UTV Launch Flat-Rate Internet Package

dahamsta · 05-09-2002 11:09am #1

I haven't had time to look into the details. I'll leave it to you guys...

UTV Internet today launched voice and internet services to Irish consumers, becoming the only Internet Service Provider to currently offer flat rate access. The new services will be available throughout Ireland. They will provide consumers with savings of 25% on eircom call rates for local, national and international voice calls and off peak internet access (evenings and weekends) for a flat rate of €29.99 per month.

Further details of the newly launched services are now available at UTV Internet’s website, www.utvip.com, by telephoning 1890 926 000 or by emailing info@utvip.com

adam

daveg · 05-09-2002 11:15am

Just got an email from UTV internet. for €29.99 pm free off peak (6pm - 8am and all weekend) internet access. Go to

UTV Flat Rate

Wahhoooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!

(mod edit: as the first post in the merged thread, just cleaning up the link (and emphasising a little))

andreio · 05-09-2002 11:16am

THEY FINALLY DID IT!!!!!

UTV Internet today launched voice and internet services to Irish consumers, becoming the only Internet Service Provider to currently offer flat rate access. The new services will be available throughout Ireland. They will provide consumers with savings of 25% on eircom call rates for local, national and international voice calls and off peak internet access (evenings and weekends) for a flat rate of €29.99 per month.

Further details of the newly launched services are now available at UTV Internet’s website, www.utvip.com, by telephoning 1890 926 000 or by emailing info@utvip.com

Mr. Fancypants · 05-09-2002 11:19am

Just got that mail too. Wooohoo!

Seems to be all happening now...

Flat rate unlimited access off peak access... 29.99 a month

dahamsta · 05-09-2002 11:19am

Right, couple of things to get started. I notice a "UTVi" handle browsing the boards at the moment, feel free to step in if I get anything wrong:

First of all, there's a bundled telephony service. This means you'll have to take CPS too. Not such a bad thing in my view, it's less money going to Eircom when you get right down to it.

Secondly, yes, you can do ISDN. It seems to be single channel only though.

Thirdly, here's the important one:

11. Capacity

The Service has a finite capacity and we reserve the right to terminate any use of the Service which we consider profligate or to the detriment of our other customers. Profligate use shall be deemed to be in excess of 150 hours per month off-peak, with no restriction on peak usage. We hope to raise this limit in the near future.

For customers own protection there is a maximum session length of 2 hours and an idle timeout of 5 minutes. You may reconnect straight away if disconnected by either the session length or idle timeout.

UTV Internet would not expect to prevent you from staying on line, however if a single or group of customers' usage prevents other customers from using UTV Internet's network then UTV Internet may need to intervene. If you want a continuous always-on service from UTV Internet, you would be advised to lease a private circuit.

Fair enough, yeah?

Go UTV! Screw Eircom, screw Esat.

adam

Mr. Fancypants · 05-09-2002 11:24am

Took this from their FAQ...

Can I stay connected all the time?

A: This is not an ‘always on’ service. We have worked very hard to deliver a service that allows users to have a predictable monthly fee. Our own cost structure means that we meet the costs of your usage on a per minute basis. We’ve modelled this service to accommodate even the heaviest of Internet usage but cannot sustain use on an ‘always on’ basis. While on traditional services average Internet use is around 12 hours per month, UTVip will support usage of up to 150 hours off-peak use monthly. That’s around 5 hours per day, 5 days per week. We may raise or lower this monthly limit, but are confident that this will meet more than 99% of users usage requirements. We hope to raise this limit in the near future.

daveg · 05-09-2002 11:26am

mmm 1 phone call to UTV later the following terms apply...

150 hours max usage per month... use it more than that and your bumbed same as esat did :mad:

Also 3 month min contract and then 1 month termination notice.

mofu · 05-09-2002 11:28am

yes, just what I need. Can u guys give me some help.
I am currently using eircom, so do I have to change to utv for my phone bill? If so how much is it?

Thanks for any help.

MDR · 05-09-2002 11:30am

Adam,

nuts you beat me to it, I was just about to announce the product on behalf of the committee (Dannger is at the press conference announcing the product) ...

Should send Eircom and ESAT a nice little wake up call, will be interesting to see what the take up will be like. Time to vote with your feet lads, get out there and show your consumer power.

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 11:30am

Right, couple of things to get started. I notice a "UTVi" handle browsing the boards at the moment, feel free to step in if I get anything wrong:

Okey dokey

First of all, there's a bundled telephony service. This means you'll have to take CPS too. Not such a bad thing in my view, it's less money going to Eircom when you get right down to it.

