It's a UK specific problem... Basically it's half admin half technology limitation... In some countries it's done in 20 mins.... Offcom are on the case.
It's akin to a similar situation if you ever need BT to "turn on" your phone line. Takes 15-20 mins, which includes the button pushers admin time and time for the number to circulate to appropriate places. Which network you having a problem with?
I'm assuming you're talking about broadband too in which case you're wrong, someone has to go to your local exchange and physically connect your line which is the reason for the delay. If not then I apologise. I think there's a few things mobile companies do which Ofcom should sort out. Eg why is everything a two year contract when the phone isn't even guaranteed for that long?
The phone is guaranteed for two years under European legislation. Some operators will try it on but they have to cover for two years now... Until we decide to leave the European Union anyway.
Interesting, so do they still try and upsell extra insurance for it too cos that must be pointless now?
It is not only pointless, it is also basically dishonest. As previously mentioned, under EEC legislation your mobile phone is guaranteed for 2 years, therefore the "upselling" of extra insurance which purports to cover the second year is dishonest. Bet you're all surprised that the mobile 'phone/insurance industry are trying to cheat you.
No, not broadband, although the principle is roughly the same. Yes someone has to go to the exchange and physically do stuff, but how the hell they can charge 140 quid as a flat rate is beyond me. When I moved into my current house, it was brand new. The phone line was in place, put in by BT prior to me buying the house and moving it, and literally needed someone to turn it on. Took 2 weeks and cost me 140 quid. I had to accept them as a line provider for 12 months then I swapped to Sky. Sky might not be saints, but they are in no way as bad as BT at costs, service or reliability. Frigging hate BT I do. Bastards. I didn't know a phone is essentially insured against mechanical failure for the 2 year contract though, is that genuine? Drop it, and its your own fault, I get that, but if the fooker just stops working through no fault of your own, I would never have gone to my mobile phone provider to get a replacement.
I didn't realise BT charge for that, it's free with KC. But when you moved in it will still have been a case of wiring a 'cross-connection' in the exchange, e.g. connecting broadband to your phone line at the exchange. Also I have no experience with Sky or BT, but there can't be any difference with reliability because they use the same lines. If you switch from one to the other nothing changes physically, it's still a BT line in a BT exchange. It's like changing gas company. Back to mobile providers though, the thing that pisses me off most is the complete lack of accountability. Ignoring phones etc which are included in the deal you're paying for a signal, but they don't guarantee you'll get a signal anywhere, and don't provide any support on how to resolve it if you don't get a signal. ISPs couldn't get away with that because it'd be frigging ridiculous. I can't see why mobile companies get away with it.
The actual line to my house, yes, the same, the switching equipment in the exchange, no, different. It shouldnt take 2 weeks for someone to throw a sodding switch, nor should it cost 140 quid. I have had lots of experience of those ****ers so yeah, they make my blood boil. Mobiles are getting better, by being forced to, but they are still laughing all the way to the bank at our expense no doubt at all there.
I've just given up trying to take out a new contract with the same provider but using a different agent, albeit my existing and proposed agents are both parts of the same company, and both are owned by my network provider. For an organisation whose stock in trade is communication, it's a farce. I've spoken to a lot of really nice people, but only a few that actually knew enough to shed light on where they'd gone wrong, and none that could correct the error. The worst and most ignorant were scousers.
You're right that the equipment will be different, but that hardly ever goes down. The vast majority of Internet issues are just problems with the copper wire connecting you. If an ISPs exchange equipment went down they'd lose loads of customers at the same time.
I've no issues with Sky's broadband, none at all, in fact they've been brilliant for the entire time I've been with them, and I've been with them a long time. Friends and neighbours with BT regularly have problems however, and BTs customer service and general attitude sucks big time. Second only to BT is Virgin. BT are the devil.
