I signed up with DST when I moved in February 2007 as I'd found some decent reviews which had been complimentary about service levels and the price at the time was competitive. I'm not sure what happened but I think they must have sacked all the staff who cared about customer service.

When the 9 houses in my road lost their broadband last winter everyone else in the road was reconnected in a day. I remained without connection for weeks. That was bad enough but getting anyone at DST to care about the problem was close to impossible I never had a proactive call and rarely had a prompt call back. Every time I chased I was fobbed off.

I determined to cancel but was in the process of trying to sell my house at the time and I didn't want to get caught in a minimum contract period with a new supplier.

Once I had a date for leaving the house I gave notice of cancellation. It was within a month of my call to them in mid-July so I advised them that they should charge me for the full month from the date of the call.

I had expected to pay at worst to the end of August but I subsequently received a bill for line rental and call/broadband package for the September service period and also a £19.50 "no notice" invoice despite notice having been given.

I had cancelled my direct debit back when I had had no service last winter. I have lost count of the number of letters demanding payment, email replies and telephone conversations explaining the situation that have passed between us but all to no avail. At least now they have moved on from threatening disconnection (communication you see is not the strong suit of this communications company) and the latest demand merely threatens a county court summons.

I can only recommend that anyone and everyone avoids this company.