... so I did it.
I took the plunge and did what I swore to myself I would never try to do.
I ordered an ADSL line from Telkom! At such a price I thought I would never cave, but
unfortunately I did. The draw of the internet after having been without it for over a year was
just too great.
To my surprise the initial ordering of the line went great. I got through to
someone on the helpdesk in no time. Gave my details to a friendly person on the
other end of the line and so ended the call about 15 minutes later. Granted I wasn't
exactly holding my breath for my credit to be approved, but strangely enough, it was!
About three days later I called in and was told that my line was approved and that
line tests were being done (should take about 3-4 working days). Great!
So I left it for about a week. No word.
I called in and waited for about 10 minutes listening to that wonderful calming "on hold" tune
that Telkom loves so much. Eventually I got through and was told that I would need to phone another
number for ADSL queries. How come I was able to order an ADSL line through this number but not query
about it's status. Hell, they didn't even forward your call for you.
Any how, I called the toll free number supplied and after another 10-15 minutes listening to that
graceful "on hold" tune once again, my call was answered. By this stage that tune had seemed to
awaken some evil inside of me. I was told, yet again, that line tests were being done and that the
process should take between 3-4 working days. I bit my lip and accepted this remembering the initial
help I received when I ordered the line. This was the start of the fun.
So the phone calls continued. For about 2 weeks I phoned daily, questioning the status of the order.
Only to be told yet again, that line tests were still being done. Each time being forced to endure the
awful "on hold" music for about 10-20 minutes for each call. I was given several numbers to call,
which I did, but unfortunately each bared no results. At one stage I was even given the direct line
of the lady who was to approve the installation once the line tests were complete. Typically, it
constantly went through to voicemail. I was however, unable to leave a message seeing as the mail box
was full. So I left it over the weekend, deciding to phone again on Monday.
Which I did. So on the final week, I called and was eventually greeted with the wonderful news that my line
was A-OK for an ADSL install! The install was to be done on the Friday, 20/5/2005, which was that
very same week! I danced around and was supremely happy for the next two days. Seeing as my line was compatible
for ADSL, I went ahead and ordered an ADSL router and an extra hard drive to run my firewall. So everything was set!
To my great surprise I received a call early Wednesday morning, the 18/5/2005. They wanted to install
my line two days early! WHAT?! I was beyond happy now. I told everyone I knew that Telkom had actually
done something before schedule!
I shouldn't have been so hasty, because the call I expected from the Telkom technical guy never arrived.
I phoned late afternoon to see what was happening, but no one could tell me a thing. So I left it, realising
that the early install was obviously just a dream and I should have known better. I did however make
another call the following day, querying the install date and was told once again, it would be done
on the 20th and there was nothing to be worried about. So I left it at that.
The 20th came, the 20th went. During that day, (which I had taken leave from work specifically to let
Telkom into my place to do the install) I called about five different people. I was told by managers
and helpdesk staff alike, that if the installation date on their books said the 20th, it would be done
on the 20th, guaranteed. So at about 2pm, I stopped calling in and waited for the technical guy to either
call or arrive at my premises. He did neither.
Today is Monday morning.
Livid that no one even bothered to call me to say they wouldn't be able to make it, or there was a problem,
I called Telkom once again, just to sit on hold for another 20 minutes.
Eventually I have now been told, that my line does not support ADSL! WHAT?!
Yes, I am apparently about 200m over the 5km border and the copper cabling is not in a good enough condition.
So what exactly where 3 weeks of line tests for?! I was determined to find out. I sat on the phone
for my entire lunch hour today, phoning and holding for different people. Managers, helpdesk, technical staff
you name it. Until I finally got through to someone who could tell me what was going on.
Those initial line tests are no tests at all. They comprise of some over paid, under qualified idiot staring
at a coloured map which either says, "Yes, should support ADSL.", or "No, it doesn't".
THIS TOOK 3 WEEKS?!? I could have done that in 5 seconds. What was the online number test for?!
So now I sit with R1000 worth of hardware and no ADSL line. And who is to blame in all of this?
Why me of course. No apologies from Telkom. No compensation for my loss. Just, "It's only technically
approved on the day of installation". This after I was told that "Line tests were done" and my line
"WILL support ADSL".
They lied. They did no line tests. They made me wait for nothing. They made me
waste my money which I have little to spare, and told me to "deal with it". Not once did I receive
a phone call, I initiated every single call bar one.
That is not service. That is being screwed by a company who couldn't care less about helping
you and only about stealing your cash. That’s all they are there for, a quick buck. They overcharge and
treat us like children and what can we do about it. Nothing. Government owns the company. 30 odd percent
of it apparently. They will do nothing about the problems, because those problems supply them with
vast amounts no effort cash.
I will NOT deal with Telkom again. I'll get I-Burst or Sentech, even if the line is down 80-90% of the
time, as long as I never have to deal with those arrogant pricks ever again!
I took the plunge and did what I swore to myself I would never try to do.
I ordered an ADSL line from Telkom! At such a price I thought I would never cave, but
unfortunately I did. The draw of the internet after having been without it for over a year was
just too great.
