We had a problem with Swisscom (Bluewin) recently.
Over new year we moved apartments, but in the same building (one floor up). We arranged with Swisscom to have our number and ADSL switched over.

To cut a very long story short, the phone worked but the ADSL did not. It took a week of phone calls, tall stories and fob-offs before someone finally admitted that our local ADSL port-server was full, and extra ports were still 6 weeks away.

But we have a port?? Not anymore.

As soon as they changed our home phone, we automatically lost our ADSL port to the next waiting customer. I argued for weeks after this and the best we got was "well, we won't charge you for ADSL in this time", like that was a special favour or something. They even admitted it was a mistake. And when they restored the service early (1st Feb), they did not even ring us to inform us.

The internet for us is not a luxury, but necessary for business. All I can say is thank god for wireless.

Hi litespeed, I was an ADSL customer - went through the pain of getting it right from the very beginning, and dealing with an ISP called Tiscali, which is probably one of the worst customer service experiences in my life. Back in those days dealing with cablecom was an absolute nightmare as well, but things seem to have changed. About a year ago I switched over from ADSL to cablecom and have been happy ever since. I also used the opportunity to switch over to their digital phone service - this gave me the added satisfaction of completely cancelling my ISDN line so my apartment is now completely Swisscom free. I've dealt with monopoly phone companies in a few countries and it is NEVER a pleasant experience. I'm so happy that in Switzerland cablecom at least provides some stiff competition in this sector - they have always managed to force Swisscom's hand in increasing ADSL bandwidth and lowering prices. If it weren't for them we'd still be paying for fortune for 256k! That said, cablecom still provides much more bandwidth (especially upstream) for a lower cost than ADSL! Anyway a bit off topic, sorry..

Bluewin will be addressing the bandwidth issue by June/July so that 600 @ 49 francs becomes 2000 @ same price.

I see cablecom bringing in more pipe for the same price and would expect 75 francs (that I'm paying now for 2000/400) to become 4000 or even 6000 at the same price.

Otherwise people are going to jump ship after cablecom has shown the desire to lead the way for so long with regards to high bandwidth at relatively low cost...

Actually I can see this going off topic, but I think there is plenty of discussion to be had in internet related issues, so I'm about to split off Litespeed's reply into a separate thread. That's one way to get back on topic

I had cablecom before and loved it, but the owner of our building won't let cablecom wire up this place . I know about Bluewin going to 2000kbps, but it is download only. Upload stays at 100kbps!! Lets call it UADSL (Ultra-Assymetrical Digital Subscriber Line).

I miss my old aussie optus cable, I used to get up to 5000kbps download before I left the country.

WRT upload speeds, for me it's quite important as I have a webserver at home and as Cablecom TOS are now, it's not in breach as they only forbid reselling the service....so my 400kbps up is GOOD.

For Joe Schmoe, however, 2000 down at 49 francs is far cheaper than 2000 down at 75 francs.....so the price will be driven down. It has to be.

WRT moving......I moved with cablecom + digitalphone, I told them about my move months in advance and it still took 10 days to come active.

They could've also allocated a new number to me and notified me BEFORE my move.

I am supplimenting my home phone/internet shortly with a WIFI phone that I will use via sipgate.co.uk - I have a phone number with them registered in my folks' locality....so they can call on the cheap and I can call out (say, to Sky or someone ) and appear in the UK. Fab

I think Cablecom will leave prices as-is and double bandwidth IN BOTH DIRECTIONS by July. 4000/800 anyone? Should be just enough!

check cablecom's web page - new announcement just made...

I'm on 2000/400 now, looks like it is going to 5000/500.

I love cablecom - keep sticking it to those bastards at Swisscom

FWIW I had not read that but WAHEYYYYYYYYYY

and I dumped 43 francs per month ISDN Lite for mobile phone and switched to Cablecom (phone) six months later.... Been with them ever since. I've had cable internet since I could get it......

holy crap, I'll take 6000 please

looks like I am now on a hidden bundle:
hispeed 2000 -> hispeed 5000 5000/500 CHF 75.–

Actually, that's annoying how they represent the prices and products on their page - I thought 6000 was down to 49,- but with phone connection only - that would be a great way of bundling products. And 100 francs fee to "downgrade" to a cheaper package?

