As mentioned in the previous post I’ve had some problems with my ISP. The way internet works here in Australia (FYI to all you who are not familiar with Aussie internet) is that most of the time the connection is not very fast and you also have a download quota — which means that if you’re on the net too much you either get charged more, or they cut your speed right down. It’s not like back home in Sweden where you just pay for the connection and leech away.

Anyway, the deal we got was not for the fastest connection, but it had unlimited downloads. It was also supposed to be the best value for money as it was an exclusive deal to the building where we live, so we decided to go for it. Then the problems start…

First I notice that the speed is way lower than advertised (not too fast to begin with) and I examine the modem. Turns out they’ve provided me with one that is not even capable of delivering the speed we pay for. Not an excellent start. After a few lame excuses they replace it. Next thing that happens is that they double charge the account. I tell them about it and they give me a credit for the next month. Fair enough, mistakes happen. A few months later, they contact me to let me know the I will get more credit. Because the double charging had continued for 3 months!

During all the time I was with this ISP there was always a speed problem, it was good for a few days, then it went down. I contacted tech support about it a few times and the speed magically increased right after, only to slow down a few days later. There must have been some problem with their hardware or software, or maybe they just did it on purpose, hoping that people are too lazy to complain.

Next thing that happens is that the connection just starts cutting out intermittently. Of course the tech guys refuse to admit that it’s a problem on their part and blames it on my router. Mind you that I have a high end router that cost a fair bit of money, and the modem provided is some unkown $20 piece of plastic. I discussed the issue with a friend of mine, who happens to be a network expert at a university, and he told me that the problems I experienced are in no way router related. After some more contact with the ISP, they finally tell me that they will come over and have a look at it and we make an appointment for them to come a coule of days later. But surprise, surprise! The service tech (who also just happens to be the director of the company) never showed up! Giving them the benefit of the doubt I wait until next week. In case there was a misunderstanding of the date, but nope. No service tech that week either.

At this point I decide to cancel the service and the notice I get from the tech support/director that “we never made an appointment”, when in fact I have the e-mail to prove it as they did confirm the appointment, but apparently just decided that it wasn’t their problem after all. Great service for $79 / month. Fucking waste of money I say.

Now I’m using my iPhone as a modem. Got an extended data plan via Optus and it has so far worked better than the so called “broadband” I had before.

So a word of warning. If you ever come across Evolve Integration or want to sign up for a contract with Evolve iNet. Don’t do it. Stay away.