Posted at 2009-10-21 09:28 BST by RevK
Update #0: 2009-10-21 09:39 BST

Whilst we do have some decrease in our costs for 21CN broadband lines
come January, we have had a rather sneaky cost increase imposed on us
from next month.

Rather cunningly this is not an announced price increase by BT, but a
more subtle change meaning we have 10% extra costs on 20CN and 21CN
lines.

This is just one of a number of subtle changes that mean increases in
prices, and it looks like another effect will increase our costs on
20CN and 21CN lines in January as well. Something that may in fact
negate much of the announced price reduction. Its not clear at this
stage.

For those that are interested, the change in November is that BT have
decided to change the way the handle the bandwidth between us and them.
At present we buy a committed rate and they cap the line at that rate.
Well, actually, they cap at 10% more than the rate. So if we need
110Mb/s we ask for and pay for 100Mb/s. Why they did this is anybodies
guess, but possibly so they could make this change without announcing
any sort of price increase. The new scheme from 1st Nov is that we buy
a committed rate and they will cap at that or a higher level if we
want, but any usage over the committed rate is charged for. On top of
that the extra usage is charged at 100th percentile and, after the
first pew percent, is charged at a premium rate. The upshot is that if
we want 110Mb/s we have to ask for 110Mb/s and pay for 110Mb/s, so a
10% price increase just like that!

However, we are not planning to increase our prices (other than VAT
rate changes).

We are planning to go ahead with a units based charging at the end of
the year so we can allow different usage for 20CN, 21CN, and Be lines.
We are planning to find ways to make this cleared and easier to
understand before the new pricing comes in to place as we know it has
caused some confusion. We may revise the planned 1½GB/unit for 21CN
peak usage though. The full announcement for new pricing from January
will be made 1st December and have the final usage rates.[IMAGE]

URL: http://aaisp.blogspot.com/2009/10/info-costs-increase-but-no-price.html

-- 
AAISP Status Blog
URL:http://aaisp.blogspot.com/

RevK wrote:
> Posted at 2009-10-21 09:28 BST by RevK
> Update #0: 2009-10-21 09:39 BST
> 
> Whilst we do have some decrease in our costs for 21CN broadband lines
> come January, we have had a rather sneaky cost increase imposed on us
> from next month.

Do you think BT have the same customer relations spin doctors as British Gas?

I just got a letter from BG With "Great news about your Dual Fuel Extra 
service" in large letters on both sides of the envelope, surrounded by stars in 
case I hadn't twigged what great news it is.

So what is the great news? Well, in about a week they are discontinuing the £99 
fixed cost boiler repair service for which I have paid nothing over the last 
year, and replacing it with a £99 fixed cost boiler repair service for which I 
would have to pay an "introductory offer" price of £2 a month (translation: 
once I'm hooked and the introductory offer expires, the price will go up to an 
unspecified level).

They have just removed my only incentive not to change from BG to a cheaper 
supplier. If only A&A had the option of doing the same about BT.

RevK wrote:
> We are planning to go ahead with a units based charging at the end of
> the year so we can allow different usage for 20CN, 21CN, and Be lines.
> We are planning to find ways to make this cleared and easier to
> understand before the new pricing comes in to place as we know it has
> caused some confusion.

Up until now I've ignored this change as I accepted your assurance that 
I'd be no worse off.

When you get closer to the actual wording that you intend to use, ask 
here for people's opinions. I have an amazingly advanced ability to get 
confused, so if you can make me understand, you are probably close to 
being ready.

-- 
Steve Swift
http://www.swiftys.org.uk/swifty.html
http://www.ringers.org.uk