🚀 go-pugleaf

On Thu, 01 Mar 2001 22:48:31 +0000, Timothy Lyons <timl@kulath.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>Malcolm,
>Thanks for the reply, but you don't explain why Demon impose this restriction.

We can only allocate numbers, we can not control charging or
availability (of the telephone connectivity) by time of day.

Our g5 number gives the ability to remain connected 24 by 7. Whilst we
have no objection to this, it is an expensive service to provide due
to the additional equipment / resources it 'ties up'.

In general it is business users that will make use of 24 by 7
connections so we recover some of the cost of providing the capability
by charging more for those that use it during the working day.

>First, this does have to do with Macs, because for PCs there are apparently
>a number of DUN (Dial Up Network) managers that will automatically change
>the number dialed according to the time of day.  I am not aware of any such
>programs available for theMac, so my question was, is there any such
>program available.

Indeed, but this is not really our 'problem'. Were Macs as popular as
other platforms I have no doubt such software would have appeared
before now.

>Second, it does  have to do with Demon, because Demon restrict connection
>to g5 numbers during the day. Now, I have no objection to Demon doing this,
>Demon make their charging arrangements quite clear, and I am quite happy
>with the charges.
>
>However, Malcolm, could you please explain why Demon impose this restriction?

See above.

>As I see it, BT provide an E&W Surftime customer with a number that I can
>call free in E&W, and for something like 1p in the day. Now Demon do not
>make this number available during the day to Premier Connect customers,
>which gives me an inconvenience because there is no easy automatic way to
>choose the phone numbers. As I say, Demon a probably acting quite
>rationally and reasonably in  imposing this restriction, but I would like
>to know why.

From your comments above a) we have no choice over how the telephone
side 'works' and b) you also point out the deficiency appears to be in
support for your chosen platform.

>Since BT offer this free/1p tarrif that is not used by Premier Connect
>customers, I would like to know on what basis I should make representations
>to BT/OFTEL, to explain that this tarrif arrangement is not convenient.

I would feel that OFTEL will not be interested in simple
'inconvenience'. You can remove the restriction from our end by paying
for a Premier Connect Plus service (an additional 8.24 GBP a month).
You do not need to pay for any BT Surftime discount to use the g5
number (but may find it beneficial to do so).

I do sympathise that the charging schemes in the UK are
unnecessisarily complex to ensure you are getting best value. That
however is not an issue for Demon, we simply try to ensure we allow
access by as many of the available options as possible.

-- 
Malcolm S. Muir                               Demon Internet
Sunderland                                    322 Regents Park Road
England                                       London N3 2QQ