All correct - on the above issue, you are right in that we can only allow a single channel to be connected at any one time. Obviously there is a lot more info on this product and we'll do our best to cover any questions on this forum....but meanwhile check out www.utvip.com for more info

Snaga · 05-09-2002 11:33am

Not to mention being disconnected every 2 hours

Not a big deal for home surfers (who wont be using more than 150 hours a month anyway) but I cant imagine many gamers going for this service.

Sure some online RTS games go on for longer than that!

Grand deal for anyone else though.

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 11:34am

A: This is not an ‘always on’ service. We have worked very hard to deliver a service that allows users to have a predictable monthly fee. Our own cost structure means that we meet the costs of your usage on a per minute basis. We’ve modelled this service to accommodate even the heaviest of Internet usage but cannot sustain use on an ‘always on’ basis. While on traditional services average Internet use is around 12 hours per month, UTVip will support usage of up to 150 hours off-peak use monthly. That’s around 5 hours per day, 5 days per week. We may raise or lower this monthly limit, but are confident that this will meet more than 99% of users usage requirements. We hope to raise this limit in the near future.

We still do not have access to a proper FRIACO modeled product in the ROI, so that is why this "limit" is in place. Obviously we'd love to have no limit (although this in itself is impractical as most UK ISP's implement some sort of profligate use clause), but I think we'd be waiting too long on Eircom to implement 1892/1893 models for us to take advantage of :-(

MDR · 05-09-2002 11:38am

From what I read this service is being provided without a wholesale FRIACO product being provided by the incumbant operator, I can only assume/hope that UTV Internet have taken steps to ensure it doesn't go the same way as the much lamented 'No Limit's from ESAT BT.

dahamsta · 05-09-2002 11:38am

Thanks for posting Martin. I'm sure there'll be lots of questions during the day, we'd appreciate it if you'd drop in now and then and answer anything outstanding.

Thanks again,
adam

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 11:39am

150 hours max usage per month... use it more than that and your bumbed same as esat did

We will be constantly looking at this limit over the course of time. Until we have a FRIACO product/model available from Eircom we have to implement some sort of threshold as we're being billed for every minute you use. We could offer 24/7 access at €400 per month.....but obviously nobodies going to go for that

Not to mention being disconnected every 2 hours

Again this is something we'll look at whilst the service is running and adjust accordingly.

daveg · 05-09-2002 11:43am

Well we could look at it this way....

150 hours for €29.99 - UTV
90 hours for €35.00 - ESAT
150 hours for €83.16 - Eircon

Also UTV's website says they will be able to offer broadband to the republic soon...

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 11:43am

From what I read this service is being provided without a wholesale FRIACO product being provided by the incumbant operator, I can only assume/hope that UTV Internet have taken steps to ensure it doesn't go the same way as the much lamented 'No Limit's from ESAT BT.

Indeed we have. And hopefully this will put the pressure on the incumbent to provide us (and yourselves) with a viable FRIACO model.

MDR · 05-09-2002 11:44am

mofu,

www.utvinternet.ie explains all ...

I am currently using eircom, so do I have to change to utv for my phone bill? If so how much is it?

You keep your Eircom line, so you keep paying your bi-monthily line rental to Eircom. Then you pay 30e to UTVInternet who give you flat-rate offpeak internet and cheaper phone calls. So your monthly standing charges go up, but your calls costs, particularily for internet go way down ...

daveg · 05-09-2002 11:46am

Do you think there would be any chance of an Eircon representative dropping in to answer 1 or 2 questions

SkepticOne · 05-09-2002 11:47am

This is good news. At last, users who were kicked off nolimits have a comparable product to switch to. Well done UTV.

spongebob · 05-09-2002 11:48am

Me mate sez to me...that..

Apparently it will be branded as Eircom Low-Cost or some such marketing crap. It will be an off peak only product.

The CD's will be ready by October and Dell will ship with every home PC between 1/10/02 and 31/12/02.

The Eircom 'Free' CD's will not be widely available from 01/10/02

Active Promotion of Eircom 'Free' to stop from 30/09/02, but it will continue to work.

M

Mr E · 05-09-2002 11:48am

Interesting that UTV internet have an online signup feature (while alot of our ESAT forms are still in the mail!).

Thats gonna cost ESAT....

- Dave.

PPC · 05-09-2002 11:49am

Sweet 64k isdn access aswell
ubersweet

dahamsta · 05-09-2002 11:50am

It's also important to point out that 150 hours a month is average /five hours a day/. That's a fair whack of connection time, especially when you're limited to off-peak hours (for the core product).

adam

zenith · 05-09-2002 11:50am

Well done to UTV Internet: Good product, good timing and reasonable T&Cs.

