Fast4/V21/Biscit (merged threads)

JoanneJ

8 10 2006
I had the same cut-off after 60 mins from 0900 - 1600 which was a big pain.

F4 have to inform if they are choosing to restrict access (above the 1:15 contention) and NOT providing UNLIMITED access, when they sell a contract as such, breaks ASA rules. So they are on shaky ground.

The latest link they give, post changeover, is

https://secure.njpservices.com/members/default.asp?a_code=fast4

but has not worked in google for me. I instead go to speed-mail (the provider they issued on sign up last month) and the link there in the original 'YOU ARE BEING HANDED OVER TO V21' email, works to reach their members page.

Clicking on the link for F4 via a generic google result has not connected for days whereas previously it was always successful.

Had the usual troubles last night with connection via latest number (same as quoted by Geoffo); connects ok but no pages loading (so why be online?)

The search for another affordable DU goes on.

£4.99 pm for DU is not charity as you mostly only get 31kbps and cannot use this to view video (or even hear myspace music) and your phone is inactive during use, plus you have nothing like the speed of loading of B/B. BUT it is fine for me as all I do is surf and listen to streamed BBC radio. An extra £10 minimum for B/B (and with so many complaints on MSE by those on various providers) is just not attractive.

There must be an ISP who wants us DUUs? Or are we being hassled into B/B through lousy service?

The more B/B users, surely the more contention problems will arise for the exsiting B/B users.

alared

Geoffo M
I have NOT changed my dial-up number 08089933025 nor my speed-mail.co.uk email settings and everything is working OK today.

So it remains a bit of a mystery why some people have been told to change and others haven`t unless as I already stated,it is to take pressure off the system.
Now and again when I try to dial up I get a BT message saying the number is busy and to try later.
Maybe this is the reason for now having two numbers.

If you click onto this link
http://portal.v21.co.uk/index.asp?exec=members&channel=members%20login

on the left hand side third from the top there is a "log in" link.

Having gone to this link below a few minutes ago,it looks as though Fast4 is up and running again and still taking new members!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.fast4.net/_files/dial.asp

davidsonsl

I received the email stating the hand over but not asked to change my number either. I have emailed them this morning as after reviewing my bank statements they have taken an extra 5 payments in the last 18 months, have asked for a refund, and for my billing to be dropped to £4.99 as they are still charging me £6.99. I have also asked about dial up and access problems - will let you know if I get a reply.

Is anyone else switching - I refuse to sign up to BB with them if they are treating dial up customers like this, who is to say they will not do the same to try and force you to upgrade again???

leosayer39

Hi all,

Well well well

Here we go again.

I have had very severe connection problems, during evenings, last week. (Dont know about what was going on during the day due to work)

There was a stage where I couldn't get on at all.

I have not had any connection issues over this weekend and I am only booted off at the two hour point.

My connection speed is currently 49.2kps and this does not usually vary much.


Hi Alared,

Nice to know that we are both still very careful with our hard earned cash and still therefore with F4

I must have received the same e mail as you because I have not had to change my dial up number, or make any changes to my system at all. My connection number is the same as yours.

I don't use, and have never used F4's e mail address as I find it far easier to use gmail as my provider for email.
Using a web based provider means that I won't have to change my e mail address when I fanally take that huge leap to a new and faster internet connection.

I think that it's called wideband.... no... no... broadband.
I will probably end up using sky as my provider when my local loop is untangled

Cheers

Leo

tinman9898

oap wrote:

HI again all, well having problems trying to get on to V21 tonight to get the reply to them maybe charging twice for new b b, I have a e mail saying I have a reply, but cannot get into the members page!!! The two little tvs in task bar which flash blue, go dead!!!!! but I am still connected, weird, so will try again after this to see their reply!! To be honest I have contacted Fast 4 e mail members page and always got a very quick and polite reply and very helpful. Cheers, oap ps maybe they are trying to get us on b b. They succeeded with me!

By the way, last night I had a look at Pipex, having seen a bit about it somewhere on here, I did not proceed, but had put in my telephone number , they rang me today to say could they help, and had I signed up with anybody, so I was honest and told them I had signed up to V21 as a Fast 4 customer. They dont miss a thing do they???

