waiting lists and changing isps

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gareth41

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#114016 5-Feb-2013 11:20

If you're one of the lucky few to have a broadband connection in an area where there's waiting lists, will initiating a change of isp's force you to lose your connection all together and throw you to back onto the waiting list?

The reason I ask, a friend of mine had Vodafone knocking on their door offering them a deal if they changed from Telecom, and there are definitely waiting lists in their area for broadband, heard this from people up the road.

Ragnor

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#755986 5-Feb-2013 11:33

Do not cancel with the old ISP until after the new ISP has completed the takeover of the connection and they should be fine.

Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

#756029 5-Feb-2013 12:33

Ragnor: Do not cancel with the old ISP until after the new ISP has completed the takeover of the connection and they should be fine.

It depends on what sort of change is happening. For example if a customer is switching from UCLL with their existing provider to UBA with the new provider I would be very cautious because the two technologies are using different equipment. That is technically a disconnect/reconnect.

But if it is an existing UBA connection switching to UBA with the new provider it should be fine as it is a straight transition from one to the other ie a billing change only. That is my understanding.

The views expressed by me are not necessarily those of my employer Chorus NZ Ltd

Ragnor

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#756063 5-Feb-2013 13:18

He's mentioned they were on Telecom now, so it would be from service provided over Chorus xUBA to whatever Vodafone are using in their area.

Probably worth checking if they are in the Vodafone "red zone" ie: connected to an exchange where Vodafone has their own DSL equipment (rather than using Chorus).

Jaxar

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#756096 5-Feb-2013 14:23

Ragnor: Do not cancel with the old ISP until after the new ISP has completed the takeover of the connection and they should be fine.

This is the really critical part. Other than this the only risk is some sort of significant mistake made either at the new provider or the old and for this type of request it is actually hard to get it wrong as long as the customer does not prematurely cancel.

Please note: I have a professional bias towards Vodafone.

mattwnz

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#756112 5-Feb-2013 14:55

Get the new ISP to confirm in writing that it will be a straight switch with no problems, and that you won't go on the waiting list. That way if something does go wrong, you have an assurance in writing. Obviously cold calling/visiting works, but if they want to seal the deal, they would need to offer some assurances in writing.

DravidDavid

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#756113 5-Feb-2013 14:56

Jaxar:
Ragnor: Do not cancel with the old ISP until after the new ISP has completed the takeover of the connection and they should be fine.

This is the really critical part. Other than this the only risk is some sort of significant mistake made either at the new provider or the old and for this type of request it is actually hard to get it wrong as long as the customer does not prematurely cancel.

If I were you I wouldn't risk it just to get a better deal.

If someone stuffs something up there is no going back. You are back on the waiting list without internet again. I've seen incorrect churns terminate peoples accounts. They call wondering why they have no broadband and end up on a waiting list.

If you end up getting broadband, its not worth the hassle. I'd be sticking with the company I ordered it with unless I knew ports were available and there was no waiting list.

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mattwnz

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#756138 5-Feb-2013 16:07

DravidDavid:
Jaxar:
Ragnor: Do not cancel with the old ISP until after the new ISP has completed the takeover of the connection and they should be fine.

This is the really critical part. Other than this the only risk is some sort of significant mistake made either at the new provider or the old and for this type of request it is actually hard to get it wrong as long as the customer does not prematurely cancel.

If I were you I wouldn't risk it just to get a better deal.

If someone stuffs something up there is no going back. You are back on the waiting list without internet again. I've seen incorrect churns terminate peoples accounts. They call wondering why they have no broadband and end up on a waiting list.

If you end up getting broadband, its not worth the hassle. I'd be sticking with the company I ordered it with unless I knew ports were available and there was no waiting list.

