V21/Biscit Customers Locked out of Internet!!

schmooz · 16 November 2006 at 1:17PM

Hi, I am sure there are many fuming V21 customers out there who have recently been the victims of a Broadband Hijacking by Netservicesplc.com but who are unable to get online in order to voice their fury!!

Netservices plc has prevented V21 customers from accessing the internet due to a dispute between V21 and Netservices. (I'm currently having to sit in my sister's house and write this!) When V21 customers try to get connected to the internet, they are given the ultimatum that in order to get internet access they must sign up (for double the cost of course), to service provider Ezeedsl, part of the 186k group.

The background to this lockout is that V21 (recently taken over by Biscit) have been in dispute with Netservices plc regarding "burst bandwidth charges" and have queried invoices from Netservices with the result that Biscit are now taking legal action against Netservices and seeking "substantial 7 figure damages ". According to Biscit "The legal action results from NetServices decision to novate some of V21's customers to another service provider."

So the upshot is, I can't obtain my mac code from Netservices plc because their policy is that they do not deal directly with customers (!) and "To do so would be a breach of our customers (ISP and resellers) confidentiality. Providing MAC codes to end users directly we would also directly undermine the wholesales model and the business of our resellers."!!! In other words they want to force US, the V21 customers into signing up to their Ezeedsl rescue package.! Does anyone smell a rat here, or a whole cageful?

My main gripe is that I want to get on the internet. I'm prepared to forgive and forget V21/Biscit. I just want to cut my losses and get back online with a good reliable, value for money ISP who won't let me down again! Having said that, I would obviously prefer to be compensated, or indeed stay with my current provider as, until the past couple of months, I was reasonably happy with them as ISP's go.

I am now faced with the likelihood of a long drawn out and very very inconvenient battle to get back online with another provider and feel I am caught in the middle of a battle between two companies who do not seem to care about the fate of customers such as myself. I have been with V21 for 2 years and feel completely let down and cut loose without the means to solve my problem.
Does anyone else (who can actually get online) feel the same and if so, can you post your views and give advice!! PLEASE...bearing in mind that in order to reply it will involve a drive to another location to get online!!

thank you!!

See more detail here: http://www.v21.co.uk/mediacentre/index.asp

normanmark · 16 November 2006 at 1:46PM

Indeed, not an ideal situation. The score is that Netservices will be placing ceases of broadband on customers lines on 24th November. The earliest customers can then reapply for broadband with another supplier will be on or after the 8th December, no earlier.

schmooz · 16 November 2006 at 1:51PM

I just so wish that I had done what my gut was telling me a couple of months ago and changed providers from V21/Biscit. But no point in crying over spilt milk. Surely somebody out there can use their muscle to end this misery for V21 customers like myself who completely depend on their broadband connection for business and domestic purposes.
I am shocked that 8th of December is the date of release for V21 customers. Does anyone else have any more news??
thanks

cat_saving_expert · 16 November 2006 at 1:52PM

Have a look at this thread for more info http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=274493&page=32

I have the same problem

but at least I could use my brothers internet connection last night to sort out getting the free dial up connection from v21 to keep me going for now, not ideal but at least something!

weaver33 · 16 November 2006 at 2:16PM

Hi Newbie here, and totally cheesed off.

Was with dial-up free24-7.net for years until upgraded to BB with V21 for one month and then this:mad:

Thanks to whoever posted the info about reverting to V21 free dial up

0808 9933025

Use the first part of your V21 username before the @

I haven't tried this yet as I'm in the local library typing this frustrated note to you all.

There must be something we can do? Can Martyn advise us? Are there any trading standards or legal experts here?

There seem to be plenty of us affected by this Hi-jacking, so let's pool our resources and find a solution!

cat_saving_expert · 16 November 2006 at 2:49PM

OK Just got off the phone to Ofcom - number : 02079813000, they are aware of the V21 situation but can't do anything about it yet.

I haven't complained about V21 but the other companies involved - Ezee and Net services for blackmailing us into the situation of either signing up for there over priced broadband or going without broadband for weeks, they have said if they get enough complaints they will 'take action' whatever that means.

So phone them up and let them know about your complaints, don't select the 'if your a v21 customer' option that just leads to a recorded message and you get cut off, just wait to speak to an actual person.

weaver33 · 16 November 2006 at 2:54PM

It's ACTION TIME!

schmooz · 16 November 2006 at 3:03PM

I've even tried contacting Working Lunch to see if they will highlight this problem and shame V21 and Netservices into action. Hopefully no one is going to sign up to Biscit from this site either. Are there any Biscit customers out there who might be willing to throw their weight behind us in complaining to the companies involved? and if so have they been similarly affected??
cheers
Shmoo

weaver33 · 16 November 2006 at 3:06PM

:T Well done schmooz!

Let's contact all press and business editors we know and make sure this issue hits the front pages of as many publications as possible!

schmooz · 16 November 2006 at 3:22PM

Hi, the latest is my keyboard is on fire from my fury and I've contacted Watchdog on their contact form to see if they will highlight the issue and bring pressure to bear..
away for a rest now... :-)

*power to da people!!*

cat_saving_expert · 16 November 2006 at 3:28PM

Watchdog - great idea! I will go and do the same right away

V21/Biscit Customers Locked out of Internet!!

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