I was with them for a year and they are terrible...see the posts on adsl guide...customer service is very bad and the keep you hold for a minimum of 20 minutes even if operators are available to get more cash from your call...billing is all over the place, they regularly take the wrong amount form you each month and trying to get a mac to leave is a nightmare....avoid them!

Geoffo_M

Alared - this is very strange. It seems like some are being given a new number and some are being kept on the old number. I've tried to log-in under the old number and each time it won't let me. I've just had a look at their FAQ's and 04.5 "How do I set my computer up" is giving the answer as using 0808 99 16234.

I had problems setting up my e-mail and newsgroups last night so am going to investigate this now. Going to look at that link you gave to V.21 as well.

JoanneJ - you should be getting a lot more than 31kbs, unless you've a small modem (no insult intended). Are you using a phone extension, or have other phone equipment/extensions/fax etc (ignore sky) attached in your home. Try disconnecting if you have and see if you get better results.

Good luck all

Geoff

alared

Geoffo M
Still using my old number and everything is "back to normal today".

Leosayer
Good to hear from you again and that you are still on F4.
Remember the bad old days when we had "sad eyes","more than I can say"trying to connect.
I never felt like dancing then but I guess the show must go on.

mrJ_5

I was following this thread before, I ahve since noticed that V21 was aquired by Biscit today. What you might find interesting, is that it appears Fast4 is no longer part of V21 for some reason, but now owned by NJPServices (https://www.njpservices.com)

if not everyone who is/was a fast4 user, did not receive a V21 email - then you are probably on this 'new' service - although this whole thing does seem a little odd to me

if you look at the contact details on the fast4 website, you'll see that the address has been altered - and the copyright notice a the bottom etc

alared

Got the following email today,although it`s got tomorrows date on it!!!!!

"London, 10th October 2006


Dear V21 Customer,

V21 and Biscit Are Now One!

On behalf of the board of directors, I'd like to welcome you to Biscit,
one of the country's leading telecoms and broadband providers.

You may have already learned about our acquisition of V21. We believe the
company to be a perfect fit for our group, allowing us to offer you the
same exciting combined voice and data packages that Biscit customers have
come to enjoy. freeMAX Home, freeMAX Unlimited and freeMAX Education are
just some examples and they'll slash hundreds of pounds off your phone and
data bills each year. You'll find a wealth of information about these and
other award-winning products on our website - https://www.biscit.net.

Biscit is a customer-centric company. We put you first and we'll go that
extra mile to keep your business. No longer will you receive technical
support from India, you'll be able to call our London-based customer
support teams whenever they're needed, every minute of the year.

Our service record is exemplary. For the 3-month period July, August and
September, Biscit's network backbone uptime was respectively 99.7%, 99.8%
and 98%. Server uptime for the same months was 99.89%, 99.62% and 99.91%,
and average waiting time for customers calling customer support was just
1.3min, 1.2min and 1.5mins.

In the coming months, we plan to transfer your V21 service to Biscit's
secure networks. The migration will be almost seamless, and you'll then
begin to enjoy all the benefits of our advanced infrastucture.

We've added an acquisition FAQ to our website, which should answer most if
not all of your questions. If you wish to call my office to discuss our
forward plans, please call the main Biscit number 0870 383 0030, option 5,
during normal working hours. My team and I will be delighted to take your
call.

Finally, Biscit operates a Refer a Friend program. If you recommend a
friend, and he or she signs up for any of our superfast broadband
services, you'll both win a free voucher to an Extreme Event such as
Kitesurfing, Motocross, Sailing or Wakeboarding. These high-octane
activities are held at locations nationwide. Alternatively, you can also
choose a voucher to a soothing Pamper Session. Please visit our website
https://www.biscit.net for further details.

Sincerely,



Hugh Paterson
Chief Executive
Biscit Internet Ltd.



This newsletter is published by v21.co.uk"

alared

All this fiddling can only mean one thing

---

a big price increase.
I smell a big fat rat all round.

Some people got emails saying no changes and others were given a new dial-up number and email address.

Looking on the Biscit site,there`s no mention of dial-up whatsoever

---

it`s all BB