To my surprise the initial ordering of the line went great. I got through to
someone on the helpdesk in no time. Gave my details to a friendly person on the
other end of the line and so ended the call about 15 minutes later. Granted I wasn't
exactly holding my breath for my credit to be approved, but strangely enough, it was!
About three days later I called in and was told that my line was approved and that
line tests were being done (should take about 3-4 working days). Great!
So I left it for about a week. No word.
I called in and waited for about 10 minutes listening to that wonderful calming "on hold" tune
that Telkom loves so much. Eventually I got through and was told that I would need to phone another
number for ADSL queries. How come I was able to order an ADSL line through this number but not query
about it's status. Hell, they didn't even forward your call for you.
Any how, I called the toll free number supplied and after another 10-15 minutes listening to that
graceful "on hold" tune once again, my call was answered. By this stage that tune had seemed to
awaken some evil inside of me. I was told, yet again, that line tests were being done and that the
process should take between 3-4 working days. I bit my lip and accepted this remembering the initial
help I received when I ordered the line. This was the start of the fun.
So the phone calls continued. For about 2 weeks I phoned daily, questioning the status of the order.
Only to be told yet again, that line tests were still being done. Each time being forced to endure the
awful "on hold" music for about 10-20 minutes for each call. I was given several numbers to call,
which I did, but unfortunately each bared no results. At one stage I was even given the direct line
of the lady who was to approve the installation once the line tests were complete. Typically, it
constantly went through to voicemail. I was however, unable to leave a message seeing as the mail box
was full. So I left it over the weekend, deciding to phone again on Monday.
Which I did. So on the final week, I called and was eventually greeted with the wonderful news that my line
was A-OK for an ADSL install! The install was to be done on the Friday, 20/5/2005, which was that
very same week! I danced around and was supremely happy for the next two days. Seeing as my line was compatible
for ADSL, I went ahead and ordered an ADSL router and an extra hard drive to run my firewall. So everything was set!
To my great surprise I received a call early Wednesday morning, the 18/5/2005. They wanted to install
my line two days early! WHAT?! I was beyond happy now. I told everyone I knew that Telkom had actually
done something before schedule!
I shouldn't have been so hasty, because the call I expected from the Telkom technical guy never arrived.
I phoned late afternoon to see what was happening, but no one could tell me a thing. So I left it, realising
that the early install was obviously just a dream and I should have known better. I did however make
another call the following day, querying the install date and was told once again, it would be done
on the 20th and there was nothing to be worried about. So I left it at that.
The 20th came, the 20th went. During that day, (which I had taken leave from work specifically to let
Telkom into my place to do the install) I called about five different people. I was told by managers
and helpdesk staff alike, that if the installation date on their books said the 20th, it would be done
on the 20th, guaranteed. So at about 2pm, I stopped calling in and waited for the technical guy to either
call or arrive at my premises. He did neither.
Today is Monday morning.
Livid that no one even bothered to call me to say they wouldn't be able to make it, or there was a problem,
I called Telkom once again, just to sit on hold for another 20 minutes.
Eventually I have now been told, that my line does not support ADSL! WHAT?!
Yes, I am apparently about 200m over the 5km border and the copper cabling is not in a good enough condition.
So what exactly where 3 weeks of line tests for?! I was determined to find out. I sat on the phone
for my entire lunch hour today, phoning and holding for different people. Managers, helpdesk, technical staff
you name it. Until I finally got through to someone who could tell me what was going on.
Those initial line tests are no tests at all. They comprise of some over paid, under qualified idiot staring
at a coloured map which either says, "Yes, should support ADSL.", or "No, it doesn't".
THIS TOOK 3 WEEKS?!? I could have done that in 5 seconds. What was the online number test for?!
So now I sit with R1000 worth of hardware and no ADSL line. And who is to blame in all of this?
Why me of course. No apologies from Telkom. No compensation for my loss. Just, "It's only technically
approved on the day of installation". This after I was told that "Line tests were done" and my line
"WILL support ADSL".
They lied. They did no line tests. They made me wait for nothing. They made me
waste my money which I have little to spare, and told me to "deal with it". Not once did I receive
a phone call, I initiated every single call bar one.
That is not service. That is being screwed by a company who couldn't care less about helping
you and only about stealing your cash. That’s all they are there for, a quick buck. They overcharge and
treat us like children and what can we do about it. Nothing. Government owns the company. 30 odd percent
of it apparently. They will do nothing about the problems, because those problems supply them with
vast amounts no effort cash.
I will NOT deal with Telkom again. I'll get I-Burst or Sentech, even if the line is down 80-90% of the
time, as long as I never have to deal with those arrogant pricks ever again!
Before I get flamed let me be clear that I loved adsl when I had it, great pings, solid connection, local dchub, but with the new local cap it can get bent! iBurst is weighing in at a hefty 60-90 gigs throughput per month and pings of <100 on counter strike source. BUT BIG NB, make sure you signal is perfect or don't touch it!!! 