Thats why you need to get a guarantee that nothing will go wrong and in writing, and frankly if companies are going around houses cold calling, they should be offering this. So if it does go wrong, they then provide free wireless connections or similar while it is resolved.

webwat

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#756698 6-Feb-2013 20:12

Jaxar:
Ragnor: Do not cancel with the old ISP until after the new ISP has completed the takeover of the connection and they should be fine.

This is the really critical part. Other than this the only risk is some sort of significant mistake made either at the new provider or the old and for this type of request it is actually hard to get it wrong as long as the customer does not prematurely cancel.

But mistakes do happen, and once chorus have connected up someone else from the waiting list onto your port they cant really just take them off again. Normally a simple change of ISP is reasonably safe, and if its in Voda's redzone then you should be more concerned about whether you get a real landline or just a voip port on their modem -- both are good but make sure you understand the limitations of each.

Time to find a new industry!

Jaxar

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#756836 7-Feb-2013 10:16

Vodafone's Red Zone is a UCLL network connected to VF equipment at the exchange not VOIP. If the customer is in a VF Red zone this actually makes it less likely that they would have any trouble with a waiting list as the waiting list is for ports on Chours equipment not on VF's or other UCLL providers.

Please note: I have a professional bias towards Vodafone.

NonprayingMantis

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#756865 7-Feb-2013 11:21

it SHOULD be fine, but there have been plenty of examples where a cock up somewhere along the line boots you off and then there is nothing you can do about it other than wait or use 3G.

mattwnz

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#757029 7-Feb-2013 17:14

webwat:
Jaxar:
Ragnor: Do not cancel with the old ISP until after the new ISP has completed the takeover of the connection and they should be fine.

This is the really critical part. Other than this the only risk is some sort of significant mistake made either at the new provider or the old and for this type of request it is actually hard to get it wrong as long as the customer does not prematurely cancel.

But mistakes do happen, and once chorus have connected up someone else from the waiting list onto your port they cant really just take them off again. Normally a simple change of ISP is reasonably safe, and if its in Voda's redzone then you should be more concerned about whether you get a real landline or just a voip port on their modem -- both are good but make sure you understand the limitations of each.

One of the ISPs though has to take the blame if you end up going on a waiting list after a simple ISP change, and that would probably result in the offending ISP arranging another form of connection while they are on the waiting list, and them wearing the cost for the difference. That is if they can't get them back off the waiting list. Mistakes do happens, but their are always consequences/costs to mistakes.

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Cbfd

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#757031 7-Feb-2013 17:20

Some isp changes can also need a port change as well - so be careful its not worth the risk tbh

lucky015

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#757187 8-Feb-2013 02:43

mattwnz:
webwat:
Jaxar:
Ragnor: Do not cancel with the old ISP until after the new ISP has completed the takeover of the connection and they should be fine.

This is the really critical part. Other than this the only risk is some sort of significant mistake made either at the new provider or the old and for this type of request it is actually hard to get it wrong as long as the customer does not prematurely cancel.

But mistakes do happen, and once chorus have connected up someone else from the waiting list onto your port they cant really just take them off again. Normally a simple change of ISP is reasonably safe, and if its in Voda's redzone then you should be more concerned about whether you get a real landline or just a voip port on their modem -- both are good but make sure you understand the limitations of each.

One of the ISPs though has to take the blame if you end up going on a waiting list after a simple ISP change, and that would probably result in the offending ISP arranging another form of connection while they are on the waiting list, and them wearing the cost for the difference. That is if they can't get them back off the waiting list. Mistakes do happens, but their are always consequences/costs to mistakes.

The simple answer is that any ISP will turn you down rather than make a guarantee they have no right to make like guaranteeing a connection, If for any reason the connection is unable to be transferred (active or not) you will be placed at the bottom of a waiting list by chorus, This is something no ISP has any right to challenge due to their service contracts.

In short no ISP can ever guarantee a connection and the contracts you are required to agree to for a connection allow for it for this very reason, Under no circumstances would any sales agent want to or be allowed to void this contract.