So I'll be rebooting my modem tonight for the extra speed

Since we are now getting masses of bandwidth , I almost wonder if it isn't worthwhile to downgrade my line. Right now I pay 75 for the data and 20 for the digital phone for 2000/400. This product will become 5000/500. but I could downgrade to what will become to the 3000/300 product and still have more bandwidth for the new price of 45+20 - saving me 30 francs per month?

The notice period for a downgrade is 3 months, so by the time it kicks in the new products would be there.

One thing cablecom has always been good at is the new customer promotions - you know you pay less for the first 6 months if you are a new user. For example if you switch from ADSL to Cable and switch your phone at the same time you can get 3000/300 for just 29 per month for the first 6 months. Digital phone will still cost you 20 per month, but you'll be saving money by cancelling your swisscom line. Sweet deal.

Unless you can't get cablecom in your place in which case you are kicking yourself - but still be grateful that they are there - they are helping to keep Swisscom honest.

But before I end up singing the praises of cablecom - I'm seriously considering writing to them because I am sick and tired of being harrassed by their reps whenever I go shopping somewhere! Anyone else had this?

I had some sheep-shagging w@nker tell me that, come 2010, my satellite box won't work and I should get Cablecom Digital now.

And they should reward long-term customers as well as newbies. The mobile companies do, now....so why not cablecom? After all, there is frankly [almost] no extra cost to them to give you a boost to a new bundle FOC.

Well I'll just reward them by downgrading my package, paying less and getting more bandwidth :-) But seriously, cablecom have to be careful not to cut their own throats - what if more people decide to respond to these announcements by downgrading their packages? Let's not forget that as long term customers we are also getting a pretty good deal here!

Another angle to consider - they up everybodies bandwidth - how long will it be before they start selling us packages for IP-TV as well? Or if Swisscom wants to start doing this as well? Many people are now buying media center PCs for their lounge rooms - maybe soon this might become more popular!

Mark

to be honest, the ISP-type companies have a great great foot in the VOD market. I think Swisscom are stepping up to the plate here too.

Soon-to-be gone I guess will be the lonely walk to Blockbuster; instead....click-click-click and you have the latest movie available to you from your armchair and no searching, no out-of-stock disappointment and all at a reasonable price.

Cablecom should be laughing - more customers paying what they perceive is LESS than competing ADSL providers and getting MORE. They rely on people like me staying with *unlisted* packages and paying the same-old, same-old - especially having seen the price to downgrade.

But then again, I keep paying zero per month as people have mentioned me as the referring customer

Not quite sure what you mean about your unlisted package, and the price to change? To change is just 3 month's notice, there is no price to change.

As for video on demand - it's here today - p2p

Mark - go through the downgrade process and see that the 100 francs is there. Upgrading is of course free.

Unlisted == 5000/500. It's not available to new customers ergo the unlisted....

Interesting - well since they just made the announcement today I guess it will take them some time to figure out what to do with that list - I'm sure it is going to change. You are right about the downgrade - nasty... But then it says you can do it straight away - therefore no 3 month notice period. My potential saving is 30 francs per month, so it would take 3 months to be worth it anyway. Or maybe I'll just be too lazy - I guess they count on that fact...

Mark

Unfortunately CABLECOM still does not provide internet service to many smaller cities surrounding Zurich. But I can say I've been pretty happy with Sunrise plus they give me a free modem upgrade every year. Funny though, Swisscom called me today to ask me to come back to them. No way!

Sunrise / Swisscom - at the end of the day it's all still running over Swisscom ADSL, and they are busy screwing all of the providers at the same time.

I still won't forgive them for lying to us in the beginning about the amount of bandwidth they were giving us - counting the 10-15% of ATM overhead as part of our bandwidth total - outrageous. For those of you who remember Kassensturz finally caught them out and they had to come clean.

Funny - you are right, many people can't get cablecom in small towns out of Zurich. It's a bit like public transport.... Those of us who have cablecom will just spend our time going about how great it is, as if the entire country can have it. Those of you who have more limited options will shake your heads at our optimism... hehehehe

Oh evil Mark.... ok... laugh at us poor souls that are stuck with fewer choices.... LOL ....

Guys, I might go Cablecom soon. If you want me to refer to you, send me the details I need to fill in.