Telecom online usage meter ripping people off?

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38 posts

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#278542 1-Dec-2009 23:27

honestly telecom needs to get their act together this is the 3 simultaneous issue they have running at the time

exportgoldman

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#278564 2-Dec-2009 00:38

I've never found Telecom's usage meter to be very trustworthy, I know it always 'catches up' and is fine, but usage seems to roll into the meter in clumps, or not be there at all until billing time.

I loved XNET's usage meter which had a Windows desktop app which constantly updated. It was pretty sweet, perhaps I have been spoiled, but better to have good speeds, and a crap meter then the other way around I guess hehe. Not that I should be worrying, I'm on Big Time.

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Sheagae

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#278837 2-Dec-2009 19:15

exportgoldman:
I've never found Telecom's usage meter to be very trustworthy, I know it always 'catches up' and is fine, but usage seems to roll into the meter in clumps, or not be there at all until billing time.

I loved XNET's usage meter which had a Windows desktop app which constantly updated. It was pretty sweet, perhaps I have been spoiled, but better to have good speeds, and a crap meter then the other way around I guess hehe. Not that I should be worrying, I'm on Big Time.

I've noticed this also, usage will always seem to roll over into the next day. Not usually alot, but some does. However, this billing cycle with these crazy figures, there can be up to 1GB that rolls over a day.

Sheagae

208 posts

Master Geek

#278839 2-Dec-2009 19:18

Spong:
lukej: Ok well the update on this topic: Telecom claim everything is fine with their usage meter for my account, after admitting there are problems :s doesn't really add up.

There are people on here and gpforums that are experiencing this exact same problem.

But they have confirmed twice via email that nothing is wrong. This is ridiculous. Customers are very low on their priority list. I will be calling them up and wasting hours of my time trying to talk sense into someone, and will most likely be ignored and told i'm wrong.

How's Telstraclear these days?

I phoned Telecom last night, as I'm certain my useage is being metered at approx twice my actual data download. The CSR went away, came back and agreed there were many people experiencing this problem, and they are working on it. No ETA for a fix though, and they weren't able to confirm my account's affected. I now have to cut my useage to about 50% this month, otherwise my overage could cost a small fortune, and with no guarantees I won't be charged for overage. I find this unacceptable. My 40GB plan is currently at 25GB with 18 days to go, and I've been cutting back seriously. In addition, this month, day 1 of my plan showed 5GB, and I'm pretty certain nearly all of that was from the day before. Is it essential to reboot your modem on a Telecom connection to avoid this? (as suggested on the daily usage page.) If so, this is a pretty inaccurate method of charging for sure.

It does seem that the usage meter could be better. See the post below, he's right - if Xnet can make a reliable usage meter, then why can't Telecom?

Here's hoping we all get this sorted out!

MikeB4

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#279884 7-Dec-2009 08:50

The meters are all over the place . I was forced back onto the Bigtime plan to avoid a big bill for going over my limit even though I had not used anywhere near what Telecom was showing I was using .

I logged a fault with them and as usual I have heard nothing from them , their customer service is disgraceful. Their first and only reaction to any issue is deny deny deny .

I am now forced to endure degraded service on Bigtime as you can only change plan once a month.

Ragnor

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#279901 7-Dec-2009 09:54

I have to agree this particular issue has been very poorly handled by Telecom retail.

tardtasticx

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#279943 7-Dec-2009 11:27

mine was down for a few hours early this morning (from 1-4 i was actively checking it) and it told me to contact my service provider. lol

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vel

23 posts

Geek

#280153 7-Dec-2009 21:33

Having the same problem. Usage shown is double what it should be and we have been put on 64kbps now! Absolutely unacceptable. Just moved back from the city where Orcon was providing an exceptional service and now this.

Will give them a call tomorrow...

Gunja1

6 posts

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#280221 8-Dec-2009 01:47

my telecom usage meter hasnt worked since early november

ronindanbo

180 posts

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#280267 8-Dec-2009 09:00

The reason for usage meters rolling over at night is so that the usage readings can be synced up with Telecoms Singleview billing software this has its own problems (especially with the customers abilities to change plans at will). Also remember changing plans will make your usage figures somewhat confusing as the plan is billed by month and therefore part billing is applied for previous plan usage prior to the change.

Usage meter and traffic shaping has always been a Telecom problem as they have to use third party vendors to provide the service due to no in-house expertees after the IT cull in about 2001.

Batman

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#280276 8-Dec-2009 09:21

I am feeling that my 'usage' has 'shot up' since the last 2 months without any change in surfing behaviour on the part of any of us.

Is there anyway to proof or confirm this? I only have a thomson router (password protected wireless) with 2 wireless and 1 wired. Driving me NUTS!

Stu

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#280279 8-Dec-2009 09:27

Same issue here. Have been monitoring it for a while and something sure is fishy. Did they stuff something up when the TiVo data rules were added? The issue seems to have started about the same time TiVo was released.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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ronindanbo

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#280281 8-Dec-2009 09:29

its probably more to do with the upload policy change

Stu

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#280283 8-Dec-2009 09:30

Was the 'policy' created to cover up a stuffup also? wouldn't be the first time!

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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ronindanbo

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#280286 8-Dec-2009 09:36

I dont know, my thoughts are that not charging uploads has more to do with it as TIVO data rules would just ensure the usage meter would not pass a specific service type (as happened with go large and probably big time) or be ignored by the billing system therefore the change upload rules stuffing things up would be more logical to me.

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