Tiscali going down.. HELP....

jhp

MSE now says .

"Tiscali shares suspended from Italian Stock Exchange. The Italian parent company of the broadband and phone provider is in trouble, and its shares have been suspended on the Italian stock exchange (see Google News latest). Rumours are it's negotiating to sell its UK business to Sky. While existing customers are currently unaffected, its worth being wary about signing up for it. We will monitor this for existing customers and any updates will be here. "


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip/

macman

pipk62 wrote: »

This is worrying.

I only signed up in July last year, for 12 month contract, I have just e-mailed asking if I can get a MAC code yet stay with them (renewing MAC after 30 days if necessary)?

I'll let you know the response.

They won't give you a MAC while you are still in contract unless you buy out the rest of the contract. While they continue to trade, your contract stands.

Browntoa

last occasions this has happened BT have stepped in and taken over the service to give you breathing space to work out what to do next (you are not under contract with BT unlesse you choose to stay)

musical_norwich

jhp wrote: »

MSE now says .

"Tiscali shares suspended from Italian Stock Exchange. The Italian parent company of the broadband and phone provider is in trouble, and its shares have been suspended on the Italian stock exchange (see Google News latest). Rumours are it's negotiating to sell its UK business to Sky. While existing customers are currently unaffected, its worth being wary about signing up for it. We will monitor this for existing customers and any updates will be here. "


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip/

Its far too late now though, isn't it? Recommending an ISP with a terrible reputation for its product and customer service and that is not financially viable, with a 12 month contract, a reputation for mis-billing and sending in debt collector even where no debt is due? That leaves customers with a £100 bill to migrate to another supplier if they switch phone and broadband to Tiscali? That often provides broadband the speed of a 56K modem? That is really 'moneysaving', isn't it? That is really 'expert', isn't it? Still, all the affiliate marketing £££s will be in the MSE bank account by now...

tedsui

I have just read through all the postings on this topic with great interest. I am signed with Pipex until the end of March 09 and have experienced serious lack of BB signal for the last couple of weeks. I think this revelation is probably the push I need to get a MAC code and head back to BT! My download speed was 132 kbps on 7/3/09, whereas on 21/7/08 is was 984 kbps. On a good day I should get 512 KB as I live 2.94 miles from the exchange, but when it wet and windy, (something very regular where I live) then everything goes south, including the speed. What do others think, hang on or get my MAC code and go?

macman

If your speed is weather related then it sounds like the problem is on the local loop, so it's going to be down to BT to fix it anyway.
You've nothing to lose getting your MAC now if you are out of contract 31/3, then use it after that date.

duncansby

musical_norwich wrote: »

Its far too late now though, isn't it? Recommending an ISP with a terrible reputation for its product and customer service and that is not financially viable, with a 12 month contract, a reputation for mis-billing and sending in debt collector even where no debt is due? That leaves customers with a £100 bill to migrate to another supplier if they switch phone and broadband to Tiscali? That often provides broadband the speed of a 56K modem? That is really 'moneysaving', isn't it? That is really 'expert', isn't it? Still, all the affiliate marketing £££s will be in the MSE bank account by now...

You have obviously had a bad experience with Tiscali. However your constant Martin bashing in this thread isn't really helping anyone who is concerned about their internet/phone connection if Tiscali go under. Perhaps you could rant on the Praise vents etc forum

bobbyforeman

Quentin wrote: »

Euro1net ISP went down a couple of years ago, and caused their innocent customers loads of problems.

Their customers were left high and dry for around 3 weeks as their lines were tagged, but no-one could get a MAC.

It took all that time for the lines to be cleared, then their customers had to sign up as new customers with the ISP of their choice.

Everyone had to use dial up in the meantime.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/22/euro1net_disconnected/

That's exactly what I was afraid of. I am out of contract now and just requested a MAC from Tiscali. It arrived by email within hours instead of the 5 days they claim and they made no attempt to persuade me to stay. Okay, I've got my ticket out but next question is, where do I go? Which ISP will go down the pan next?

musical_norwich

duncansby wrote: »

You have obviously had a bad experience with Tiscali. However your constant Martin bashing in this thread isn't really helping anyone who is concerned about their internet/phone connection if Tiscali go under. Perhaps you could rant on the Praise vents etc forum

• Two posts aren't 'constant'.
• Martin deserves a bit of a 'bashing' for recommending terrible Tiscali, whose financial instability and appalling service has been well known for much longer than the last year.
• Users deserve to know that:
  • a) Martin knows little about broadband
  • b) Martin has a financial incentive for them to switch (as he did when he urged users to switch to very expensive long-term energy contracts)
  • c) It can cost over £100 to switch back from Tiscali to BT
• My 'ranting' is as much of a subjective opinion as your 'sycophancy', though I note that my post that 'isn't really helping anyone' received a thank you from another user it didn't help.

Quentin

It may be worthwhile downloading and storing any e-mails currently held on their servers you don't want to lose.