying that you not allowed to shop at P n' P.

Okay so I found their explanation of the TOC and it says:


Seems a valid reason.

Their explanation is a bit like Checkers saying the reason for not allowing you to shop at P n' P is as you will waste the time of their shop assistants asking where the products are as the shelves are arranged in a different order at P n' P.

 

[Paul_S]

still doesn't seem fair at all, if they don't want to provide support to fix a problem caused by using another ISP, just don't provide that support, simple as that.

The problem is that people are stupid - they'll call and spend 15 minutes on the phone trying to sort out the problem and then you find out that they messed up the login info while using another ISP.
Go work in a call center and you'll understand the problem.

Cybersmart keep their prices down because they work with a skeleton crew.
Instead of having lots of support staff who they have to pay every month they keep the headcount down and pass the savings on to the consumer.
If you want better support then chose another ISP or ask Cybersmart to raise their prices so that they can employ more staff.

Having said that they don't seem to be that worried about people using ISPs other than themselves IF you're not an idiot who messes up your login and blames them and wastes their time with support calls.
I e-mailed them about using local-only IS accounts and they said it was OK because they don't plan to provide local-only accounts unless there is a big demand for it. They're aiming at cheap connectivity for mom and pop.
All I do is that I make VERY sure that if I can't login that it's not my problem. So far it's always been the Telkom ESRs playing up so I've never had to phone them about authentication problems.