You've already got my business.

LoBo · 05-09-2002 11:51am

As mentioned above, it is not your fault that you have to implement a 150 hour 'limit' - that's fine.

However can you really shout out at the top of the website offering "Unlimited off-peak internet access for just €29.99 per month!" ? Surely its a 150hr package and not "unlimited" at all?

Just would not like to see innocent customers 'fooled'.

Otherwise, good job, hope to see real FRIACO soon

[edit: had the UK price]

Mr E · 05-09-2002 11:52am

Time for some thread merging, mods ??

- Dave.

frea · 05-09-2002 11:54am

This isnt exactly "UNLIMITED" (see below), however it is a step in the right direction.

SOURCE: ( http://www.utvip.com/ans.asp?id=318&type=cat&category=utvipsouth )

Q: Can I stay connected all the time?

A: This is not an ‘always on’ service. We have worked very hard to deliver a service that allows users to have a predictable monthly fee. Our own cost structure means that we meet the costs of your usage on a per minute basis. We’ve modelled this service to accommodate even the heaviest of Internet usage but cannot sustain use on an ‘always on’ basis. While on traditional services average Internet use is around 12 hours per month, UTVip will support usage of up to 150 hours off-peak use monthly. That’s around 5 hours per day, 5 days per week. We may raise or lower this monthly limit, but are confident that this will meet more than 99% of users usage requirements. We hope to raise this limit in the near future.

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 11:54am

It's also important to point out that 150 hours a month is average /five hours a day/. That's a fair whack of connection time, especially when you're limited to off-peak hours (for the core product).

Also don't forget that your cost during the day (peak) will be 25% less than Eircom's standard rate (3.8c).

LoBo · 05-09-2002 11:55am

ps - merge the three threads please?

Gerry · 05-09-2002 11:57am

I suppose that since most people don't use near that amount, its probably a reasonable enough thing to say.

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 11:59am

However can you really shout out at the top of the website offering "Unlimited off-peak internet access for just €29.99 per month!" ? Surely its a 150hr package and not "unlimited" at all?

Thats one for our marketing/PR people - I just make sure you get your email and theonion.com

But we are being upfront and honest about this limit and not hiding behind some "excessive use" clause that most ISP's would do until you received the Dear John letter.....

Tippex · 05-09-2002 12:01pm

Good Job UTV....

Glad to see a company out their trying to force Errrrrrrcon's hand in the whole situation.

I've just signed up for the service.

Here's to many more years of quality internet service from dna/utv internet.

Well done.....:D

LoBo · 05-09-2002 12:02pm

IMO the word 'unlimited' implies there are no limits...

still, it is a good offer for what we have available in Irland (no E :P). Shame I have to share net access with hordes of siblings who would surely cause us to be booted off

MrPudding · 05-09-2002 12:07pm

Originally posted by LoBo
However can you really shout out at the top of the website offering "Unlimited off-peak internet access for just €29.99 per month!" ? Surely its a 150hr package and not "unlimited" at all?

It might be an idea to make sure that the 150 hour limit is is mentioned in your adds to cover yourselves. Some other ISP's or even individuals may think about lodging a complaint with the ASAI.

On a happier note well done with the new product. I, as a user, have been singing the praises of the UTV standard dial up on the grounds that the quality of service is so much better than anything else available down here. I feel that this quality of service coupled with the generous monthly allowances will make this a very attractive product. Good luck and well done.

KdjaCL · 05-09-2002 12:07pm

Excellent news x 2

1 Flat rate

2 UTVi person on boards posting info (does customer service get any better????)

kdja

flamegrill · 05-09-2002 12:10pm

5 hours a day off peak for 30 euro a month is a great deal. I for one am signing up as we speak

- must get that credit card sorted now

Thank you UTV internet.

Eircom, Esat BT, screw guys im going to UTV :P

spongebob · 05-09-2002 12:12pm

.....as a thanks for the publicity here on boards..

M

Ph3n0m · 05-09-2002 12:15pm

ok newbie question here

if i sign up for this service, but only use the connection for off-peak connection, and keeping under the 150 limit, does tha tmean my monthly bill would be 29.99 plus whatever errorcom charge me for line rental????

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 12:17pm

It might be an idea to make sure that the 150 hour limit is is mentioned in your adds to cover yourselves. Some other ISP's or even individuals may think about lodging a complaint with the ASAI.

Actually we've raised this.....and removed it from the homepage - hows that for fast turnaround of reacting to customer comments?

