[ILUG] Re: Broadband providers

[Justin Mason]

Aine Douglas writes:
> On 8/14/07, Justin Mason <jm at jmason.org> wrote:
> > Timothy Murphy writes:
> > > On Mon 13 Aug 2007, Lisa Muir wrote:
> > > > You obviously don't have to ring them as much as I do then. Lucky you.
> > > > I find the reality quite different, and I would strongly urge everyone
> > > > to get their broadband from a different provider from their line
> > > > landlord, and for extra insurance your voice carrier.
> > >
> > > Your experience is sad, but your advice is very foolish, IMHO.
> > > Most of the very serious problems with broadband
> > > seem to arise from communication - or rather, lack of communication -
> > > between ISP and landline owner, if these are different.
> > >
> > > If the probability of communicating rationally with one telecom is epsilon,
> > > the probability of a rational conversation involving two telecoms
> > > is epsilon^2.
> >
> > Spot on. A cursory browse through the boards.ie broadband forum will
> > demonstrate that Tim is indeed correct.  It's full of stories of people
> > getting caught between their ISP and the Eircom technicians who always
> > seem to be required to take action, due to the half-assed attempt at
> > leased-line unbundling that has taken place in this country.  "Bitstream"
> > LLU means that Eircom still own and operate the physical equipment, while
> > the ISPs the customer deals with leases use of them.
> >
> > On top of this -- LLU will be moot soon, since Eircom is in the process of
> > doing another end-run around the regulator by making the exchange
> > obsolete:
> > http://www.eire.com/2007/07/17/comreg-has-to-make-the-right-choice-for-the-future-of-broadband/
> >
> 
> Guess it depends on yoru choice of broadband supplier then, dealing
> primarily with Magnet Business and EIrcom, I know i can get problems
> resolved quicker through magnet business than direct with Eircom.
> 
> The great thing about splitting the supplier chain is that Eircom can
> NEVER disconnect the telephone line so long as there is broadband on
> it from another provider. Don't pay the line rental, they can cease
> your line rental account, but cannot touch the line.

Ah -- Magnet *Business*?  that would be a different kettle of fish. If
you're talking about business-oriented products, and are willing to pay
those prices, you can indeed get a product that doesn't involve Eircom.

Consumer-level broadband, however, you're going to have to deal with
Eircom at some level.

> Its all about how much value you put on your uptime I guess.

or how much money you're willing to pay, I guess.

--j.