Orcon not competing for POTS+internet

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Orcon not competing for POTS+internet

OldGeek

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#105969 15-Jul-2012 14:08

Currently I have tolls+internet with Orcon and phone from Telecom. I got a mailout recently from Telecom for their current POTS+internet plan (http://www.telecom.co.nz/digital-content/assets/html/75plus2a.html) - basically POTS + 30gig Internet for $75 per month.

Looking around the Orcon website there is equivalent pricing but only with the Genius (naked broadband?) offering. I am wary of the Genius product because of the history.

I would be interested in feedback from Genius users - is the unit reliable and is the swap-over from POTS painless?

I am also interested in feedback on dropping POTS in favour of Genius (voice-over-IP?) - apart from the fact that POTS is externally powered are there any other considerations in its favour that Genius cant cover? Note that I have no hardware that uses the phone at home.

Thanks in anticipation...

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#655986 15-Jul-2012 14:23

Been on Genius since it was announced...

A one year update on my site here

XPD / Gavin

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OldGeek

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#655989 15-Jul-2012 14:40

xpd: Been on Genius since it was announced...

A one year update on my site here

Many thanks XPD - just what I was looking for

sbiddle

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#656040 15-Jul-2012 16:55

Orcon have essentially abandoned POTS for delivering voice and do everything via VoIP.

The biggest irony of this was that they received an exceptionally large multi million dollar settlement from Telecom last near over their (in)ability to deliver voice cost effectively due to issues surrounding SLES/UCLF.

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#656055 15-Jul-2012 17:37

The equivalent pots + 35GB internet from orcon is $105p/m

Kyanar

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#656097 15-Jul-2012 18:55

I really don't think Orcon want POTS or Business customers to be honest. Every pricing decision they do is Genius only, and if you're not on Residential Genius you're left with a plan so uncompetitive, you may as well be with 1990s Telecom.

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#656377 16-Jul-2012 11:45

Yeah I hear you I'm still waiting for them to make a decision one way or the other about increases to the DATA plans for those of us not on "genius"

I'll give orcon this they do have the full six pack of cans but they just lack the plastic thingy to hold them all together ....

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Kyanar

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#656409 16-Jul-2012 12:19

Well, I've just sent an ultimatum to their sales team. I am frankly sick of paying 400% of a residential plan for what I perceive to be inferior customer service and lower service overall.

$150 for 50GB when on Genius that gets you 200GB? Get real, Orcon.

old3eyes

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#656464 16-Jul-2012 13:33

Kyanar: I really don't think Orcon want POTS or Business customers to be honest. Every pricing decision they do is Genius only, and if you're not on Residential Genius you're left with a plan so uncompetitive, you may as well be with 1990s Telecom.

Orcon has quite a good SIP trunk system for business..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Kyanar

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#656538 16-Jul-2012 15:38

old3eyes:
Kyanar: I really don't think Orcon want POTS or Business customers to be honest. Every pricing decision they do is Genius only, and if you're not on Residential Genius you're left with a plan so uncompetitive, you may as well be with 1990s Telecom.

Orcon has quite a good SIP trunk system for business..

Maybe so, but I still need a DSL or Fibre line to attach to it. Fibre isn't available in my area, so that just leaves DSL. And Orcon seems dead set on making that as expensive and poor performing an option as possible.

OldGeek

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#656603 16-Jul-2012 18:50

Thanks fot the feedback folks. I am tossing up whether to go to Telecom for their (POTS/ADSL) special or to go with Genius. We have 4 cellphone users in the household as backup to a Genius failure.

Bee

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#656661 16-Jul-2012 20:45

My mind has been made up! One call - answered in 2 rings! - and its bye bye Orcon! :)

Doing your best is much more important than being the best.

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#656764 16-Jul-2012 23:19

Bee: My mind has been made up! One call - answered in 2 rings! - and its bye bye Orcon! :)

So who did you move to?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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#656773 16-Jul-2012 23:58

openmedia:
Bee: My mind has been made up! One call - answered in 2 rings! - and its bye bye Orcon! :)

So who did you move to?

Interested to know what ISP doesn't have an IVR on their main number or unless you called a sales number they usually pick up very quick for obvious reasons.

Then when you hang up they run around like little leprechauns looking for somewhere to hide the gold they just found, as rainbows usually don't appear inside.

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Kyanar

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#656968 17-Jul-2012 12:06

So I got a response from Orcon sales. They're "currently upgrading our business plans to provide a more reasonable but competitive pricing plans but we are still planning these changes and there is no current release date yet". I'm a little confused, since currently upgrading and still planning are mutually exclusive, and the sole solution offered of switching one or more of our lines back to Residential seems a bit half-assed. Seems it might be time to start reconsidering my options. Pity Genius isn't available without a bloody long contract or I might test the waters with that.

xpd

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#657007 17-Jul-2012 13:19

Genius is available contract free but you get hit with an install fee and a different monthly fee. ($80)

XPD / Gavin

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