Posted: 23rd Nov, 2006 By: MarkJ
NetServices (NS) has taken the decision to provide all Ex-
V21 (Biscit) customers (who have not signed up with EzeeDSL) with free Internet access. The cost will be covered by NS and a bulk cease on all Biscit CSP end users is being put through on the Nov 24th:
NetServices is providing this statement as an update to recent announcements it has made regarding the contractual dispute between itself and Biscit CSP (trading as V Two One) which resulted in the termination of broadband services provided to Biscit CSP.
NetServices confirms earlier statements that it will cease broadband services on the telephone lines of all Biscit CSP customers who have not taken up the alternative provided by EZEE DSL on Friday 24th November 2006.
NetServices believes the steps it took to make available an alternative supplier was a better option than simply immediately terminating all lines - as it could have done. We would again re-iterate that given the numbers of customers affected it was not possible to generate MAC codes on such a large scale, leaving aside its stated policy on the subject.
NetServices has dealt with an unprecedented level of calls and emails over the last week from Biscit CSP customers, due in a large part to Biscit CSP's lack of responsiveness. This has impacted on the day to day running of our business and involved significant resource and cost on our part. NetServices has taken the decision to provide all Biscit CSP customers (who have not signed up with EZEE DSL) with free internet access. This cost of the service will be covered by NetServices. A bulk cease on all Biscit CSP end users is being put through on the Nov 24th. *To re-iterate from today until these ceases take effect all Biscit CSP customers will have free broadband.
As well as allowing our business to get back to normal this action will ease the disruption to the end users.
Further information is available on the FAQs on NetServices website and
http://www.ofcom.org.uk .
FAQWhat's happened to the EZEE DSL sign up page when I connect to the internet?NetServices has today agreed with EZEE DSL that the sign-up page will be withdrawn- this has been done on Wednesday 22 November. NetServices will be ceasing your line on 24th November if you have taken the option not to sign up with EZEE DSL. Between Wednesday 22 November and the time at which BT action your ceases you will be able to use the internet free of charge from NetServices.
Why have NetServices taken this decision?NetServices have dealt with an unprecedented level of phone calls, emails and other correspondence over the last week as a result of our decision to terminate our contract with Biscit CSP. The level of enquiries has undoubtedly been increased by Biscit CSP's statements on what actions customers should take. Throughout this we have sought to answer the phone and provide information in a considered and professional manner. In an organisation of our size and type (i.e. a wholesale provider) we are simply not geared up to deal with the 100's of calls we have been receiving each hour, and this has made it difficult for our valued corporate and other wholesale customers to get through to us. In the interests of the remainder of our customer base, which includes over 40,000 end users with other resellers, we have decided to make available this "free" of charge service.
Is this service "free"?The costs of provision of this service will be borne by NetServices. There will be no charge made by NetServices to either Biscit CSP (as our contract with them is now terminated) or to any of their customers.
Can NetServices provide end user support?If you have signed up with EZEE DSL then you should refer all support calls to them. For all other customers we are providing the "free service" on a best endeavours basis - we are unable to provide any end user support on your service.
Finally a bit of good news for those that have found themselves stuck in the mud over the past couple of weeks; unfortunately much of the damage has already been done.
Meanwhile Ofcom stated that the regulator had not begun an investigation into the fiasco, but might if there was evidence of consumer harm. So the hundreds of complaints they've received aren't enough evidence of that? Hopeless.