Slow connection frustrates Eircom’s internet users

PREPAID internet users who have subscribed to an Eircom flat rate package are finding it more and more difficult to get on line, particularly at peak times.

Subscribers who use an analogue phoneline to access Eircom’s Anytime package are experiencing particular difficulties in the afternoons and on Fridays.

The flat-rate package, which costs €29.99 per month, is tailored for heavy internet use but is being marketed at small businesses and those who use the internet during the day.

But more and more customers are finding it virtually impossible to get on line and even when they do, the service is slow and surfers often get kicked off line for no apparent reasons.

Customers using the dedicated 1893 number are typically finding it takes much longer to get onto their home page, even twice as long as on other lines, leading to frustration.

And when they look for technical support, they are directed either to a 1530 support number which costs 33 cent per minute or to the eircom.net support service on-line which they can’t access in the first place when having difficulties.

Eircom technical support staff said yesterday: “There are times when the service can be quite slow.” Another said: “There are some parts of the country where use is heavier than others and even more delays can be experienced.”

In its promotion Eircom says the benefits of the service include a single bill for phone and internet user, no minimum contract, unlimited email addresses, 50MB of web space, and unrivalled online support. But for some users, the service is proving more of a headache than a business tool.