telecom@bu-cs.BU.EDU (Patrick Townson) (11/06/88)
The other day I alluded to a hostile incident with the folks at Telenet regarding my own PC Pursuit account. I am pleased to report the matter was resolved effeciently by Michael Perez in their billing department. I am somehwat of a rarity on PC Pursuit in that I receive monthly invoices from Telenet and submit a check from time to time in payment. This is an option which was available in the very early days of that program -- like about four years ago -- but is no longer offered. I've had a PCP account since the first week the service was offered. According to Perez, there are just a few of us, less than a dozen subscribers, still on the direct billing program. What had happened was that from April, 1988 through August, 1988 I had only received one invoice. On inquiring at Telenet, I was told I was paid in full, which seemed unlikely to me, but I took their word for it. Then later, I spoke with Marilyn Schaeffer in the billing department who told me I owed <five> months of service! Well I immediatly sent a check to her attention for most of that, then last month I sent another check to be totally up to date. Somehow their remittance service (a bank in Philadelphia) was very late getting the check credited. My password was cut for non-payment! Perez took all the details, researched the matter and had me back on line shortly. Despite the problems people report with billing and file transfers, PC Pursuit is still one of the best bargains in computer networking available. The best long distance rates available to me are the AT&T Reach Out Plans, at $7.55 per hour - or about 12.5 cents per minute - after the first hour. My calls are generally from my home here in Chicago to Portal in San Jose, CA and to Boston University, where TELECOM DIGEST is now housed. If I had to pay long distance rates, the cost would be prohibitive. Despite the various complaints I've heard from other PCP users regarding the quality of service, etc, my personal opinion is that the Telenet network is essentially being given to us for free at night, less the cost of some administrative functions. You get what you pay for! Which brings me to my next point, and you should all listen up now: There are dark hints -- ugly rumors -- that PCP is being 'restructured' by the folks at Telenet, and that the $25 per month days are soon to end. Have you heard anything about this? I'm told they plan to raise the rates -- perhaps by doubling them -- and greatly expand the service in the process. They will probably increase the number of reachable (or Pursuitable) locations, as well as increase the number of outdial ports available. And there are some other new features planned, I am told. Worse yet, according to my source there, they *fully expect* to lose a large number of customers when the change is made, but gain a new group of customers in the process among folks who have asked for other features, and fewer time constraints, etc. Considering my own traffic, I'd probably go with $50 a month in exchange for the additional features, if it came to that, but I know many of you would probably discontinue your account. More news when I hear it, and if you have anything to add, please send along your notes. Patrick Townson