BT letter

Noreen · Jul 14, 2008, 17:48:12

What do you think about this BT letter re Tiscali? http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=3399688&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=1

There's more on the Digital Spy Forum. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=842438

Rik · Jul 14, 2008, 18:10:08

It seems unethical, Noreen, at the very least. I think my first reaction if I were to receive one would be to complain to Ofcom.

Noreen · Jul 14, 2008, 18:19:57

Did you see this post on the latter site?

QuoteI phoned BT to ask them how they got this info re Tiscali customers and the line went dead.However,on the next attempt,I was told they (BT) got the info because we rent a line from BT.Got the impression they were not too happy about the call.

MoHux · Jul 14, 2008, 18:25:12

I had a similar letter and 'CV' a couple of days back, but not from BT ........ from PIPEX!!

Written as a job application, and saying they could do a better job supplying my business broadband, than my present provider!

I quote; " ........ haven't you ever wondered how much difference a really professional service (their italics) could make to your business?"

And " ......... Totally dedicated, completely dependable and always there when you need me ................. "

Having been with F2S when they were scuttled by these people, there's no way!!

Mo

Rik · Jul 14, 2008, 18:25:18

Quote from: Noreen on Jul 14, 2008, 18:19:57
Did you see this post on the latter site?

Yes. Very questionable behaviour.

Noreen · Jul 14, 2008, 18:30:44

Seems very "iffy" to me.

Rik · Jul 14, 2008, 18:31:52

It's exactly why Ofcom insisted on the separations within BT. This could turn into a clamour for a real break up of the company.

Simon · Jul 14, 2008, 18:40:49

I had one of the Pipex letters mentioned in the thread too. At first, I thought it was some sort of scam! Oh, wait...

ST Driver · Jul 14, 2008, 19:43:26

It looks like Pipex are as it as well a I have also had the letter and CV

I just shreaded it

Sebby · Jul 14, 2008, 20:13:35

We had one of those at the weekend. The funny thing is that we left Pipex in February 2007.

vitriol · Jul 15, 2008, 09:17:07

I got the Pipex "CV" too, shredded it, although I did contemplate sending it back with a letter not to bother me again.

Lance · Jul 15, 2008, 10:20:07

I feel left out as I haven't had one! I've never been with Pipex though, and left ~~Tis Tisc Ti~~ the bunch of untrained monkeys a year and a half ago!

Rik · Jul 15, 2008, 10:35:44

vitriol · Jul 15, 2008, 11:00:26

I probably only got one because I left Nildram, which was a part of the pipex group until the Tiscali buyout, which was the final straw.

It is then that I joined IDNet.

Lance · Jul 15, 2008, 11:12:34

and lived happily ever after!!!

Noreen · Jul 16, 2008, 17:05:28

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/news/bt-letter-to-tiscali-customers-raises-further-privacy-concerns-403.html

Rik · Jul 16, 2008, 18:05:19

Oddly, I got one from Pipex today, promising me a personal service - sold as if they were a consultancy...

Sebby · Jul 16, 2008, 20:31:57

I can't imagine they could offer any useful advice!

Simon · Jul 16, 2008, 21:02:32

Quote from: Sebby on Jul 16, 2008, 20:31:57
I can't imagine they could offer any useful advice!

Other than how to turn a good ISP to sh*te!

Sebby · Jul 16, 2008, 23:38:17

True!

Rik · Jul 17, 2008, 09:45:56

I put it in the "Nice try" file.

Gary · Jul 17, 2008, 10:03:25

Never been with any of them but the very idea people may happily shuffle off blindly into phorm land after this kind or in your face hard sell is just sad, there does really need to be a non biased way of getting to the mass audience of BB users and explain what is happening/will happen and what they are potentially letting themselves into

Rik · Jul 17, 2008, 10:05:29

You can lead a horse to water...

Gary · Jul 17, 2008, 10:22:14

Quote from: Rik on Jul 17, 2008, 10:05:29
You can lead a horse to water...

So true Rik

Noreen · Jul 22, 2008, 18:03:26

QuoteTiscali has begun legal proceedings against BT after the telco sent letters to its customers hoping to persuade them to swap to BT's broadband service.

The letter drew attention to rumours about the future of Tiscali's broadband service.

In a statement the firm said it had issued proceedings against BT "for defamation and malicious falsehood"..................

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7519625.stm

Rik · Jul 22, 2008, 18:22:59

Good for Tiscali (and you won't often hear me say that!).

I didn't like the bit in the report which said:

"As usage increases so will the pressures on ISPs thinks Arash Amel, an analyst with research group Screen Digest.

"The standalone ISP business model is looking increasingly shaky. For every gigabyte of data customers use the bigger the costs for ISPs and their small profits start to disappear," he said.

He believes only firms with other businesses, such as Sky and CarphoneWarehouse, can survive long-term. "

Noreen · Jul 22, 2008, 18:44:09

Well, to be honest I think that it will get harder. Big companies are offering more for less as far as the general public are concerned.

Rik · Jul 22, 2008, 18:49:51

I agree. Companies like IDNet are going to have to distinguish themselves in other ways to survive. I'm sure that Simon and Tim must be thinking hard about just how.

bob_s · Jul 22, 2008, 22:08:44

I find it a little amusing that tiscali / pipex are considering legal action against bt for the letter.

And to take legal for falsehood, would that be like saying they provide "unlimited downloads"

Rik · Jul 23, 2008, 09:31:02

Good point, Bob.

Gary · Jul 23, 2008, 09:35:03

Quote from: bob_s on Jul 22, 2008, 22:08:44
I find it a little amusing that tiscali / pipex are considering legal action against bt for the letter.

And to take legal for falsehood, would that be like saying they provide "unlimited downloads"

To be fair they do provide unlimited problems though

Sebby · Jul 23, 2008, 09:54:44

Quote from: Killhippie on Jul 23, 2008, 09:35:03
To be fair they do provide unlimited problems though

jimc · Jul 23, 2008, 23:07:57

surely some of these people's details should have been removed from the databases if they had left that provider ?
maybe one for the data protection act ?

regards
Jim

Gary · Jul 24, 2008, 07:37:39

Quote from: jimc on Jul 23, 2008, 23:07:57
surely some of these people's details should have been removed from the databases if they had left that provider ?
maybe one for the data protection act ?

regards
Jim

I think they are allowed to keep your details for X amount of time, Rik will probably know for sure

Rik · Jul 24, 2008, 09:49:17

The Act, iirc, says a reasonable period of time (why do we always draft laws that cost a fortune in the courts to be defined?). For an ISP, I don't think that should be very long, myself.

Oh, and there is one oddity in the Act, data can be kept indefinitely if it's to identify you as not wanting to receive mailings from the company.

Sebby · Jul 24, 2008, 13:07:54

I'm certain Pipex will still be holding my details from 18 months ago.

Simon · Jul 24, 2008, 13:57:36

They must be, to have sent out those 'job application' letters!

Lance · Jul 26, 2008, 08:38:53

That really is odd, Rik. Surely if they haven't got your data anyway then the have no details to contact you!

Rik · Jul 26, 2008, 09:28:58

If they buy a mailing list, they have to check it against people who have opted out. In order to do so, they are allowed to keep your data on file. Weird but true.