Seems it was an oversight with the page moving between the preview to live version - obviously there are a few limits as are being discussed in this thread.

spongebob · 05-09-2002 12:18pm

In response

but only use the connection for off-peak connection, and keeping under the 150 limit, does tha tmean my monthly bill would be 29.99 plus whatever errorcom charge me for line rental

In short Yes, you are correct..

You should really (mail) ring UTV ask them and paste the Q and the A back in here though.

M

Tippex · 05-09-2002 12:19pm

Originally posted by Ph3n0m
ok newbie question here

if i sign up for this service, but only use the connection for off-peak connection, and keeping under the 150 limit, does tha tmean my monthly bill would be 29.99 plus whatever errorcom charge me for line rental????

Ph3n0m

That is the theory. Basically you should get your line rental bill from errcon and then all call charges would be billed by UTV.
Once you do not go over the 150 hours and only use off peak your call bill should be €29.99.

pork99 · 05-09-2002 12:19pm

30 euro a month for a service capped at 150 hours still beats the arse off paying those eircom parasites around 100 euro pm for a very slow unreliable "service"

sign me up!!!

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 12:21pm

if i sign up for this service, but only use the connection for off-peak connection, and keeping under the 150 limit, does tha tmean my monthly bill would be 29.99 plus whatever errorcom charge me for line rental????

Yes......but if you also made voice calls on your line we would be billing you for these (at Eircom minus 25% rates) as well. So your monthly bill would be €29.99, your Eircom line rental and any voice calls made during the month. Does this help? Your voice calls will be billed monthly via email by ourselves (we can provide a paper based bill, but that is charged extra). Also statements can be viewed online.

pencil · 05-09-2002 12:24pm

Groovy Baby!

UTV 150 hours for €29.99, I is going suning my ass on me hols and signing up as soon as I get back.

Well done UTV - vote with you wallet people!

Mr. Fancypants · 05-09-2002 12:28pm

So, even if someone wasnt interested in getting the flat rate internet, they could get the telephony service for no extra charge and immediatly have a 25% reduction on all call costs? And none of that goes to eircom apart from line rental? Seems like an opportunity not to be missed.....

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 12:34pm

So, even if someone wasnt interested in getting the flat rate internet, they could get the telephony service for no extra charge and immediatly have a 25% reduction on all call costs? And none of that goes to eircom apart from line rental? Seems like an opportunity not to be missed.....

Yes.....but obviously a portion of the call spend goes to Eircom - they are generally originating and terminating the call...but by taking the telephony package, you'd be cutting a fair chunk out of it.....:)

LoBo · 05-09-2002 12:34pm

Quoth the webpage:
"Flat rate off-peak internet access for just €29.99 per month!"

Good stuff UTVi, that is much more accurate

Before I sign up I have a couple more questions for you (and kudos for being a forum user!):

1) I (unfortunately) share the 56k internet we use with the rest of my family. Therefore it is very hard for me (the internet-knowledgeable family member) to control amounts of time spent online by other family members. What controls/warnings will there be when the 150hr limit is reached/neared? I would be perfectly happy to pay €30 for 150 hrs of offpeak access, and then have the system refuse to let me on until next month when we go over - rather than have UTVi give us the boot when it happens.

2) Is the 2hr disconnect automated and in place right now? I've heard/read about this sort of thing before and not seen it actually happen on the service

3) Presumably, I can find this out with some careful reading of the site... Is it possible to pay the email-bills via direct debit?
[EDIT: The answer was blindingly obvious (yes), and right there on the web page requiring no 'careful reading'

]

Thanks,
Colm

Gaz · 05-09-2002 12:35pm

Just seen this on the utvip.com website ... brilliant !

A sly dig at Eircum by any chance ??? Love it !!!

Martin-UTVi · 05-09-2002 12:38pm

1) I (unfortunately) share the 56k internet we use with the rest of my family. Therefore it is very hard for me (the internet-knowledgeable family member) to control amounts of time spent online by other family members. What controls/warnings will there be when the 150hr limit is reached/neared? I would be perfectly happy to pay €30 for 150 hrs of offpeak access, and then have the system refuse to let me on until next month when we go over - rather than have UTVi give us the boot when it happens.

This is currently not handled automatically, and is discretionary.....but we may change this in the future. But it is something we've been discussing internally.

2) Is the 2hr disconnect automated and in place right now? I've heard/read about this sort of thing before and not seen it actually happen on the service

Yes and yes.

3) Presumably, I can find this out with some careful reading of the site... Is it possible to pay the email-bills via direct debit?

DD or credit card are fine.

flamegrill · 05-09-2002 12:42pm

Martin-UTVi

quick question Martin:

Can we get the service without the telephony package? or is that just how you worked out the service?

Thanks,

Paul

UTV Launch Flat-Rate Internet Package

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