False advertising and passing the buck

<p>I recently subscribed to Mweb's 8Mb/s (Downline) 1Mb/s (Upline) capped ADSL package. Turns out that Telkom doesn't support these speeds and stated that Mweb has no right to offer UL speeds of up to 1Mb/s on their 6Mb/s and 8Mb/s packages since Telkom restrict UL speeds to 0.4 Mbs.</p> <p>Mweb's response when asked why they were making false UL speeds claims for their 6 and 8 Mb/s packages - "Telkom controls the speeds - it's up to them - we cannot change the speeds."</p> <p>Mweb is quite happy to sell packages claiming the above 'up to' figures however as stated Telkom confirms that the UL speed claims cannot be delivered. 0.4 Mb/s is a long way off from 1Mb/s!</p> <p>This is clearly false advertising.</p> <p>After weeks of frustration my internet connection is now non functional - I am 1km away from the local exchange, my SNR and attenuation figures are excellent - and my line is of excellent quality - confirmed by Telkom ADSL techncian. Mweb has these test results not that my line has anything to do with these package claims.</p> <p>Where is the consumer protection in SA?</p> <p>ISP's in SA seem to be able to get away with day light *******.</p> <p>Imagine if other business sectors were allowed to hide behind the 'up to' legal catch all phrase. You buy a car - drive out of the showroom and come to a grinding halt. You get out of the car only to discover you have only 3 wheels. You phone the car company and they say it's not their fault it's the tyre manufacturers. You consider legal action but after looking at the small print you discover the words 'up to 4 wheels'.</p> <p>In most countries overseas ISP's now have to legally deliver within 95% of the claimed DL & UL speeds or face a fine from the government ombudsman.</p> <p>Time for SA ISP's to stop hiding behind Telkom and for Telkom to be privatised. Only then will SA be able to compete with the rest of the world. Every year we fall further and further behind the rest of the world.</p> <p>In the mean time I wait for Telkom and Mweb to fix my internet connection. Do I get any compensation for paying for a non existent service? Of course not.</p>